I'm completely overwhelmed by the reviews - I apologize if you're tired of reading that but I'll never be tired of seeing them! This chapter is incredibly long (9000+ words) so I apologize, but I thought about splitting it up and then I couldn't. I felt like it all needed to go together. I hope you enjoy it, and have a great week! I don't know about you all - but I'm experiencing some spectacular fall weather in KY and I am loving it!
Hermione waved at the front desk lady at the gym before tucking her earbuds into her ears and entering the cardio room. Draco found it incredibly odd that she liked going to the gym, as he never saw the appeal of working out among others. Draco preferred a run in the park. He told her if she liked the equipment so much, he'd turn one of the rooms in the house into a workout room, but Hermione liked going to the gym. A Muggle facility, it was the same gym that her parents used to take her to when she was little. It was where she took swim lessons and where she spent her summers, participating in various day camps while her parents were at work. She of course, would have preferred going to summer school, but her parents wanted her to experience things outside of the library. They weren't prepared for the type of student Hermione would be, but they knew they were in for it when after the first day of kindergarten, she walked to the car completely perplexed that there wasn't any homework.
It was at the gym that Hermione found it best to clear her head. Her headphones blasting her latest playlist, she hopped onto the first open treadmill she saw open, put her water bottle in the holder, and jammed her thumb into the up arrow until she found her pace. Hermione's schedule for today was a good three to five mile run, a nap, and then getting ready for the New Year's Eve gala at the ministry. She heard a rumor that the event committee was turning the lobby area into a magical winter wonderland - not exactly original - at least that's what Hermione thought, but when magic was involved, anything was possible. Hermione hadn't initially planned on coming to the gym this morning, but when she heard that Narcissa wanted to get ready together, she figured a workout and a nap would put her in the best possible mood.
She hit the up arrow twice, her pace picking up as she pumped her arms with each stride. It wasn't that she didn't like Narcissa. They were still getting used to each other. Some days were great - and the two of them could sit, laugh, and chat for hours without a single moment where either sat there, trying to figure out what to do next. Then there were days where Hermione felt like every move she made was being judged by a woman who still wasn't all that wild about when it came to her only son. She understood the protectiveness. She was an only child. Her parents would have been the same way. They were that way. Harry always laughed about the time he came to visit Hermione the summer before sixth year. Her father, usually a jovial man, did nothing but glare at the poor boy until he realized that Harry would be a solid ally of his later that afternoon. Her father watched Harry as he stood in his swim trunks, waiting for Hermione on the patio. When Hermione walked outside in a black bikini, Harry and her father both yelped.
"What in the hell are you wearing!" Harry yelped.
"A swim suit," Hermione replied. "Mum bought it for me."
"Jean!" Mr. Granger bellowed. His wife appeared by the patio door moments later. "What in the hell is our daughter wearing?"
"Richard, please," Mrs. Granger scoffed. "She looks perfectly fine."
"You look like you're swimming in your underthings," Harry said, making a face.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm sure if Ginny were wearing this you'd have no problem with it."
"Yes, but, well, of course not but, I mean, come on, 'Mione. You're like my sister."
"Well then I guess I'm not going to have to worry about you getting fresh then, eh, Mr. Potter?" she teased.
Harry made a gagging noise. "I think I just threw up."
She laughed at him, an arm across her stomach. "You're ridiculous." Before she knew it, Harry threw her over his shoulder and took a running leap into the pool. Hermione shrieked and Harry laughed as they hit the water. Popping up, Hermione sputtered, smacking Harry in the chest after she pushed her sopping wet hair away from her face. "Are you mad?" she asked.
"Just showing you what ridiculous looks like," Harry teased. "Also - don't wear that suit around Ron. He may be daft, but he isn't blind, and I'd probably have to deck him."
"You'll do no such thing!" Hermione gasped.
"I would," Harry stated. "Because he doesn't deserve you."
"Potter!" Mr. Granger called from the patio, flipping burgers on the grill.
Harry and Hermione looked to the man, who had a hint of a smirk on his face. Harry grinned, and Mr. Granger returned it with an approving nod. "Merlin," Hermione groaned. "Between the two of you I'll never get a date."
"So?" Harry and Mr. Granger replied at the same time. As they laughed, Hermione sunk beneath the surface of the water in frustration.
Hermione smiled at the memory, and then remembered that thinking about Narcissa triggered it. She had to figure out a way to at least attempt to be on the same page as the woman, that is if she ever wanted a future with Draco. She would never make Draco choose between them, nor would she ever let him. Someday it wouldn't just be her and Draco. She hoped there would be children in their future, and with Narcissa as the only living grandparent…Hermione sighed. She and Draco had been talking about their future more and more, and while she knew Draco had every intention of proposing, she didn't know when. Hermione wondered if Draco had even talked to his mother about his plans for the future, and how they involved her. Her being Hermione, that is.
She had to stop thinking about Narcissa. Tonight was going to be stressful enough and with his mother on top of it, and she wasn't in the mood to overestimate the powers of a nap. Hermione and Draco were officially coming out, so to speak. Rumors had been flying for the past few months, and while the two of them did their best to keep their rendezvous in the Muggle parts of London and their relationship tightly lipped at the Ministry, the wizarding world was a hard place to keep secrets with the Rita Skeeter types running a muck.
