They arrived at the event fifteen minutes before it officially started. Nicholas kept a steady hand around her waist and led her through the gathering of wizards and witches. He introduced her to colleagues and Hermione found out that the invitation was acquired through his boss. Nicholas worked in sales and business in the wizarding world, so events such as these were common.
As they weaved through the people, Hermione caught a glimpse of fiery red hair and had to look back.
"Ginny?" She called.
The redhead turned around and true enough, it was her bestfriend. Next to her was Pansy, who looked stunning as ever.
"Hermione, what are you doing here?" Ginny looked taken aback, and somewhat anxious.
"I should be asking you that! You don't look happy to see me," joked Hermione.
Ginny and Pansy exchanged a look.
"I was only teasing, but clearly you're not. What's going on?" inquired Hermione.
"Well, you see we're here becau-" Pansy started but got interrupted by the clinking of glass to get the crowds attention. Pansy and Ginny looked to the direction of the crowd and the look on their face made Hermione follow.
On the stage was a man in a dark suit, the love of her life.
Hermione felt her breath hitch and the air get sucked out of the room. Because next to him, was the same woman she saw on the announcement in the paper. A beautiful blonde in a green dress- Draco's colours.
"Hermione," Ginny started to say but Hermione clasped her arm softly and she said no more. Her eyes were still fixed on Draco who ushered the blonde witch forward. As she moved, the sparkle of a ring on her left hand caught Hermione's attention. Her heart tightened, confirming something she knew deep down.
"Thank you all for being here to open our first museum in Canada. It has long been my passion to admire works of art and I have now curated my favourites in one place. I have also added my own pieces with the fray, and hope you enjoy them as much I did painting them.
The opening of this museum isn't simply a business expansion. Astoria and I dedicate this to our departed loved ones, in hope that their memory remains as vibrant as their lives were. Our hopes are that one day, their memory shall travel to all the continents, however, let us celebrate North America!"
Departed? Hermione thought. Has Narcissa passed? Irma Daphne Museum, that's right! Irma is Narcissa's middle name. Daphne- Daphne was Astoria's older sister. So, she passed away anyway. Draco found someone he couldn't bear to leave that he let his mother go.
Her throat was feeling tighter by the second and her head was rushing with thoughts. Her two friends grabbed her by the arm as she swayed.
"Hermione!" Nicholas exclaimed as he caught their eye and hurried to steady her. "What happened?"
"Nothing, I'm just a little dizzy," she smiled weakly at him.
"Are you sure? We can go if you're not up for it."
"I promise, I'm fine." Liar, she thought. You haven't seen Draco in years. He's engaged. He loves someone so deeply. He's here.
Nicholas looked worried still but she introduced her friends to distract him. She took the chance to look for Draco where he had been speaking but he had vacated his spot. Astoria remained.
While Ginny, Nicholas and Pansy were immersed in small talk, Hermione spotted two of her bestfriends. Ron and Harry were making their way back to the ladies when they met her eyes. "Mione!" Harry grinned. He went for a bear hug and asked what she was doing here. She explained she was here with a date which prompted a look between the boys.
"Hermione," Ron said sheepishly.
"How have you been Ron?" She smiled
"I- I'm happy. I've been seeing someone for a while and I've recently proposed to her." He responded
"Oh Ron, that's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you!"
"Yeah, she's with me tonight. I'd love to introduce you. But first, I have something for you. I brought this with me on the off chance that you'd be here. I didn't realize Canada would be so big but look at my lucky stars," Ron started pulling out something in his pocket when he froze and stared over Hermione's head.
Hermione knew who it was before she had even turned.
Bergamot and Peppermint.
"Granger," the deep voice from behind her said. The same familiar voice that haunts her dreams and her memories. It was exactly how she remembered it.
She turned around and met his eyes, silver today with a hint of a storm, she whispered, "Draco."
His eyes moved downwards to her collarbone, the necklace. She saw a small smile form at the corner of his lips.
"I'm sorry about your mother, I didn't know," she added.
His eyes grew darker but he managed a small smile, "Thank you, she asked about you often."
Hermione's eyebrows went up in confusion anf surprise, "oh? I th-"
"Listen, is there somewhere we can talk? Please." There was a hint of desperation in his voice and he looked hopeful. How could she not?
Draco released the breath that he was holding and whisked her away outside. There was still a chill in the February air so Hermione hugged herself as they walked out into the gardens. Draco gave her a side glance and shrugged off his suit. He placed it around her shoulders and cast a silent warming spell on her. Just like he used to. But now his jackets belong to Astoria. He's just being a gentleman. They walked silently so Hermione began the conversation,
"If you don't mind me asking, when did your mother pass?"
Draco didn't meet her eyes and said, "October of last year."
Hermione looked away, she could feel tears beginning to well up and didn't want Draco to see. He had moved on and she hadn't, how pathetic.
Just before Christmas, before the photo on the paper. It must have been when he proposed.
"Oh, I'm sorry Draco. She was wonderful. I had hoped her health would come back."
"It did, there was an accident."
Hermione looked back at him sharply. "An accident?"
Draco looked as confused as she was, "Yes, she was well for a time but a disturbed wizard was targeting her and father and she got the blunt of the hit. Father recovered but he's isolated himself since."
Hermione instinctively grabbed Draco's arms, "I'm so sorry. That's a horrible way to lose her."
