A/N- Sorry all for the lack of updates. I am now officially on my holiday break from work and will have more free time.
CHAPTER TWELVE- The Engagement
Laid out on his bed was Draco's cleanest pair of robes. There was a scuff on one of his shoes and he began to polish them when Goyle entered. "What are you doing Draco? Aren't you coming to dinner?" Goyle asked.
"Of course I'm coming you dimwit, mind your own business," he said shooing him off. Once he had his robes on and his whitish hair exactly how he wanted it, he stuck his mother's ring in his pocket and headed downstairs.
The courage required for tonight would be great and the biggest motivation he had was his fear of what would happen if the Dark Lord did not like his proposal.
The pain in his chest was still present from his last encounter with Lord Voledmort. The punishment he received the night he heard of his engagement was merciful compared to Voldemort's usual reprimands.
The sound of his shoes clicking to the Great Hall softened as he approached and heard the noise coming from inside. The food had already been served and he hoped Professor Snape did not see him arrive late.
Snape was already sitting at the professor's table and he spotted Draco straight away. They locked eyes, both men worried. What angered Draco the most was that the Mudblood hadn't even showed up yet.
Severus surveyed the room constantly scanning for Hermione. If she did not show in five minuets he would have to force her into the Great Hall for her own proposal.
"Merlin's beard, just when you thought something couldn't get any uglier," sniggered Pansy Parkinson. Malfoy had to turn around to see what she was looking at.
Hermione had just come in and sat at the end of the table. It was obvious the girl hadn't showered in several days and her hair was a great dirty mop. The crinkled robes she wore showed large potion stains all over and her hands had ink on them.
She resembled a feral child who had just crawled out of Forbidden Forest. The dark bags under Hermione's eyes gave away that she had not slept in many days.
The sight of her appearance caused Draco to make a fist so hard his nails went into his palms. Severus was also aware of how shambled Hermione looked. While everyone started making fun of her, Hermione sat in silence waiting for Draco to make his first move.
As the whispering stopped and dinner was cleared, people were rising to go back to their dormitories Snape bellowed, "Everyone! Sit. The evening is not over yet." He glared at Malfoy, willing him to get on with it.
Draco stood and everyone turned their heads and began to gossip. "Draco! What are you doing?" Pansy Parkinson asked. "Shut up, Pansy. I have to do something," he said urging the girl to be quiet.
The entire hall could hear each of his footsteps as he strode down the long Slytherin table to where Hermione was sitting alone. He stopped in front of her and their eyes could have shot daggers.
Draco offered Hermione his hand and she reluctantly took it. When their flesh touched he gripped it as hard as he could. Hermione flinched but kept her head high.
To the speechless crowd it looked affectionate as he lead her to the center of the Great Hall but Hermione felt her hand would crumble in his.