She glanced at the treadmill metrics. 3.1 miles registered. Hermione figured she had another mile at least in her if she took her speed down a notch. Hermione caught the guy running next to her staring. Rolling her eyes, she kept her eyes straight and kept running. The man next to her kept staring. A half a mile later, Hermione couldn't take it anymore. Her palm smashed into the stop button and she ripped her earbuds out of her ears. Glaring at the man, she slammed her hands on her hips. "What in the bloody hell is your problem?"
The man slowed his treadmill down to a stop and laughed. He was a tall, muscular man with shaggy brown hair. He wiped his face off with a towel and looked at her. "I thought it was you, but the short hair was throwing me for a bit."
"Excuse me?"
"Hermione Granger, right?" the man asked. "It's me, Mitchell."
Hermione stared at him, incredibly confused. "I don't know a Mitchell."
"What! How could you forget a face like this? We played together all the time - you lived next door to my Grandmother…your mum was my dentist, you told the teacher on me in first grade for eating paste…"
She clapped a hand over her mouth. "Merl…I mean, oh my God - Mitchell Anders? I hardly recognized you!"
"Yes well, I'm not a scrawny kid with big ears anymore," Mitchell teased. "You, on the other hand, look amazing. How have you been? I haven't seen you changed schools. Grandmother said you were going to some kind of fancy boarding school."
"Something like that," Hermione said, evading the question. She saw how he was staring at her. Taking her arms and crossing them protectively against her chest as she stood there in her work out shorts and neon green sports bra, she blew her bangs away from her face. "Well, um, I have to go now. It was nice seeing you…though I wouldn't make it a habit to stare at women in the gym. It's a bit creepy."
She walked away and he hopped off, following her. "Wait, Hermione," Mitchell called out. "Do you want to catch up sometime? Maybe…I don't know, meet for coffee, dinner maybe?"
Hermione smiled. "I would, but I'm seeing someone."
Mitchell's face fell a bit, but he still smiled. "We could still catch up - you can tell me all about this boarding school you disappeared to, and the bloke whose managed to snag you."
Laughing, she tilted her head to the side. "Trust me when I say it would give you nightmares for weeks, and as for the bloke, well, you wouldn't believe him anyway. I have to go though - I have a party I'm attending this evening. It was nice seeing you again."
"Maybe we'll run into each other again?" Mitchell asked.
"Maybe," Hermione replied. "Happy New Year." She wrapped her earbuds around her iPod as she walked out of the gym and towards the locker room to retrieve her things. How random, she thought, running into someone from her childhood. Sure, it might not have been that random. After all, she'd been going to the same gym her entire life and it's in the general area of where she grew up, but she couldn't remember the last time she saw anyone from her time when she had no idea she was a witch. Pulling her sweats on over her trainers, she grabbed her coat, zipped it up, and made her way out of the gym. Hermione was never the girl boys noticed, or the woman men lusted after. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't flattered at the attention of someone at the gym - someone she once knew even. But she only had eyes for one, and his eyes were only for her.
"I think it's too soon."
"Chicken."
"It's been what, six months?"
"Nearly seven, and it's not like you both don't know where it's headed."
"I don't want to spook her."
"If talking about your future and children doesn't spook her, a ring certainly won't."
Draco stared at Harry, who had Albus sleeping in the crook of his arm while James sat in front of them on the floor in Harry's living room, eyes glued to the telly watching Spongebob. "I don't want to rush anything," Draco said. "Yes, I want to marry her and yes I want a family but…"
"But…"
Draco sighed. "I don't know. Everything has been so fast…I just don't want to jinx anything."
Harry clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Well don't do it if you aren't comfortable. But if you're worried about what she's going to say, don't."
"It's not her I'm worried about."
Harry laughed. "So this is about your mother."
"No. Yes. Fuck."
"That's a galleon," James piped in, eyes never breaking contact from the telly.
Draco grumbled as he dug a galleon from his jeans pocket and placed it on the coffee table. James turned around at the sound of the galleon clanking against the table. "Thank you," he said, popping his words as he grabbed the galleon with his tiny hand.
He did need his mother to be ok with it. At least at a level to tolerate it. She was just now getting somewhat comfortable with the fact they were dating. She was trying hard to overcome her ways, but Draco knew that while he was fine with marrying Hermione tomorrow, his mother may very well fall off the deep end at the thought. He also knew that Hermione was trying hard to have a good relationship with his mother, and didn't want to do anything to make it more difficult for her. Hermione was already trying to cope with having a house elf, though he was pretty positive she was warming up to Jori - that is, once Hermione convinced her to wear a sundress she transfigured from a festive tablecloth as opposed to the dingy rag she wore upon arrival.
"What time are you getting to the party tonight?" Draco asked, changing the subject.
"We're taking the kids to Molly's around seven so George can watch them while Molly and Arthur are at the party, so we'll probably get there shortly after," Harry replied. "You?"
"Same," Draco replied.
"Are you nervous?" Harry asked.
Draco shrugged. "I mean, the rumors have been out for awhile, now. I'm not looking forward to being photographed incessantly, but Hermione, you, even the Weasel - you all may as well be wizard royalty. I can only imagine the things that will be said when they see that we are indeed together."