Draco's gaze followed Hermione's hand and then back at Hermione's eyes. She snatched back her hand and was about to apologize when Draco took it in his own. "Hermione, about that, I understand there's been a misunderstanding."
Hermione followed her brows, "what misunderstanding?"
Draco took a deep breath and started, "The night after the garden, I came to see you. I apparated to your apartment and saw that Weasley was sitting on your bed, brushing your face and telling you that he loves you. I was heartbroken, I had come back for you. I came to to-"
"Hermione!" Nicholas was walking towards them. He was staring at their linked hands and confusion and hurt filled his face, "what going on?"
Draco's face grew dark as he eyed the man before him, "this is a bad time."
"I'll tell you what's a bad time, this is my date's hand you're holding."
Draco looked at Hermione and dropped her hand. He went in front of her so that he was facing Nicholas. "We're having a conversation, if you know what's best for you, you better go."
"I'm not leaving without her. Hermione, come on."
Hermione squirmed, she could sense the tension but she couldn't leave just yet. There were so many answers she needed.
"Just give me a few minutes, I'll be right in. Please."
She watched as Nicholas' eyes grew dark. "You fucking slut," he spat.
Hermione gasped and then
Pow
Thud
Draco clutched his now reddened fist as Nicholas hit the ground. Draco had punched him and now held a wand to him. "Don't you dare speak to her that way. Don't you ever speak to her again. I'll fucking kill you."
He grabbed hold of Nicholas' collar and yelled, "I'll fucking kill you do you understand? Do not ever go near her."
Draco's voice was deadly. Hermione grabbed his arm and said, "Draco that's enough. It's alright. Let's go."
She watched as Ron, Harry, Pansy, Ginny and Astoria ran to the scene.
Ron and Harry pulled Draco aside and were talking to him as Ginny and Astoria were checking up on Nicholas. The men seemed to be in a heated conversation. Draco grabbed Ron by the collar with Harry trying to intervene. He managed to talk him into letting him go where Draco put something in his pocket and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked exasperated. He went straight for Hermione, ignoring his fiancé.
Hermione watched in confusion as Draco neared her and grabbed her face in his hands before dipping his head for a deep kiss.
Sweet Merlin. She forgot how amazing this was. Fireworks.
She heard everyone's footsteps departing when she suddenly remembered. She pushed Draco away which earned a confused and hurt look from the blonde.
"Your fiancé! She just watched you kiss me!"
"What are you talking about, Granger?"
She planted her hands on her waist and said, "Astoria? Your beautiful blonde fiancé you're opening a museum with?"
Draco started laughing and Hermione stomped her feet, "this is not funny. I will not tear your relationship apart."
Draco with a grin still plastered on his face took Hermione into his arms and embraced her tightly. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed her in.
Apples and honey
"The only witch I would get down on bended knee for is you. You, Hermione Granger."
Hermione was still confused so Draco started explaining, "it's all been a huge misunderstanding, you were drunk and being cared for by Harry, Ginny and Ron. Ron is now engaged to Astoria, we simply are business partners. But that night, I went after you, you thought I didn't. And the night you left I rushed as soon as I could, but you were gone. Even still, I came here on trips hoping to bump into you. I opened this museum here in your city, on the off chance you would come. In what world would I let you slip through my fingers so easily? I made a vow to you, Granger. The sun still rises every morning, and so every beat of my heart remains yours. Even when I'm buried in the ground no earthly grave will make me stop loving you. I'm yours, always. I love you, Granger."
Tears began to flow from Hermione's eyes as everything started clicking in place. "Oh my god, Draco." He pressed his forehead against hers as she started laughing through the tears.
"I can't believe it." She laughed. "This is ridiculous."
"I can hardly believe it myself. I'm kicking myself for my pride. I should have acted like a fool. I should have told the world I loved you and would never let you go. I shouldn't have let you leave."
"You had more time with your mother, and I would put myself through the heartbreak again if it meant you could have those two years." Hermione whispered.
"I know, my selfless witch," smiled Draco.
He kissed her again, deeper, as if to make up for all the lost time. She let herself get immersed in it. Hands trailed along their backs, their faces, hair. Their fingers whispering, where have you been?
Draco was the one to pull away and Hermione grumbled in protests. This earned a chuckle from the blonde.
"One last thing."
Draco paused and took Hermione's hand. You see the night when you got piss drunk on fire whiskey-"
"ugh," Hermione groaned and rolled her eyes.
He grinned, "- I brought something. Something I had lost and Weasel returned tonight. I wanted to kill him but it didn't change anything. What's important is now."
Draco still grabbing Hermione's hand, went down on one knee.
Hermione gasped.
He pulled out a green velvet box from his pocket and opened it.
Tears started flowing again. Inside the box was a large red diamond cast in white gold.
"Hermione Jean Granger, I searched the world for a diamond as rare as you. I remember the vows I have made you and ask you to let me make another one. Will you marry me?"
Hermione jumped into his arms still sobbing. She could not believe the rollercoaster she had been on but it was alright. He was here. Her Draco.
"Yes. Yes! I'll marry you Draco Malfoy."
He pulled her away for a sealing kiss and then placed the sparkling ring on her finger as well as two red strings. He wrapped one around her ring finger just below the diamond ring.
"You kept it!" Hermione gasped.
He gave the other string to Hermione and said,
"I always knew it was gonna be you, Granger."
The End. Thank you everyone for reading!
