Hey! I've been trying to update this story for a day, but it didn't work! Thank God it has now!!! It's Claire (original author, I know, it's way too confusing!) here. I have many things I need to mention. Get ready for a lonnnnnng authors note! But please read, it is VITALLY IMPORTANT YOU READ THIS!
One. Natalie is so so so so sorry she hasn't been able to update, but you lot remember she is taking 6 A-Levels?! And in her spare time she works as well…she has literally no time. She wrote the first Draco and Hermione part then left it to me! So it is the original writer writing this chapter, forgive me if the writing style is different!
Two. I was reading back the story (honestly couldn't remember what had happened before!) and I discovered how many times we have contradicted ourselves! And the time line is seriously out of whack. Apparently, Hermione was supposed to meet Narcissa three days after giving Cara back, go engagement dress and wedding shopping with her and then it's Ron and Luna's party…that really did not happen! Also, Harry seemed to forgive Pansy, but then still not talk and they get mad at each other. So, let's put this right shall we? Forget some details which have happened and this is the new timeline!
In this chapter, it is the middle of October (before Halloween). They will shop for dress to meet Narcissa in, which should happen in the next two chapters depending if I get round to it or not. On that visit, they will shop for an engagement dress, which will happen on Halloween. Next, in November, it is Ginny and Blaise's engagement party plus a new assignment in PRC! In December, Ron and Luna's wedding. End of December (News Years Eve), Blaise and Ginny marry. Valentines Day, Hermione and Draco marry.
There may be other snippets of weddings from the other couples. We're not sure when Harry and Pansy will marry, they're not exactly on speaking terms yet! We do know it will be the last one though…. That should be enough to satisfy you lot and make you want to read on? There will be other surprises and things along the way, but that is just the basic outline.
Harry and Pansy…that's a confusing couple isn't it?! Just read what happens in this chapter and forget that Harry forgave her…that was such a big mistake! I was like NOO when I read they had forgiven each other in a previous chapter, because I love what Pansy says to him in this chapter : ). So just stick with it! Hopefully it won't get this confusing again!
Three: Thanks to reviewers: Swimnsail, Kiku18, spikeecat, firstEveningStar, soccersyd, VoiletDhaliwal, x8jessica8x, tfobmv18, sexxydemon, harrypotterlover123, xxxMissMalfoyxxx, cyn23, That Ella Loves, sweet-tang-honney, Crossy, CFCRockAngel, scarredprincess, microcheese, Nat-Nat-Madness and kama674. I am so sorry that you have had to wait so long for this chapter, and we hope that we haven't lost you as readers! This chapter is extra long to make it up to you! Loads of love Claire (shygirl135) and Natalie : ) xxx
Chapter 16: The Surprise
Hermione sat on the hill looking out to the shrieking shack. This was arguably the most common dating place in Hogsmeade, as long as you didn't include Madame Puddifoot's- but Hermione found that place rather sickly anyway. If someone had told her last year that she would be sat here with Draco Malfoy, who just happened to be the guy she would marry on Valentines Day, she would have set Ginny armed with her bat bogey hex on them, but it was as sure as hell true.
Three hours had past since they climbed through Honeydukes basement, and in Hermione's eyes, they had made good progress. In Draco's eyes - not so much. They had been in Hogsmeade for three hours and they had yet to get a dress and shoes for Hermione, and a new set of dress robes for him or lunch. The lack of lunch was bothering him the most. He had never been so hungry!
As if answering his prayer's Hermione got up grabbed his hand and said, "Lets eat."
"Yes!" Draco said enthusiastically, allowing her to pull him up and wrap her arms around his waist. "Where'd you want to go?"
"Anywhere but Madame Puddifoot's," she said firmly.
"What's the matter Hermione? Not the romantic?" he grinned.
"That place is not romantic. It is sickly and sweet and-" She pulled a face to show just how disgusting she found the place.
Draco laughed. "Come on," he said grabbing her hand and pulling her back towards the town. "I'm going to show you just how romantic it can be. And then we have to get you a dress, and hopefully we might get back in time for dinner." Hermione sighed but allowed herself to be dragged by her fiancé in the direction of Madame Puddifoot's.
"I can't believe you did that, Harry." Ginny said bluntly shaking her head.
"Why? What was wrong with it?" Blaise asked clearly confused.
"Thank you!" Harry said gratefully, high fiving Blaise in the mean time. "As far as I was concerned that was a decent apology."
"It's nothing like an apology! You still called her a slut!" Ginny said furiously. At this moment in time, she felt for Pansy. Pansy had done a bloody awful thing, seducing Draco, but she was still a human being, and evidently sorry for what had happened. If she could just get through to Harry on how to treat a lady…
"Well, I wasn't going to lie! She is!" said Harry.
"She may be a slut, but that isn't something you state when apologising."
"But why not?"
"Because! It's not done! What were you doing when Merlin gave out tact?!"