Harry chuckled, shifting Albus slightly. "The only opinion you should worry about is 'Mione. The rest of them can eat slugs."
"Yeah," Draco said, his voice trailing off. "I guess I should just accept the fact that no one will ever see me as someone good enough to be with her."
"Their opinions don't matter," Harry reassured Draco. "Ginny and I never would have suggested the idea if we thought otherwise. I personally would have never let you go near her."
Draco chuckled lightly. "Why did you, anyway?"
Harry shrugged. "I think once I got to know you a bit better, and decided you weren't a complete git, I realized one day that you and her had a lot in common. I'd like to believe that sometimes, in even the most hopeless of places, people can find love. Which you did - both of you. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how fast or how slow, or how right or wrong it is. Love is love. It's unconditional."
"Who knew Harry Potter was so…emotionally in tune with the world," Draco said, lightly teasing his friend.
Harry barked out a laugh. "Yes, well, I've experienced what unconditional love can do. I wouldn't be here without it."
Draco nodded. "So you're saying at the end of the day, everything will be fine. The world, my mother, all of it - as long as we truly love each other."
"Yes," Harry replied. "But you have to believe it. You can't just say it."
"If I were to ask Hermione to marry me…" Draco trailed off before locking eyes with Harry. "Would I have your blessing? I uh, don't have her father to ask for her hand properly, and I feel like you're probably the one person I need a proper yes from, other than her of course."
Harry nodded. "Draco, you have my blessing. Though if you're looking for a more father type blessing, Arthur is whom you should ask. He and Mr. Granger became good friends, and he loves Hermione like a daughter."
"Right." Draco glanced at his watch. "Ah - I have to pick up my robes from the tailor and a few other errands before the alley closes down for the holiday." He stood and walked over to James, ruffling his hair. "Love you, James."
"Love you, Uncle Draco," James replied.
Draco kissed his fingers and lightly pressed them to the top of baby Albus' head. "Tell Gin I'll see her tonight."
Harry nodded. "Oh - do me a favor?"
"Sure, mate."
"When you see Ginny tonight, tell her she looks nice. But don't use nice. Use something better than nice."
He laughed. "I usually compliment your wife when she's dressed to the nines…"
"This is different," Harry said. "It's the first big thing we've done since Albus and she's convinced she looks dreadful - which she doesn't - but when she tried the dress on the other night, I told her she looked amazing and she told me I didn't know what she was talking about because I will just tell her what she wants to hear. Which I do most times, 'cause I'm not completely daft, but she really did look amazing. So help a bloke out tonight."
Chuckling, Draco agreed. "Of course." He flooed home, popping into his house as Hermione walked through the door. "Fancy meeting you here," he teased as he brushed himself off.
Hermione kicked her trainers off by the door and shed her jacket, hanging it in the closet. "Hey, you," she said. "Where are you coming from?"
"Harry's," Draco replied. "I have to run some errands, but I thought I'd pop home first, check in on Jori."
At the sound of her name, Jori appeared in the room. "Master Draco called?"
Hermione held back the remark to just call him Draco. "Hello, Jori. How's your day been?"
"Jori's dusted Master Draco's entire study," Jori said proudly.
"Well, that was very kind of you," Hermione replied.
"Yes, thank you very much," Draco added. "I didn't mean to call for you, though, so feel free to relax. I just came to check on you before running my errands."
"Master Draco should let Jori do his errands," Jori offered.
"There's no need," Draco replied kindly. "You should take the day off and visit your family. It would make me very happy."
Jori wrung her hands together. "Is Master Draco sure?"
"He is," Hermione interjected. "You have a wonderful day - we will see you tomorrow."
Jori grinned. "Thank you Master Draco, Missus Hermione!" Jori hugged Hermione, who returned the hug before going off to her room off the side of the kitchen.
"Can I get one of those?" Draco teased, walking towards her.
Hermione shook her head. "I'm sweaty and gross."
"I've been around you when you've been sweaty and gross. Last night, actually, if I recall correctly."
She swatted his chest. "You're incorrigible."
He followed her upstairs, telling him about Harry's request for Ginny this evening, making Hermione laugh. Hermione, much like Draco, said she knew Ginny would look amazing - she saw the dress and was immediately jealous at how Ginny filled out her dress when Gin tried it on for her. From her breasts to her curves, Hermione would've killed for half of that figure. Draco watched as she peeled away her sweatpants and her sweater, revealing her aerobic attire.
"A completely random thing happened today," Hermione said, collecting some of the dirty clothes she saw on the ground and throwing them in the hamper. "I was running at the gym and I met a guy I knew when I was younger."
Draco heard the words met a guy and his jaw clenched. "Were you wearing…" he motioned to the tight black athletic leggings that stopped just past her knee and her green sports bra with his hands, "when you met this guy?"
Hermione couldn't hold back the laugh if she tried. "Did you miss me saying knew when I was younger?"
"Did you dress like that when you were younger? Is that how he recognized you?"
She rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Draco - I'm trying to tell you a story."
"Well it isn't a good one," he replied.
"Draco Malfoy," Hermione said, a little bit seductively as she slinked towards him. "Do you sound…jealous?"
He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Jealous that Merlin knows how many men saw you dressed like that today? And that one knew you? Absolutely."
"I went to primary school with him," Hermione said, placing her hands in his chest. "He used to eat paste."
