AN: Thank you so much to Claire for reviewing. My reviewers really keep me posting, so thank you!
So last chapter ended with a cliff hanger…what will Hermione say?
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Chapter Thirty Two: Engaged to be Wed.
"Yes." Hermione breathed, "I will marry you Draco Lucius Malfoy."
"Thank you." He sighed, pulled the ring from its box and slid it on her finger, "It's the Malfoy ring, and my Mother gave it me on my birthday ready for my Mate. And it fits you perfectly. Beautiful." He murmured gazing at the ring.
"You know we're already engaged?" She felt to point out.
"Not official…until now." He looked up at her.
"It's beautiful." She smiled.
"I'm glad you like it. I know that you would have preferred the colour red but-"
"Green is perfect." She covered his mouth with her hand.
"I'm glad."
"What about your Mother? It's hers, how come she gave it to you? Not that I don't like it, it's lovely, I would have thought though that she'd want it."
"No, it's tradition that the engagement ring is used for all brides to be."
"Oh."
"Being with you is a wonderful way to spend a lifetime." He told her sincerely as he kissed the ring.
"Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments it takes our breath away." She smiled as he stood up and held her hands in his.
"You aren't going to cry are you?"
"No." Hermione smiled.
"Thank Merlin; I can do anything but tears." He confessed just as a tear slipped down Hermione's cheek.
"Sorry." She murmured and blinked the others away.
"Why are you crying, this is a happy moment."
"I know…I'm just so happy."
"Then don't cry." He suggested feeling strange as she tried to stop her tears-they made him feel awkward, unsure.
"Oh, this is…thank you Draco." She said finally as her tears dried.
"No, thank you Hermione."
"I can't believe this…after everything."
"Come to bed." He breathed and tugged her with him onto the bed and they curled up together like a normal night, only this wasn't the normal night, to state the obvious.
"Saturday." Hermione beamed at him.
"Saturday?"
"I want to get married on Saturday." She told him.
"Saturday's perfect." He said and pressed his lips to hers.
"Wait!" She cried and forced herself to pull away.
"What?" He sighed happily as she climbed out of bed, "I wasn't trying anything."
"No, you were fine…more than fine-but I need to send letters and get things organised and-"
"You can do that in the morning." He interrupted.
"No I can't, I have to go dress shopping tomorrow because it's the only day it won't interfere with school."
"In the morning?"
"No, I'll send the letters now then no one will make plans and Pansy will know not to spend too long with Blaise."
"Okay." He leaned back and watched as his Mate hurried around grabbing parchment and her quill and ink before settling in bed quill inked and poised to write.
"How to start…" She mused before her hand started to fly across the page.
Sorry to disturb you at this unfavourable time but I would like to inform you that Draco and I have decided the date of our wedding to be on Saturday therefore your presence will be needed tomorrow for dress fittings please. Meet at Hogwarts gates at one p.m. Thank you. Hope to see you tomorrow.
Hermione.
"Here." Malfoy used his wand to open the window and his eagle owl flew in, "Use him."
"Thank you." She nodded as she attached the letters, "Thank you…"
"Ares."
"Thank you Ares, bye, bye now." She stroked its feathers once before the bird flew back out of the window and the window locked once more.
"Now can you come to bed?"
"No funny business?"
"None at all." He held his hands up, "Just don't wear that nightie again…at least not until we're married…though I doubt you'll wear any clothes for bed if I can help it." He muttered the last sentence under his breath.
"Heard that and for that I'm burning that nightie."
"Don't be a prude."
"I'm not you are just disgusting and crude and above all sickening." She told him sternly.
"You weren't saying that a moment ago."
"I know but I promise if you step one toe out of line I'll make the slap I gave you in Third Year seem like a feather, understood?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Shut up." She scolded, slipping between the sheets.
"Where were we now?" He whispered kissing under her ear.
"I'll sleep on the couch." She threatened. She was scared she'd do something she'd regret in the morning and feel disappointed in herself for giving in so she decided to be tough and strict with him instead so he knew clear what he could-or really couldn't-do.
"You're no fun." He frowned.
"I told you I was waiting."
"Pansy didn't." He was loving this-making her feisty.
"She also slept with you in Fourth Year so I wouldn't use that example."
"I'll have you know she made me wait until the Yule Ball. I'm patient."
"Huh."
"You can always ask her for tips." He chuckled.
"And for that I'm sleeping on the couch."
"Oh, come on Hermione, I was kidding."
"I love that you make no big deal about the whole issue at all."
"Only because I've done it before!"
"Whatever Malfoy, nice to know that Saturday night doesn't faze you." She scowled, "But for your information, Saturday as a whole is a big deal for me…it'll be my first time." She admitted quietly.
"Hermione." He sighed-too far Draco he frowned at himself.
"Goodnight Malfoy."
"Here." He took her left hand and turned her body to face him, "Saturday is a big deal for me too okay?" He kissed her ring, "Don't be mad, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
"I shouldn't have reacted how I did." She kissed his cheek and quickly turning away, "Night."
"Goodnight Hermione."