I own nothing Harry Potter!

I am so sorry that I've been slacking. I've been caught up in the World Cup the last few days and just haven't gotten the chance to write. Between watching the World Cup games, work, and working on writing a book just to prove I can do it, I've been busy so I am sorry! I will stop making excuses now because I am sure you don't want to here them.

For those who are wondering, I have decided that I am going to go with the alternating between current and past events for the sequel. I figure this is the best compromise for everyone and it will give the story a little more dynamic. If anyone has any other ideas they want to throw into the ring, just let me know because I am open to anything!

Here is the first half of their romantic weekend! Enjoy!

Draco POV

It was finally Saturday night and I couldn't wait to get this night started. I was extremely excited and nervous about tonight. I wanted to show Hermione the amazing set up Ginny had helped me pull off over at the Black Lake, I really hoped she loved it. I also couldn't wait to tell her exactly how I felt, I had kept it to myself for so long now and it was time to lay it all out there.

I waited in the entrance of the castle for Hermione to meet me here, she should be here any second. As I pace the hall nervously I run over everything that I want to say tonight in my head. I don't want to screw this up, this is my chance to show Hermione how I feel and put myself out there. I really hope that she feels the same way, but if not I'm willing to wait until she does. I will wait as long as it takes to make this work. I know I need Hermione in my life, there is no way I could be happy without her.

I pace the hall and run my hands through my hair a few times trying to get control over my racing heart and sweating palms. I feel like it's our first date all over again where I was nervous as hell about how it was going to go. That night had gone perfectly, was it too much to ask for this one to go the same way? I was hoping not.

I am pulled out of my mind when I hear footsteps coming down the hallway towards me. I turn around and see Hermione walking my way with a huge smile on her face, I can tell she's excited about tonight. That's a good sign. "Hey," she smiles as she reaches me.

"Hey," I smile back down at her, lost in her dark eyes. I wrap my arms around her waist and look down at her. "Are you ready for an amazing night?" I ask as I place a quick kiss on her perfect lips.

"Definitely," Hermione smiles up at me. "Especially if there is more of this in the future," she teases as she brings her lips up to mine for another kiss.

"There will definitely be more of this," I smile against her lips before pulling away and getting down to business. "I'm going to need you to wear this," I pull my Slytherin tie from my pocket and hold it up.

"Why?" Hermione asks in confusion, studying the silk fabric.

"It's a surprise so I'm going to have to blindfold you," I explain as I hold the tie up and raise my eyebrows in question.

She rolls her eyes at me before giving in, "Fine, but this better be worth it," her voice is teasing.

"I promise it will be," I smile as I put the tie over her eyes and tie it in the back. "Can you see anything?" I ask when I am finished.

"Just darkness," Hermione says and I can tell that if I could see her eyes she'd be rolling them right now.

"Great," I smile and grab her hand in my and lead her out of the castle and into the night.

As we make our way outside and towards the lake Hermione asks, "Are we outside?"

"Yes we are," I answer with a smile. I know she isn't expecting anything that is coming tonight. She probably figured out big romantic weekend would be spent in the Room of Requirement and the last half might be, but the beginning isn't.

"Hmm," she murmurs as we continue across the grass. I can tell she's trying to figure out what I had planned.

"Okay, here we are," I whisper as I let go of her hand and untie the tie. I watch her reaction closely as she takes in everything.

We are standing by the Black Lake, the trees have fairy lights in them that are twinkling like the stars in the midnight blue sky above. The moonlight is providing enough light for us to see each other clearly and it makes it easy to make out the blanket set out to the left side of the lake in the little patch of trees. The water of the Black Lake is as still as glass and reflects the moon, stars, and fairy lights painting a shimmering picture. The whole area looks perfect and I hope Hermione likes it.

Hermione's face goes from shock to awe to confusion and back to awe again as a smile forms on her lips. "What do you think?" I ask as I reach out and wrap my arms around her.

"This is gorgeous," she says, her voice clearly in awe. Her eyes are glued on the reflection in the lake and I look down and see the two of us reflected there as well. I have my arms wrapped around Hermione and she's leaning into me, it's something else seeing how we look in that moment reflected in the lake.

"I'm glad you like it," I smile as I place a kiss to her hair and hold her closer.

"How did you pull it off?" she asks as she turns in my arms to face me.

"I might have had some help," I smile and place a kiss to her lips. I can't seem to keep my hands or lips off of her, all I need to get through is telling her that I love her and then we can enjoy ourselves.

"Ginny?" she asks with a knowing smile.

I nod and then look over to the blanket in the alcove of trees. "Do you want to sit?" I ask gesturing that direction.

"Sure," Hermione nods and lets me lead her over to the blanket. We both sit down facing each other and I try to gather the courage to tell her what I need to tell her. I think I'll wait until after we eat though.

"Do you want to eat?" I ask as I pull over the picnic basket that is sitting off to the side. I'm not exactly sure what is in it, but the house elves helped me out.

"Yes, I'm starving," Hermione smiles and peers into the basket. We pull out the food, some simple sandwiches and fruit with cookies for dessert. It all seems very picnic-y, not that I've ever been on a picnic before.

We make small talk as we eat, but the whole time I am trying to figure out the best way to say what I am going to say next. Luckily Hermione gets the ball rolling and I take it from there. "This is all so perfect Draco," she smiles up at me after we finish our dinner. "I am so happy that we're together," she says quietly as she looks up at me with her big doe eyes. This is the perfect time and I take hold of it.

"Speaking of that, there is something I need to tell you Hermione," I start and quickly add, "It's nothing bad," with a smile as I see the panic on Hermione's face. I grab her hands in mine and slide closer to her on the blanket. "I have never been this happy before and it's all because of you. I have had the best time over the last few weeks and I am so happy that you agreed to be my girlfriend," I smile and reach out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm the lucky one," Hermione says quietly, her eyes on mine and I can see the sincerity in them.

I lean forward and place a gentle kiss to her lips before pulling back and continuing. "I have never felt this way about anyone before and I am so lucky to have you in my life. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you at this point," I pause to take a breath before saving the three words that may change everything between us. Hermione's eyes are glued on mine and she's listening attentively, it's now or never. "What I'm trying to say Hermione," I start as I reach my hand out and caress her cheek. "Is that I'm in love with you," I say the words I've been dying to tell her and hold my breath as I wait for a reaction. This is the moment that could either make or break our relationship and I just took the plunge.

Thank you for reading and I'd love to know what you think!

If anyone has anything they want to see in the sequel be sure to let me know! I will make sure to work in whatever you want!

Is anyone else as into the World Cup as I am right now? Or is it just me? If you are, let me know what team you're rooting for! I will root for your teams as well (as long as they're not playing against mine :)).

Anyway, thanks again for reading and I'd love to know what you think! Sorry again about the wait. I hope to have the next part up by the end of Saturday as long as everything goes as planned this weekend.