"What in the bloody hell is paste?"
"It's a globby substance used to stick things together. Honestly, Draco - it was one of the first things we learned in Muggle Studies."
"Because I paid attention in that ridiculous class," Draco remarked. He looked down at her and pulled the thin, black plastic piece from her hair. "What is this?"
"A headband," Hermione replied. "It keeps my hair out of my face."
"Right," Draco replied, tossing it on the bed.
"I wear them all the time..."
"I know. I just never knew what they were called." He put his hands back in his pockets. "So a guy, recognized you at the gym, and he used to eat paste."
Hermione nodded. "He used to have big ears, too. But he grew into them. A handsome bloke now, really."
"Handsome, eh?"
She flashed a cheeky grin. "Not nearly as handsome as you."
"Is anyone?" Draco asked.
"Nope," she said, sincerely. "I just found it funny, I guess. I'm not used to having members of the opposite gender pay attention to me."
"I'd like to be the only person of the opposite gender that's allowed to pay attention to you."
Laughing, she snaked her arms around his neck. "Yes, well, I can't speak for the rest of the men in the world - but I promise I'll only welcome the attention from you."
"Good," he said, planting a kiss to her lips. "But do me a favor…and wear something else to the gym."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's what all the other girls wear."
"I don't like how revealing it is," Draco stated.
She kissed him again. "Well, I don't like the feeling of sweat soaked clothing against my skin. But I'll see if I can't figure out a compromise."
Draco kissed her a final time. "I have to pick up my robes from the tailor. Are you still getting ready with Mother?"
She let go of Draco and walked towards the bathroom. "I am. I told her I'd be there later this afternoon."
"So I should meet you both there?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes - now scatter. I've got a shower and a nap with my name on it in my immediate future."
"Yes, dear," Draco said. "Enjoy your nap."
"You get your errands done quick enough, you can enjoy it with me," Hermione said as she made her way to the bathroom. "But no funny business!" she called out to him, starting the shower. "I'm not going to your mother's after having sex with you because she'll somehow know, and then she really will hate me."
Draco laughed. "She doesn't hate you. She's just adapting."
Hermione appeared in the doorway wrapped in a towel. "Exactly. Let's not hinder any of that. I'd like her to be able to genuinely say she likes me if you decide to marry me."
"When," Draco corrected, smirking. "I've already decided it's happening."
Hermione grin mirrored his. "Yes, well, either way, it'd be better for everyone if she was able to stomach the idea. Now shoo! Get your things!"
Draco laughed as Hermione disappeared back into the bathroom. He apparated over to Diagon Alley to pick up his suit from Twillfits and a bouquet of flowers for his mother from a street vendor to take over later that evening. He made his way to the goblin jewelry shop at the end of the alley to browse. Draco had taken in Mrs. Granger's ring a few weeks back to have Mr. Minch inspect the ornate ring and to see if it could be resized to fit Hermione, or if he could take the stones from the ring and make a new ring for Hermione. He hadn't decided what he wanted to do yet, or what she would prefer.
"Ah…Mr. Malfoy," Mr. Minch slightly sneered. "I was wondering when I'd see you again."
Draco nodded. "I was wondering if you had the chance to look at the ring I brought you."
Mr. Minch nodded slowly. "I did. Very peculiar, the ring you brought me." The goblin hobbled off to a small safe, dragging his hand over it as the various bolts and cogs moved. Opening the safe, he pulled out the ring and set it on the counter for Draco to inspect. "You said it belonged to a Muggle."
"Yes - it belonged to the late mother of my girlfriend."
"Ms. Granger, I presume?" Mr. Minch asked.
Draco gave a curt nod. "What is so peculiar about the ring?"
Mr. Minch smirked. "Tis goblin-made. An heirloom dating back centuries."
In shock, Draco picked up the ring and inspected it closer. "How can you…how would you even know?"
"We recognize our own work, Mr. Malfoy" Mr. Minch spat, insulted by the question. "We even traced it back to it's original owner, who was remarkable pureblood witch named Eliza Dowling. She would've been Ms. Granger's great-great-great grandmother." Mr. Minch took the ring back from Draco. "It's wise not to tamper with such a rare piece of history."
Draco nodded. He stared at the braided, silver banded ring, intricately designed with a large oval diamond in the setting, surrounded by smaller diamonds. "If it's goblin made - "
"It will fit whatever finger you choose for her to wear it on," Mr. Minch replied.
He took the box containing the ring back from the goblin. "I'm counting on you to use the utmost discretion regarding - "
"Goblins don't gossip, Mr. Malfoy," Mr. Minch groused. Draco gave him a firm handshake before leaving. As he reached the door, he heard the goblin call out to him. "Goblin made artifacts only take in what makes them stronger."
Draco turned around. "Excuse me?"
"Love," Mr. Minch clarified. "The women who have worn that ring have been loved and adored by their husbands. I could sense it upon examining the artifact. It's not a ring to bestow upon someone like Ms. Granger without being prepared for the eternal bond that comes with it."
Well rested, Hermione popped over to Narcissa's cottage through the floo. She found the woman sitting, reading a book about potions. Draco told her once that he excelled at potions because his mother was almost as masterful of a potion creator as Professor Snape, and she taught him all sorts of tricks of the trade.
