A/N: Thanks again for the follows/faves/reviews! Nothing much to say but enjoy... :)
Chapter 4
It's been five days and still I have that same dream about Ron. Each time he says something different... something about our lives together and each time it ends with the head-lights of a car. It didn't make any sense... I thought the Calming Draught warded off unwanted dark thoughts...
I turn over to see Draco sleeping away peacefully. I felt horrible keeping this from him, but I just... didn't want to worry him, not when he's been so wonderful. He really is perfect, and ten days from now, I will be his wife!
"I can feel your eyes on me, love" he whispers, and I nearly fall out of the bed in fright. I hear him chuckle before he opens his eyes, flashing me his bright ice-grey iris'. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against him then he rolls over so I am on top of him. I shift my legs to straddle him to get more comfortable.
"Something on your mind?" his lips twitch into a heart-melting grin as he props himself on to his elbows. I rake my hand through my hair and beam down at him. He looks simply gorgeous with his hair all over the place.
I link my arms around his neck and start to stroke his hair, "Only that I am so... incredibly lucky to have you in my life." These past four days have been really, something. He spent a lot of time together... in our own world, and honestly, I've never felt so... cherished in all my life.
Monday, he took me to dinner in Paris, as it is my favourite place to dine and presented to me a silver charm necklace with our wedding date carved into it. June the twenty-second.
Tuesday... he presented me with bouquets of random flowers, stationing them in all the rooms of our house, each containing a clue to a secret surprise... whether it be a fancy dress, or more jewellery... until the end. Draco stood with a single pink rose and a winning smile, before we took a Portkey to Madrid, Spain for dinner...
Wednesday... it had been dance lessons. Personal dance lessons with Draco because he wanted me ready for our wedding night. And well... it was quite awkward to say the least. I couldn't get the rhythm down no matter how hard I tried. And Draco... bless him for being so patient with me.
I learned that it was part of his life-style to know how to dance. And it saddened me a bit when he brought up his Mother. I had been right. Both she and his father perished in the War. His Mother died protecting him, just when his Father died to protect her. It was so... tragic. He lost so much and yet I can't seem to get over the loss of one person... Ron.
I shake my head, not wanting to think of that.
Yesterday... we discussed the decorations for the ceremony by walking through our glorious garden, and chose the gazebo for the place to exchange our vows.
Not that would be difficult. I mean... he's just so... wonderful. So patient and... caring. My Mother hadn't been kidding, Draco is quite the gentleman. Can it really get any better than this?! I can't imagine it would...
I pull myself forward and kissed him right on the lips for a good half a minute or so before I face him again.
He lifts one hand to tuck some of my hair behind my ear, and I shake a little from the sensation, "Anything else?"
I take a deep breath as I release my hold from his neck to grasp his bare shoulders. I know what he meant... last night had been the first night, that we just slept together without any of the physical stuff. Which was nice, as it gave me time to... um... heal. But now... well... I suppose I'm feeling a little bit... frisky. Or could it be because I'm in the dominant position this time? I must admit, the idea of having him beneath me is... um... rather alluring.
I feel the blush rushing to my cheeks. I've never been so forward about sex in all my life... and in the morning no less!
"Well...no, not really" my voice sounded a lot more higher than I intended it being. I guess I am not as confident at being playful as I thought... I break the eye contact to stare at his naked chest.
I feel Draco slip his hand beneath the camisole I'm wearing, "Is that so?"
His fingers dance up my spine and my legs shake uncontrollably. I release a shaky breath before my resolve breaks, and I bring his face toward mine, kissing him as deeply and passionately as I could.
I feel my camisole inching its way up my body. I had to break off so he could remove the piece of clothing properly.
"Beautiful," he says, his eyes dancing all over my naked torso. I feel myself grow hotter, my boyshorts start to feel... itchy from his...staring.
I physically shake before resuming our kissing.
It wasn't until two o'clock in the afternoon did we decide to actually leave the bed. Today is the day we get to pick out the meals for the ceremony. According to the catering company we chose, they had a set menu in what they can make.
It surprised me to know we've invited over one hundred people to the ceremony... I mean... I don't even know that many people, and I doubt very much that Draco did either. My guess is most of them are Ministry Officials. Given that he belongs to one of the oldest Pure-blood Families... and the first to marry a witch of Muggle decent! Oh well, my focus would be on Draco anyway...
Speaking of...
He wraps his arms around my waist and whispers into my ear, "I have a surprise for you"
"Oh?" I feel the butterflies flutter around my stomach. What could it be this time? He takes my hand and guides me down the hallway and to our library. There is a package sitting on my desk. Curiously, I give Draco a glance for an explanation, but he only motions over to it.
I walk over and opened it.
