*Wow, I've been busy! I want to thank you all for being a wonderful audience and I hope you enjoy this long chapter, just for you.*
Chapter Nine: A Surprise Visit
Draco looked admiringly at the silver ring that now graced his finger. Faint engravings of vines twirled around it, leading to the center where a small diamond was inlaid. It twinkled pink and green in the neon lights of the bar in which he met the red-headed stranger who turned out to be the kind, loving, caring Ronald Weasley.
"What do you say?" Ron looked at him with expectant blue eyes. He still held the box in his hand, half expecting Draco to pull it off, give it back to him and storm out of the bar.
Draco wrapped his graceful, pale arms around Ron's neck, kissing it gently, internally laughing at the blush that was still visible on Ron's ears. "Of course, Ron." Ron smiled so widely it looked nearly painful, and, in celebration, ordered another round of martinis.
"You know, we have to have an extravagant celebration, right? I'm going all out for you. I've made good money, lately." As well as assisting with the relocation of unfriendly magical creatures for the Ministry, Ron helped coach the Hogwarts Quidditch team and Headmistress McGonagall paid him well. Now it was Draco's turn to blush.
"No, no, Ron. That isn't necessary," he stammered, taking a large gulp of his martini to give himself something to do with his hands and to give him an extra dose of courage, knowing he had to inform at least his mother later.
Ron gripped Draco's hand tightly. "It isn't necessary, but you deserve it. You deserve every good thing in the world."
The bartender smiled at them. "You two are adorable."
The two men laughed lightly and Ron stood, sliding the money (with a nearly 50 percent tip) across the bar. Once they reached a dark alley, they Apperated home, hand in hand. Draco nearly died of a heart attack as he was surrounded by a sudden call of "Surprise!"
All of Ron's friends and family he had met in the past couple months were crowded into their living room and kitchen. Even the grudge-harboring Harry Potter was there, a smile on his face and a butterbeer in hand. Molly Weasley, the woman who's every gram was full of kindness and love, wrapped her arms around Draco's neck and showered him with kisses.
"Welcome to the family, mate," Fred and George shouted from the corner, their arms around their current girlfriends. They had new ones every other week.
Percy gave Draco a curt nod. He didn't speak to him much; he knew many things about his father's dark past. Zabini, however, greeted Draco with a brotherly embrace; Ginny, Luna, and Hermione, who had quickly become his best friends, hugged him tight and examining his beautiful ring.
"Have you told your parents, dear?" Molly asked Draco, unaware of the situation. Draco frowned.
"No, I haven't." Molly shook her head and resumed chatting with Luna, Ginny, and Hermione about flower arrangements. They were thinking irises and white lilies, which sound beautiful, but Draco's mind was elsewhere.
After the party was over, Draco pulled Ron into a tight hug. He then sent his Patronus, a thin ferret, to his mother, informing her of their engagement. Within minutes, there was a vicious pounding on their door. I nodded for Ron to open the door, and my father strode in, pushing Ron out of the way.
"I refuse to approve of this union!" He pulled a blade out of his robes and pointed it at Draco. Ron attempted to knock the blade out of Lucius' hand, but he whipped his wand from his snake head cane and aimed at Ron, screaming "Crucio!" Ron crumpled onto the floor, wailing in pain, writhing on the floor. Draco struggled to hold back tears. He couldn't let his father see his weakness.
"I don't need your approval, father. You disowned me, remember?" Lucius sneered.
"You're a foolish disgrace to the Malfoy lineage!" he lunged at Draco, cutting his hands that were held out in defense. Blood dropped onto the white carpet. Draco's tears spilled over. "You're weak! I'll kill you!" An Apparition caused a haze in the room. Mr. Malfoy suddenly was on the floor, being held by Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was in the apartment only twenty minutes ago. Joining him were the surprisingly still-active Mad-Eye Moody and Remus Lupin.
After Lucius was in cuffs, Remus explained. "We've been tracking Mr. Malfoy's movements for nearly a year now. He's being charged for the ownership of a dark magic artifact and the unlicensed ownership of nearly 50 unpaid house elves, which, as you know, is now illegal. All house elves must be paid. We bugged this room, knowing your father probably wouldn't enjoy the news of your engagement, and followed him here." Draco nodded while Moody was tending to Ron, who was still shaking.
Lucius sneered. "You have no idea of my power, silly Aurors." Lupin kneeled down to be eye and eye with the rage-filled Malfoy.
"And you have no idea of mine. It's the full moon tonight. Don't make me rip out your throat."
That paled Lucius Malfoy even more. Shacklebolt led him out of the door to a specially made wizarding police bus, not unlike the Knight Bus. Mad-Eye Moody patted Ron on the shoulder for his bravery before following Kingsley's footsteps. Lupin gave Draco a look that meant he was very sorry, pulled a small vial out of his pocket, murmured 'Healing potion, for your hands," and left. Ron helped Draco drink the potion and they both watched as the cuts disappeared. Draco fetched Ron a butterbeer two perched on the couch.
"Well, that went better than I expected," Ron said with a weak smile. Draco laughed lightly, curling up against Ron's muscle-hardened body. Ron pulled him closer, sharing his warmth. Draco closed his eyes and Ron kissed his neck softly. Ron sat up and pulled Draco into his arms, carried him down the hall and laid him on the bed, proceeding to kiss him, and Draco kissed back wholeheartedly, their kisses melding together into one passionate ball of warmth.
They took a brief pause. "I love you, Draco Lucius Malfoy."
"I love you too, Ronald Billius Weasley."
They soon abandoned speech in place of moans, swapped soft caresses for demanding strokes. They forgot their troubles in a sea of pleasure.