"Hello, dear," Narcissa greeted, politely folding her book and placing it on the sofa next to her.
Hermione smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Malfoy."
"You should really learn to call me Narcissa," she replied.
"Of course," Hermione said. She stood in the living room, the silence uncomfortable, while trying her best not to fidget.
"Well, we should get started," Narcissa said, standing up. "I've transformed the parlor room upstairs into a salon, and I have two very lovely ladies waiting to pamper us in preparation for the evening. Would you like to get started?"
With a nod from Hermione, Narcissa led the way through the house. From the outside, the cottage appeared to be a small home that wouldn't ever catch the attention of any passersby. But on the inside, it was enchanted as such to be much bigger, with various rooms complete with a spacious second floor. Hermione knew that Draco's mother at first was upset about not continuing to reside in the manor, but that his mother understood her son's concerns. Hermione also knew that despite Narcissa and her consistent comments, she was entrenched enough in tradition to treat her son as the new head of the Malfoy family, and so even if his actions weren't with her approval, Narcissa would not stop him. Which was funny in a way, when Hermione thought about it, because while his mother may never stop him from doing anything, Draco would never feel comfortable - despite the talk that says otherwise - doing something that would garner complete disapproval from her.
Inside the sitting room, she saw a tray with crumpets and tea sitting between two chairs, with two hairdressers standing off to the side, waiting for orders. "Oh wow," Hermione said. "This looks wonderful."
"I thought we could enjoy ourselves a little girl time before the evening," Narcissa replied, taking one of the chairs. "We've never really sat down and had a chat."
Hermione followed suit, sitting down in the chair next to her. Narcissa snapped her fingers, and hairdressers came over. Narcissa dictated what she wanted done to her graying coif for the evening, while Hermione stared at her hairdresser through the mirror in front of her. "Um…I'm not quite sure, really. I'm trying to grow it out so it's a bit unmanageable right now…" She glanced across the room and saw her dress hanging against the wall. "That's what I'm wearing - and well, I guess whatever you think is best for the dress."
The hairdresser nodded. "I have an idea."
"Then go with it," Hermione replied, grabbing a steaming cup of tea.
As the hairdressers began their work, Hermione and Narcissa made small talk. Hermione talked about the upcoming trip to France and Bulgaria that she and the Tri-Wizard committee would be going on later in January, and how Draco was enjoying the autonomy with his job while having a small, pro-bono, independent legal counsel practice on the side.
Narcissa nodded as Hermione spoke. "I can see that you've had quite the effect on my son."
"I wouldn't say that," Hermione blushed as she spoke. "Since I've moved back, he's often talked about helping those who needed it the most."
"Of course," Narcissa stated. "I see him concentrating more on work, though. I'm not quite sure when I've seen him this happy."
Neither one was making eye contact with the other, and Hermione wasn't sure if she should initiate it. Instead, she stared straight ahead, sipping her tea. "Well, he makes me very happy," she admitted, her words carefully spoken. "I'll admit, it was a bit weird at first, given our history…but I don't know. It just kind, sort of clicked."
"I will say, you two are an unusual pair," Narcissa began to say, "but sometimes, the most peculiar of pairs have a way of working out brilliantly in the end."
"Then why don't you approve of me?" Hermione asked bluntly, slapping a hand over her mouth as quickly as she heard herself speak her thought aloud. "I'm sorry," she sputtered. "Please, forgive me - I didn't mean - "
Narcissa laughed, waving a hand at her. "Don't apologize," she said. "I know I've probably given you mixed signals. It's just hard, and you'll understand this when you're a mother someday, when you have a life planned out for your child, and once they are grown and the plan…"
"I know I wasn't any kind of choice for you when it came to Draco - "
"Hermione," Narcissa cut her off. "You may not have been my first choice, but you're the right choice. We just don't know each other well enough to know how to interact with one another. All we have are assumptions about each other, am I correct?"
Slightly embarrassed, Hermione nodded.
"I'm sorry if I upset you when we were dress shopping." Narcissa offered the first olive branch. "While I always wished for a daughter, I never had one, and I may have been a bit over-zealous with my selections and opinions."
Hermione looked to the woman and smiled. "I've been without one for so long, I've forgotten how to take suggestions from a mother."
The two women sat in silence more comfortable than before. They were able to make small chat about almost anything; giggling as Narcissa recounted some of the funnier moments from Draco's childhood. Hermione was stunned as she heard Narcissa tell her she found herself impressed when Draco would come home from Hogwarts, seething at how this girl managed to beat him at everything and she wasn't even a pureblood. Narcissa noted that it was very rare to see a muggle witch with such power - and when Draco would describe Hermione as a child, it reminded her of Lily Evans.
"Mr. Potter has more of his mother in him than he realizes," Narcissa mused. "When Draco told me of their budding friendship, that's when I realized he wasn't just a James look a like. He has more than his mother's eyes."
"Well, your son is more than a look a like to his father," Hermione replied. "He has more of you in him than you believe."
"Maybe," Narcissa said. "I believe more of it comes from the sheer desire to be everything his father wasn't."
"I believe he does a lot of it for you," Hermione replied. "You're very important to him."
"I should have protected him better," Narcissa admitted. "I never wanted Lucius to take him into that world, and I knew he regretted everything in the end, though I supposed it doesn't make up for much of what happened."