There in gleaming golden letters, Hogwarts, After The War... I scan the hard cover down to the author. Written by: Hermione J. Granger
I wrote a book?! And not just any book... the new Hogwarts book!
"The issue's slated for all students this September term, and arrived yesterday..."
Yesterday?
"Morning," he linked his arms right around my waist, "Congratulations, love" he gave me a light peck on the lips, but I didn't want to break off the contact, not yet. I curl my arms around his neck and pull him closer, knocking myself into the side of my desk. I can feel the edge piercing into my back but I don't care.
He stepped back before anything else progresses.
"Sorry, love but I have last-minute errands to run..."
"Like what?"
Even though he's been spoiling me rotten, he's also been very secretive. For instance, I still don't know where we're going for our honeymoon!
"Tut, tut," he said, waving his finger, "All shall be revealed, in due time,"
He gave me a kiss on the cheek and then Apparated away.
I spent the rest of the afternoon with Ginny, as we discussed plans for my 'Hens Night'.
"So we've got it down to two choices... strip club... or just a club. Actually it's only Pansy and Lavender that want the strip club. Daphne couldn't careless,"
Figures. Lavender would opt for a strip club. Personally, that never really was my kind of thing. I mean... with a man like Draco in my life why would I want to see others naked? The whole idea of it makes me feel awkward.
"But that's just two votes. The rest of us want just a night of fun and drinks and dancing... not just watching half-naked guys gyrating his goods in your face"
I gag a bit, that isn't the image I wanted to have at the moment... "Ugh Ginny must you word it like that?"
"Well that's the whole definition of strip clubs isn't it?" Ginny scribbled away on her parchment. "They wiggle away and you throw your money at them. Mind you, you have to watch out for the sweat,"
Ugh... I can start to feel my lunch coming back up.
"Oh sorry Hermione," Ginny says patting my hand, "But this is the most normal I've been all week! I swear, with the bouts of morning sickness I've had... I don't see how my mother did this six times!"
"Well... I'm sure it's different each time..."
Ginny sighs, "I hope so... I mean Blaise and I both want three"
I haven't even given children any thought. It is... far too soon. So I don't even know how many I would want...
"Anyway Lavender wanted it as a surprise, you know taking you from your room and surprising you with the event. Of course both Hannah and Luna agree you wouldn't appreciate that in the slightest, especially if it's a strip club!"
I snorted, "No doubt about that,"
"Right, so we're going for the dancing club! Now there's many Wizard and Muggle ones alike. All night club, glow in the dark... we can even take a Portkey and hit up clubs somewhere else in Europe if you're up to it."
"Given that this will take place the night before my wedding? I'll go with the glow in the dark,"
Ginny flashes me a smile, "Thought so. Next, Muggle or Wizard Club?"
"Let's go for Wizard, only because I hadn't been old enough to attend one in my teenaged years..."
"Right," Ginny nodded, as she continued to scribble away. She took a sip of her water. We are dining in town.
"I've got all the essentials and will be sending off the owl tonight. And I am looking forward to it!"
We said our goodbyes and then she was off, crossing her fingers that she wouldn't vomit, and then she Apparated.
The next ten days flew by with flying colours, now that the prep is all in order. There hadn't been any real reason for panic. Except for Draco being mysterious and... tonight.
My final night as a single woman... no, as a Granger. I take a deep breath, as I smoothed out my dress I chose for clubbing, before Draco appears right behind me.
"I've been thinking," he starts, running his fingers along my arms, "We should just cancel our special nights and just... stay in,"
"Much like we always do?" I lean my head backward into his shoulder. Even in heels he still towers over me. I stand by my comment before... this man is truly addicting. It would be very hard for me to say no, but... as he mentioned before we have all honeymoon to revel in each other's company...
I turn around to face him, lifting my head so I could kiss his lips.
"You should wear your hair up more often," he whispers, before burying his nose into my neck.
"You have such a beautiful neck, it's a shame to hide it all the time. But I don't trust these... people at this... club you're going to tonight, so you should wear it down,"
"Draco," I say with a giggle before pushing him away from me.
"I'm serious," he leans back to nimble my pulse point. "And this dress is far too short, and it needs sleeves,"
"Two inches above the knee is standard length... and actually it gets... rather warm... in the club with all the people dancing about. So spaghetti straps are the way to go!"
Draco pulls back and shakes his head, "No wife of mine, will be man-food, for the common drunk. Wear jeans and a shirt"
I couldn't stop my eyes from rolling. I would be charming that he would be so... protective, but really... it's gonna be in the dark. I'll be lucky enough if I can see two feet in front of me!
"I could be your escort"
"Oh honestly!" I scoffed, playfully knocking him in the shoulder. "You're starting to act like my Father than my fiancé. You'll just have to trust me..."