"I don't know! I bet I was fighting Voldemort though - I always seem to miss out on the good stuff because of that." he added answering the confused look on Ginny and Blaise's faces.
Ginny growled. Blaise looked scared and held Ginny in case she lashed out.
"Where is my wand when I need it?!" Ginny screeched.
Harry stared at Blaise.
"Pansy does not think things through. Who does she think she is, trying to ruin Hermione and Draco's relationship?! I know I wasn't happy when they got together, but they fit now. And Pansy was so selfish and used to getting her own way! How am I supposed to forget the fact she cheated on me?!" Harry shouted.
"I'm so glad everyone talks behind my back. And Harry, I've said I was sorry. More than once. Hermione and Draco have got past it. Why can't you? Is it because I hurt your pride? Did I wound your ego because I wasn't happy with you and wanted someone else? Well I'm sorry for that too. But you can't expect me to be happy with someone I barely know," a voice said calmly from the doorway.
The three of them turned to see Pansy, arms crossed, looking sadly at Harry.
"Pansy," started Harry but she interrupted him.
"No Harry. It's time for me to share what I feel."
"I can't believe I agreed to this," moaned Hermione as they entered the pink room. Draco selected a booth near the back, good for privacy, but bad because she had to walk past all the couples.
"You love it, Hermione," laughed Draco.
"Why would I like this?" Hermione questioned, raising your eyebrows.
"I never said you'd like it," Draco pointed out, "I said you'd love it, you evidently do, or else you would have put up a much stronger fight."
Hermione growled, "I hate your logic."
"I know," Draco smiled, taking her hand across the table. Hermione blushed, knowing that she truly did love it. It meant Draco could be affectionate, with no-one saying, "eww," or "get a room."
A waitress appeared and Draco ordered the cream tea for two. She waved her wand and the cream tea for two glided from the kitchen. Draco thanked her and she left.
"Smooth," Hermione noted.
Draco looked up. "I know I'm smooth but what are you referring to?"
Hermione punched his arm.
"Oww! What was that for?" Draco whined.
"Don't be such a doofus," Hermione replied.
"Don't call me a doofus, doofus," smirked Draco.
Hermione glared.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry," Draco replied hastily. "Do you want a big dollop of cream of a little dollop of cream?"
"Big please," Hermione grinned, just show that she wasn't upset.
Draco spooned a large dollop of cream onto the scone as Hermione poured them some tea.
"This is nice," Hermione commented.
"Seeeeee? I told you it'd be romantic! It's-"
"Don't push your luck Draco."
"Sorry darling," he replied sweetly. Hermione sighed but ignored him.
They chatted about what kind of dress Hermione was looking for whilst they drank their tea and ate their scones. Draco pretended to know what she was on about when really all he cared about was the colour and the price. Soon, they finished their scones and teapot was empty. They left the cafe and headed up the street. Draco wondered where Hermione was heading, as he would have gone in the other direction. But clearly, Hermione knew best.
"There is a really nice shop down here somewhere. It's designer, you'll be pleased to know. Ginny told me where it is," she smiled.
"That's good then, as long as it is expensive and the colour suits you and me, I'm happy," Draco stated.
Pansy walked down to the sofa area where the three of them were standing.
"Let's make one thing clear. I don't appreciate you talking behind my back. If you have something to say to me, say it to my face. Right. I know what I did was wrong," Harry made a move to interrupt her but Pansy held up her finger and glared at him. "I know what I did was wrong, but we are a couple because of how well we are supposed to match. We may not like each other yet but we have to make the effort to at least trust one another. We are together for a reason Harry, and I don't appreciate my so called match mouthing me off to our friends. I need you to trust me, and I need you to defend me. I'm not saying that you needed to defend me before, because I was in the wrong. But instead of acting like a girl and bitching about me, you need to suck it up and move on."
The three of them blinked, taking what she had said in. Then Pansy turned to Ginny.
"And thank you Ginny, for sticking up for me. I agree that when apologising to someone, you do not say things which make you a hypocrite. You have to mean an apology and not repeat what the other person did wrong."
Ginny smiled and nodded. She moved forward and hugged Pansy briefly. She had no qualms hugging a Slytherin. That rivalry had ended long ago for her. Ginny saw Pansy for who she was. She was just an insecure girl who made the wrong decisions sometimes. Pansy smiled and returned the hug. Blaise hugged her next; it was hard to imagine they had been somewhat of an item a few months ago. They had both grown up, and she was happy to see Blaise happy.
Then Pansy turned to Harry. He wasn't clenching his fists or glaring at her, she took that for a good sign. She knew not to expect a hug from him, that was too soon for him and too be honest, she didn't think she liked Harry enough yet for that. What he had said about her really hurt. She didn't like him thinking he knew what she was like, when in actual fact, he didn't know anything about her.
"I'm sorry," Harry said. They locked eyes and Pansy trusted he was telling the truth.
"I accept your apology," she smiled and then she went to the kitchen to make herself a sandwich.
"Are you ready?" Hermione called from behind the curtain.