"The war changed everyone," Hermione said. "If I've learned anything…it's that we can't dwell in the mistakes of the past. All we can do is move forward, and to keep history from repeating itself."
Narcissa nodded as she motioned to an area of her hair that she wasn't all that wild about with the way the hairdresser was pinning it up. Once it was fixed, she picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. "Do you and Draco…do you two talk about a future?"
Hermione bit her lip before answering. The day was going well, and she didn't want to throw a wrench into it. But in the same regard, Narcissa did say they had to learn how to interact with each other better, to not make assumptions. "We've talked about it…some."
"Good," Narcissa said. "I know Draco wants a future with you. I can see it when he looks at you."
"I want a future with Draco," Hermione replied. "I may never have been a part of your initial plan, but he was also never a part of mine. But now…I'm glad that even the best laid plans, with their intentions and purposes, can change without warning."
The two reached their hands out and grasped each other, squeezing sentiment between them. It wasn't a perfect relationship, and Hermione knew it could very well be a complicated one for the rest of her life. But she was making process with Narcissa, and it was all she could ask for. Hermione let go of Narcissa's hand after a final squeeze and focused back on her hair. She was in love with what was done to her hair - it was styled in a spunky way, parts of it teased with some body and parts of it smoothed and straightened near her face. She let the hairdresser do her makeup as well, and once she was done, Hermione was incredibly pleased.
A knock on the doorframe of the parlor caused both of their heads to turn. "This looks to be quite the operation."
"My son, not everyone can just put on a suit and look as dashing as you," Narcissa replied. She sat up in her chair as Draco approached her, handing her a bouquet of daisies with a kiss to her cheek. "That suit is rather becoming - is it new?"
Draco nodded. "I saw it the other day, and thought the silver vest and tie would match my lovely date perfectly." He turned to Hermione and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. "You look beautiful," he whispered in her ear.
"You don't look half bad yourself," Hermione teased.
"I'm going to go and get myself ready," Narcissa announced. "I'll meet you both downstairs when you're ready."
As she left the room, the hairdressers followed. Hermione thanked them for all their help as they left, and Draco followed them to do the doorway, sliding the two wooden doors shut to give them some privacy. Hermione unbuttoned her blouse and grabbed her dress hanging from the wall and removed it from the hanger. The silver bodice was beaded with a sweetheart neck, the skirt frilly and effervescent, falling just past her knees. Draco took a seat and watched Hermione shedding her clothes down to a black strapless bra and a skimpy pair of black lace knickers. "You are so lucky we are in Mother's house," he said, exhaling slowly.
Laughing, Hermione slipped into her dress and clutched the top to her chest. She walked over to him and turned around. "Zip me up, you insatiable fool."
Draco stood up, pulling at the bottom of the track as he zipped her dress up slowly, watching the fabric hug her body. He placed his hands on her shoulders and a kiss to her neck as his hands slid lightly down her arms. "Are you ready for tonight?" he asked softly.
She nodded, though she was a bit nervous. In addition to Ron more than likely showing up, they were formally attending as a couple, ending all the rumors and more than likely instigating a slew of reporters and photographers to follow them for quite sometime. Hermione was a bit more worried about what they would say about Draco more than she was about herself, but whatever was said would never change her opinion or her feelings. She loved Draco - and she planned on letting anyone else who questioned her feelings have it.
Hermione turned around and grabbed her black peep toe heels from her bag, slipping them on so she could back up a bit to give Draco the finished product. "Well…how do I look?" she asked with a playful spin.
"Beautiful, gorgeous, perfect," Draco offered, a hand over his heart. "You're stunning, Hermione."
She flashed him a bright smile. "It helps I have such a handsome date."
He took a few steps closer to her, grabbing her hands with his. "I love you," he said. "I'm not sure I say it often enough. I'm a bit emotionally handicapped, as you know, but I just…I'm going to learn to say it more. Not because I think you need to hear it - but because I want to. I love you, Hermione Granger."
Hermione let go of one his hands and lightly brushed her thumb over his lips, removing the shade of gloss she was wearing from her kiss earlier. "I love you," she said, dragging her thumb across his soft lips. "Are you ready for tonight?"
He nodded. "I know I'm not worthy of you," Draco admitted, "and I know everyone else will the same - "
"You know whose opinions matter and whose don't," Hermione said, cutting him off gently. "Now, I have an important question to ask you."
He arched an eyebrow. "Do you now?"
"While you were all cute earlier with that jealous spell, you should know that I'm probably going to dance with other people tonight. You the most, of course, but I would like you to promise to keep the seething to a minimum."
Draco rolled his eyes. "I can't make promises - you know I don't share well with others."
"Well then, I guess tonight will be a good time to practice," she said with a smirk. She grabbed her clutch from her bag, filled with everything she'd need for the evening, and linked her arm with Draco. "Shall we meet your mother downstairs?"