"I do, it's the vultures on the hunt I don't," He kisses my lips for good measure, which I quickly deepen. It wasn't until the chime of the door did we break apart. I wave off to him and then skipped off for a night of craziness.
Loud pumping music... crazy dancing... flashing bracelets...dry ice. Even the drinks were glowing. If I weren't already holding Ginny's hand, I would be sure to get lost in this chaotic madness.
Pansy and Daphne quickly took off toward the huddle of people in the far distance. Obviously the dance floor. Not that I really minded... the less I had to deal with them the better.
Lavender and Parvati skipped off shortly after them as Luna and Hannah... trailed her way toward the glowing bar.
Ginny and I stood just off to the entrance. I feel nervous for some strange reason. I squeeze Ginny's hand for strength.
"You're not planning on standing here all night are you?" hummed Hannah as she sipped her bright blue drink. Her blue eyes glowed brightly.
Ginny scoffed, "Of course not," she looked over to me, "Right Hermione? Let's get dancing!"
I couldn't believe him! I just couldn't believe him! It nearly scared me half to death when he wrapped his arms around my middle. I went on defense and attacked him with my fists. I would've kicked him too, if it weren't for Ginny. She halted my attacks, snapping in my ear that it was Draco!
For all the hell, we've been dancing probably for about... an hour maybe less, before Draco showed his face.
"Whatever happened to trusting me?" I sneer once we are at the bar. "You nearly scared me half to death you know!"
"I'm sorry love, but I couldn't get you off my mind when you're dressed like this," He flashed me a wicked grin, before leaning in to kiss me.
I sigh into the kiss, but then push him back. "Sorry, love, but tonight is my night with my friends, as promised. You will have your chance later this evening..." I gave him a wink and then skipped off to rejoin Ginny on the dance-floor.
Surprisingly, after that, Draco didn't interrupt us, he just stood off to the side, watching us. It's good that Draco taught me to dance, because I just know, being here in the dark would've resulted me falling on to my rear. Ginny kept up with me rather well too.
"He didn't want to do it," Seamus said later on that evening as Ginny and I went to the bar for some replenishments.
It turned out Draco's friends had similar ideas for his 'final night before marriage' by hiring strippers so they could endure a night of... whatever it was they had planned. I didn't really want to know. I'm just... glad he declined and... they ended up here.
"Of course Harry and Neville were glad... they felt it was a form of cheating..." He whispered to me, so Ginny couldn't hear. This pregnancy of hers is making her more... feisty than usual. And we have only eight more months to go of it.
Oh fun.
"I mean, it's all Nott's idea, anyway. I mean it's all fine and dandy cause Daphne and Pansy don't care, but... heck I'm glad Draco chose this"
"You know it's good to have some separation once in a while," Ginny sighed, downing her drink.
"Yeah but I didn't quite fancy being locked up inside a house with those kind of girls... I rather it be Hannah any day,"
"Aw, how sweet," I drink down my fruity drink and then take Ginny by the hand where we made our way back to the dance floor.
We danced for a bit longer before Draco decided to cut in, claiming someone unfriendly had watched me for quite some time. I said goodbye to everyone around us before Draco Apparated us back home. In our bedroom.
I pull him toward me and stumble our way to the bed, turning us around so he falls first and I settle on to his lap. If I were honest, I am rather fond of this position...
I slip the dress up and over my shoulders, tossing it off to the side before taking his head in my hands, "I love you, forever," I leaned in and kissed him deeply, knocking him on to his back, "And always,"
The rest of our clothes disappear and we proceed to further our exploration of each other's bodies...
I don't know how long I've been asleep for, my guess is... two minutes.
Beep...
Beep...
Beep...
The sound echoed in my head and pounding into my brain...
Where is it coming from? Is it the alarm clock? I don't even recall setting it last night.
My hand feels numb, yet I could move it just fine. My chest... it's sore and it's hard to breathe. My head is throbbing...
Odd. I didn't even touch a drink last night, so I... can't... be hung over...
"And then... then Harry jumped out of the bushes and scared us all! And he says he's not much for Hallowe'en..."
The voice rings in my ears and my heart... it feels empty. That didn't sound like Draco at all...
The beeping grows louder, clearer and consistent...like a heartbeat.
BEEP...
BEEP...
BEEP...
I open my eyes. Almost immediately I realize I am not at home. The ceiling's made of plaster and... dull lights.
At first my vision is blurry, but then I spotted a wad of flaming red hair... freckles.. and bright blue eyes beaming at me. Oh no... not the-
"Oh mercy me, there is a God!" Ron said, his voice broken, "You're awake! Harry, Ginny... Mum... Dad! Hermione's woken up from her coma!"
E/N: tah-dah!