2 months later on May 1st, 2004
With Draco's finest black suit and tie on, his hair in perfect order with just enough product on top help it stand upright. He donned some facial hair of a neatly trimmed balbo beard, a beard without sideburns and a trimmed floating mustache that gave him a more sophisticated look. He
had even gotten his hands manicured, since this was to be a very special occasion.
He had made arrangements
to attend the international quidditch match of England verses Bulgaria on England soil. While he knew the sport
was not something Hermione was passionate about, they were doing their best as a couple to take turns exploring something they each liked
on weekend dates. Once each had taken a turn to do something they liked, they would explore something neither one had yet to do or do something they both enjoyed.
He arranged for the two of them to use of the private prime minister's box seating. He had sent an owl to a friend of a friend on the Bulgarian
team, shall we say, to assist him with one particular request. His hand grasped the small velvet black box that lay on his dresser and slipped it into his inner suit jacket pocket. He felt pleasantly excited cornish pixies in his stomach as he did so.
He checked the time and deemed it appropriate to leave. He apparated to
Hermione's home and found himself at her front door, knocking three times to announce the arrival of his presence.
Hermione was just finishing her red and white ensemble (as indifferent as she was to quidditch, she felt obligated to root for the English Nationals) when she heard a knock on
her door. "oh, there he is," she said to herself. "Perfect timing." She grabbed a small box that contained a small gift for Draco. A black dragonhide wallet and dragon tooth cufflinks. The wallet would be for his muggle identification card that she forged for him and a Starbucks gift card. When they stopped by the coffee shop a couple weeks prior, he seemed intrigued by the idea of a card with a limited balance that could only be used at
a certain store. "Just one more complication to muggle money," he had said, bemused.
She hid the box behind her back and answered the door, smiling ear to ear. "Good evening, handsome! Oh, I love
the beard," she said, stroking his chin and giving a quick kiss. Then she looked him up and down, examining his outfit. "No team colors? I know you like black when it comes to your wardrobe attire, but you must at least have a little color to show support. Get in here and l'll put a little paint on your you must face. How's that sound?" In the heat of the moment,
she'd totally forgotten about his gift, but decided it could wait until after she had properly colored him up.
Draco's left eyebrow raised up at Hermione's comment to put some color on his face for team spirit. "How about we compromise?" He voiced and with a quick wave of his wand
changed his black collared shirt and tie to a white collared shirt and crimson tie. "There. No need for face
coloring. I am appropriately colored to support our nation's team."
Now that the crisis of possible face paint had been averted, he noticed one of her hands still behind her back. "Are you hiding something? No
matter, if you wish to keep it hidden or reveal it now. We have a couple of minutes to spare. I do have a gift for you, but it would be best to wait. We don't want to be late for the opening ceremonies now do we?" He stated, giving her the choice to present her gift now or wait until later. He had to surpass revealing that signature
smirk of his or she knew something would be up about his 'later' gift.
Denied her secret desire to mire his seemingly perfect visage, she crossed her arms and stuck out her lip. "You are no fun," she said jokingly before breaking out into a smile.
She produced the small black box at its mention. "We have plenty time, anyway. I thought you might need this, especially after last week when
that bouncer wouldn't let you in without a legitimate ID. I still feel partially responsible for that, Draco. I'm sorry. Next time, we'll be prepared."
She handed over the gift and awaited his reaction. "The teeth are from a Chinese Fireball dragon. Elegant, yet ferocious," she added, in a way that implied she wasn't really talking about the dragon.
"The only responsibility you should remotely linger on is the fact those eyes of yours silently convinced me not to use magic to 'get our way' when that burly...gentleman was preventing me from entering the establishment
without identification." He spoke, hoping to ease her ever worrying mind when things never went quite as she planned.
Then again after seven years of running around with Potter and Weasley, to muck up any already half arsed plans, it was no wonder she felt sorry when things she planned
don't go as planned. Their night plans had been altered, but none the less they had found other ways to enjoy
their evening.
She presented him with a hand sized black box. When he opened it, Draco was pleased to see his refined taste in many aspects of life was having an effect on Hermione. Black dragon hide wallet and Chinese Fireball tooth cufflinks. "Chinese Fireball dragon, elegant until they have a reason to become ferocious indeed." He agreed
and swapped his current black jet stone cufflinks for the ones she presented.