The Ministry was hardly recognizable as people flooed into the main lobby. It looked as if it had been hosed down and frozen with all of the ice sculptures, the enchanted snowing ceiling which evaporated into nothing before reaching the ground over the dance floor, complete with accent colors of ice blue, silver, grey, and navy. Everyone couldn't help but remark at how the committee outdid itself. Hermione found it to be reminiscent of the Yule Ball she attended with Viktor, a night that was by far one of her favorite school memories. An elf in a maitre'd uniform escorted Narcissa, Draco, and Hermione to their table, where they found Harry and Ginny sitting with Molly and Arthur. Hugs and holiday wishes were exchanged as those sitting stood.
"Hermione, you look amazing," Ginny gushed.
"Yes, well, I hope that after two children, I look half as amazing as you," Hermione gushed right back. Ginny stood in a navy gown that accentuated every asset she had, and she looked drop dead gorgeous.
Draco leaned in and kissed Ginny's cheek. "If Potter knows what's good for him, he'd do best to not let you out of his sight for fear of someone stealing you away. You look stunning."
Ginny blushed, trying to roll her eyes at his comment but failed. "Thank you," she said.
Draco and Hermione exchanged pleasantries with Molly and Arthur, as did Harry and Ginny with Narcissa before they all sat down for dinner. Salads were magically delivered to all the tables in the room, and after a handful of welcoming remarks from Kingsley, everyone began to eat. The vibe in the air was friendly and wonderful, much of which in Hermione's opinion Kingsley's doing. He deserved recognition for the way he turned the Ministry around, creating a new culture of pride and collaboration between not only with each other, but also with wizards and ministries in other countries.
As the main course arrived, Hermione was sipping her champagne when she saw Ron walk in with Lavender Brown. She began to choke, though managed to clear her throat quickly as Draco patted her back. Ginny looked in the direction Hermione was glaring. "What the fuck?" Ginny said.
"Ginerva Weasley!" Molly admonished.
"What the fuck?" Harry repeated, turning his head to see what caught his wife off guard.
"Blame my husband," Ginny told her mother. "When did that happen?"
Arthur shrugged. "A month or so ago, I guess. The other girl went back home…and one day she just showed up with him for dinner."
Hermione downed the rest of her champagne. "Yes, well, he's a grown adult. If he's choosing to settle down and to act as such, we probably shouldn't deter progress."
Draco reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze before leaning in for a kiss. She returned the sentiment, brushing the stain of lips away. Neither of them noticed the flash of several cameras in their direction. Ron and Lavender were sitting at an adjacent table, Ron staring every so often. Though she could feel his stares, Hermione wasn't going to acknowledge his behavior. Their table went on to enjoy dinner and dessert, chatting about anything and everything. Arthur and Harry were taking a bet on seeing who was actually babysitting who - George or James - when Harry and Ginny returned home.
Once dinner was over, Narcissa and Molly visited with one another at the table while Arthur mingled with some of his co-workers from his department. Harry escorted Ginny out onto the dance floor, as did Draco with Hermione, joining the others already enjoying the party. Draco spun Hermione around, grinning as she threw her head back and laughed. He could never get over how beautiful she was when she was just being herself. He began to notice several stares as the two danced together, but instead of seeing a room full of confused and angry glares, he saw stares and whispers that appeared to be accepting. It was a relief not to feel like the entire world would be against him regarding his relationship with their beloved war heroine.
A slower song came over the orchestra, and Draco pulled Hermione close, wrapping an arm around her waist as he held her hand close to his chest. They swayed back and forth, Hermione's head tucked under his chin to the music for several minutes before Draco felt a tapping on his shoulder. He turned and saw Kingsley with a grin.
"May I cut in and dance with this beautiful lady?"
Hermione laughed as Draco reluctantly let go of Hermione, handing her off to Kingsley. She stole a kiss from Draco before taking Kingsley's hand, and he gave her a smile before retreating away from the crowd. He spotted Arthur Weasley near the drink table, collecting two champagne flutes from the barista. "Mr. Weasley," he said, extending his hand.
Arthur put down a glass to shake Draco's hand. "Mr. Malfoy. Your date looks enchanting this evening."
"She does," Draco agreed. "I plan to let everyone get their dances with her out of the way so I can steal her back." The two men laughed as Draco retrieved a glass of champagne for himself as the two walked over towards the table. "I was wondering, uh, if I might have a word with you."
Arthur stopped walking, noting the serious look on his face. He nodded with his head away from the party so the two could have some privacy. "What's on your mind, son?"
He took in a deep breath and exhaled. "I asked Harry, and Harry of course said to ask you, and so I was wondering, you see, if I could, well, really have…" Draco could hear himself stammering and he mentally slapped himself. Arthur stared at him, slightly bemused as he tried to collect himself. "Let me try this again," he said, taking in another deep breath. "As you know, I care for Hermione and, well, I'm completely in love with her, really. I want to ask…eventually, soon, or as soon as I warm Mother up to the idea, I want to ask Hermione to marry me."
Arthur grinned. "I see."
"Yes, well, I already have Potter's blessing, but he said that if I was looking for proper permission, I should ask you. He mentioned you were friends with her father."
Nodding, Arthur used a suspension charm and suspended the glasses of champagne for him and Molly in the air. "Richard and I did get to know each other over the years," Arthur said. "And I'd like to think that if he and Jean had gotten to know you, they would have approved of you. You've come a long way, Mr. Malfoy, and it's obvious that you've had quite an effect on our girl over there."
Draco nodded quickly. "She's had quite the effect on me as well."