Draco jerked awake. They had been in "Darling Designs," for over an hour, and Hermione had tried on 12 dresses so far, and rejected every single one. They'd either been too long, too short, wrong colour etc.
"Yes 'Mione. Please let this be the one."
The assistant opened the curtain and Draco gasped. This was it.
Hermione walked slowly out, her hands smoothing the sides. It was a rich purple, cut just above the knee. It had a halter neck top and small diamonds sewn in a flower pattern which covered her chest and down the left side. She glowed.
"Well? How do I look?"
"Breathtakingly beautiful. Simply stunning. Absolutely amazing-"
Hermione laughed. She was pleased to see Draco look so gobsmacked. It didn't happen that often.
"Will your mother like it?"
Draco had momentarily forgotten why they were buying a dress. This was the dress Hermione would meet his mother in. She would approve of it. Draco nodded.
The assistant cleared her throat and waved her wand.
"These are the shoes I'd recommend for the dress." A pair of silver shoes appeared in the hand. They had small heels, something Hermione was pleased about. At least she didn't have to worry about making a fool out of herself in front of her soon to be mother in law. She slipped them on and beamed.
"I love them," she said simply.
"How much?" Draco asked.
Hermione was stunned at the price but Draco brushed it aside like it was nothing.
Ten minutes later they left the store, their purchase had been transported to their room in Hogwarts and Draco led her to his preferred shop to get his new set of dress robes. This was a much quicker process as the sales assistant knew Draco from previous trips. Draco didn't even try them on. They were black- obviously- but with a purple tie to match Hermione's dress. He paid quickly and then hurried out of the shop.
"Is it OK if I go to the three broomsticks?" Hermione asked quickly.
"Why would you want to go there?"
Hermione raised her eyebrow.
"Fine, I won't ask. Shall we meet outside Honeydukes in five minutes? I don't mind if you get yourself a butterbeer."
"Why don't you come with me?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Because, my dear, I have some errands to run myself. Now, darling, go have fun and I'll see you ten minutes, ok pumpkin?" Draco said kindly.
Hermione laughed, "what's with all the pet names all of a sudden?!"
Draco frowned, "I really have no idea. But yeah, I'll see you later."
Hermione nodded and went quickly in the direction of the three broomsticks.
As soon as she was out of sight, Draco ran as fast as he could to the jewellers next door to the newly opened Wizard Wheezes shop. He burst through the door and gasped, "Engagement ring. Need one. Now."
A man wearing smart dress robes appeared from the behind the curtain.
"Ahh, Mr Malfoy Jr, how may I be of service?"
"I need an engagement ring for my fiancé. I want to surprise her."
"Certainly. What kind of style would you like?"
It was nearly dark, the sun was setting. Now to surprise Hermione...
He greeted her outside Honeydukes and they opened the door. Now for the tricky part. There was someone stacking 'Sugar quills' in front of the counter. As quietly as they could, Hermione and Draco slipped past her and into the store cupboard. What they didn't know is that the woman knew there was a secret passage in her store room, and she didn't mind the couple sneaking past her. It was obvious they had had a nice time, and they were adults. The two students walked quickly up the passage to Hogwarts.
Suddenly, now it was nearly happening, Draco felt extremely nervous. What if she says no? He had been able to act like himself all day, and slowly, his guard was slipping. Hermione noticed he was quite subdued, but didn't say anything. She was content holding his hand, something else she was not used to liking. So much can happen in one year...
"Draco?" Hermione laughed nervously. "Where are we going?"
They had arrived in the corridor but instead of going up the stairs to their floor, Draco led her down the stairs.
"You'll see," replied Draco hastily, "It's a surprise."
"But it's cold Draco! I want to go have a bath and then eat chocolate with Ginny by the fire."
"You can do that later, just; hang on for a few minutes."
Hermione sighed; she was extremely confused but decided to trust him.
He opened the entrance doors and together, they stumbled onto the grass. Hermione was surprised it was still open, but she noticed there were other people in the grounds, enjoying the full moon.
Hermione followed Draco down to the lake, where they had spent many afternoons together.
"What's going on Draco?"
Draco shushed her and conjured a blanket. He nodded at her to sit down.
Hermione was completely bemused. Draco sat down next to her, fumbled in his pocket, and then bent on one knee. Hermione gasped. Of course...
"Hermione, I love you with all my heart. Without you, I can not breathe, move, or live. You are my oxygen and my sun. You are my star, my one and all. My heart belongs to you, you will belong to me always and we will live happily ever after. If you stay with me, I will love you for eternity. Hermione Jean Granger, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
:O What will Hermione say?!
Coming up soon:
...Hermione's reply
...Narcissa meets Hermione!
...A secret is revealed
...A special surprise for Harry and Pansy
Is that enough to wet your appetite?
The next chapter should be up this week...I will write it now! I have nothing better to do, unlike Natalie who is working every day this week -_-.
Please review and show us that you still adore this story! : )