"Well, whenever you decide to do it, you have my blessing, and with that, her father's," Arthur said, sincerely.
He exhaled a sigh of relief as Arthur laughed. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley."
"Not a problem, son," Arthur replied. "Now go on - relax a bit - and have fun."
"May I have cut in?"
Kingsley looked at Hermione for a firm yes or no. She nodded, and kissed him politely on the cheek as Kingsley warily handed Hermione's hand to Ron's, who wasn't standing as confident as he appeared to be when he arrived. With a fair bit of distance between them, the two began to dance. Hermione looked over at Harry, who whispered something into Ginny's ear before intercepting Lavender for a dance as his wife to walked over towards Draco.
"You um, look pretty tonight," Ron bumbled.
"Thank you," Hermione politely replied. "You're with Lavender now?"
He nodded, not making eye contact with her. "I'm trying to settle down I guess. Be a better person. Mum's a bit mortified with me, and so I'm trying to be better."
She nodded. "Well, as long as you two are happy."
"I'd be happier with you," Ron admitted, looking at the floor.
"Ronald…"
"I know, I know, I blew it," Ron spat. "I just…needed to say it."
Hermione sighed. "Ronald, look at me." His eyes met hers, and she took in a deep breath. "We went through a lot. Physically, mentally, emotionally, it was never going to matter how hard we tried. We were better off as friends."
He looked hopeful for a second. "Are you saying we could be friends again?"
Hermione pursed her lips together for a moment. "Honestly, I don't know. Nothing's impossible, but it will take some time if it does happen. Part of that comes with you accepting that Draco is with me. He's a changed man, and I love him. If you're my friend, you'll respect it."
Ron nodded solemnly, the two continuing to dance. From the far corner of the dance floor, Ginny kept a firm hold of Draco's hand as his eyes never left Hermione. Had he not been terrified of Ginny's wrath, he would have told her to sod off when she demanded him to dance with her instead of making a scene. Instead, he held her hand and they danced.
"It's nothing," Ginny reassured him. "That girl doesn't have a fleeting thought of my brother in her body."
Draco set his jaw, looking at Ginny. "I still don't have to like him touching her."
"Well, how about you distract yourself - and tell me how fabulous I look again," Ginny teased.
He relaxed a little, spinning Ginny around. "You are definitely a sight for sore eyes," he complimented.
"I'm glad you think so," Ginny said with a laugh. "I saw you talking to Dad earlier. Were you doing what I think you were doing?"
He rolled his eyes. "Your husband is such a gossip."
Laughing, she had Draco spin her around again. "I think it's wonderful!"
"I don't know when I'm going to do it yet - so don't open your yap."
"My lips are sealed," Ginny promised. "Now, if you can do so without being a complete git, I'm going to let you go over to Hermione and politely interrupt her and Ron. Mainly because I'd like to have my husband back, and the thought of him dancing with Lavender is driving me mad."
Draco nodded, and Ginny let go of his hands as the two made their way through the dance floor. Ginny interrupted Harry and Lavender first. Following her lead, Draco tapped lightly on Ron's shoulder with a finger. The two of them stopped dancing and Hermione looked at Draco, slightly worried.
"May I interrupt?" Draco asked as politely as he could, holding his hand out to Hermione.
"Come on, Won-Won," Lavender called, motioning towards him so they could dance as the music picked up in speed again.
Ron handed Hermione to Draco and gave him a curt nod, retreating towards Lavender. Hermione beamed at Draco as he snaked his arms protectively around her waist. "Did you see?" he whispered in her ear. "I shared very well just then."
Hermione let out a laugh, her arms wrapping around Draco's neck as she planted a kiss on him for the entire room to see. She fed her fingers through the hair on the back of his head as they broke away. "You did share well," she replied breathlessly. "Though I'm sure Ginny had a death grip on you."
"She did," Draco confessed. "But I still did well just then."
"You did," Hermione replied.
The party continued on through the night, and as the clock wound down to the New Year, the ceiling enchanted sky filled with snow turned into a countdown, the snow gathering to form numbers with thirty seconds until the new year. Everyone gathered towards the dance floor to watch as the numbers flickered closer to one. Draco had an arm around Hermione, another around his mother. The room began to chant when the number ten approached, and as the excitement grew, cheers and fireworks erupted as another year came to an end and a new year began. He hugged his mother first, kissing her cheek. "Happy New Year, Mother," Draco said.
Narcissa smiled, returning the hug. "Happy New Year, my boy," she said. Her face close to his ear, she held his other cheek with her hand. "She's the one," Narcissa whispered.
He stared incredulously at his mother. "Mother…"
"When you're ready," she assured him. "Make this your year."
Draco nodded, giving his mother one more kiss before he turned his attention to Hermione, who was giving Harry a hug and a peck on the cheek. Turning back to him, she wiggled her eyebrows. "Happy New Year, love," she said.
He pulled her into a searing kiss, dipping her just a bit as everyone else around them celebrated the New Year. Hermione wasn't one for such a public display of affection, but in this moment, she hardly cared. She opened her mouth as she held onto him tightly, enjoying the moment. As they broke apart, she locked her eyes with him as he pulled her back up. "I love you, Hermione Granger. Happy New Year."
"I love you too," she replied.
"Always?" he asked.
She grinned. "Always."