He opened the black wallet and found a identification card with his flattering image in a clear slot for easy visibility and a green card with written pound balance on the back that white star shape emblem on the front. "This is the odd named coffee shop we went to that had a surprising delightful drink. Dark chocolate iced
mocha. Leave it to muggles to take a drink that is supposed to be served hot and turn it into a delightful chilled drink."
He closed the wallet and placed it in his opposing jacket pocket that didn't have the gift he had planned to give to her later. "Thank you, Hermione." He
spoke, placing an affectionate kiss on her cheek. "Let's be off." He spoke and when she grasped his arm at the ready he apparated them to the main entrance of the England quidditch stadium.
The place was bustling with wizards and witches as they arrived and sought to find their seats for the game. Arm in arm Draco and Hermione made their way to the box that was typically reserved for the Minister. However for tonight it was reserved for their use. They stepped through a
curtained archway and it was nothing like the wooden seat benches or standing row that the rest of the attendes had. This spacious viewing room was decorated with posh
cushioned attire ideal for comfort sitting with a spell to ensure comfort despite any weather conditions outside. It was at the perfect level of
height and closeness to field for viewing the game and its players.
Hermione was happy Draco enjoyed his gift, but a little dissatisfied with just a kiss on the cheek. However, a proper kiss, she realized, would have
made them late for the game. Arm in arm they popped away to the stadium. It was tucked away deep within a forest where quidditch games were often held, safely away from muggle eyes.
As they walked, however, Hermione noticed a strange stiffness in Draco's gait. Normally he stood tall and
proper, and moved with confidence; but tonight seems a bit different. Perhaps he was ill and didn't want to spoil the date? She decided to keep an
eye on him.
They took their seats and within a few minutes the start of pre game team
introduction performances began. Everyone stood up to watch, including Draco and Hermione. Team England came out first. Their red and
white uniform and fireworks vibrant against the green Quidditch pitch and and blue sky. They recieved a vast amount of home game cheer. When their show concluded Team Bulgaria flew in on Firebolts on a wave of green and red in much bluster and
dominance. A much smaller but noticeable fanfare greeted the visiting team of Bulgaria that had obvious fans of the teams seeker Viktor Krum.
As the two team took starting formation Viktor flow in a unusual pattern in the mid air of the stadium between the two teams that formed a three word phrase.
Yes
Or
No
The crowd had quieted down in confusion, while the words stayed in the air between the two teams.
It was time.
Draco's heart was beating so fast he was certain everyone in the hushed stadium would hear it. He knelt down on one knee facing Hermione as he withdrew the black velvet box from his jacket pocket his from his jacket pocket; his intense storm grey eyes catching her dark chocolate colored
own as he spoke, "Hermione, you deserve the very best. Someone who
will support you in all your endeavors. Someone who will let you excel without limitations. Someone who will love you without end. I think
that someone is me."
He opened the velvet box to reveal the engagement ring that he designed for her. Two heart shaped diamonds faced each other in the center of the
ring. One crimson red while the other emerald green. Each incredibly rare, given they were colored diamonds. On either side of the hearts was a gordian knot design that was made of platinum of the ring; within each gordian knot pattern was four white diamonds.
His eyes found hers one more time as he asked, "Hermione Jean Granger will you grant me the greatest honor I could ever ask for...Will you marry me?"
They entered the minister's box and made themselves comfortable and watched the introductions. Then, along with the rest of the crowd, watched with great confusion at Krum's skywriting. "What on earth does he mean 'yes or no'?"
Then she looked over to see Draco's response and he was knelt down in a position that could only mean one
thing. Each word out of his mouth sent shockwaves of unbridled joy surging through Hermione's mind and body, but she couldn't move. Her heart was beating so fast it almost hurt in her chest. Was it a heart attack, she thought? She was too young and healthy for that, he was just tthat ecstatic.
Then the four words she had been eager to hear escaped Draco's lips and
she nearly fell apart. She felt like an overfilled pot boiling over on the hot stove of the chair she sat in. Her mouth opened, she tried to scream 'YES' but nothing came out. She finally regained control over her body and fell into his arms, tears of joy gently falling from the corner of her eyes. "Of course I will! Yes, yes, YES!!!"
From the moment the word of yes escaped her lips, the words in the middle of the stadium shifted to form a final three word phrase,
She
Said
YES
The whole stadium erupted with cheering and applause of congratulations from attendees and Quidditch team members alike. Most the noise fell on deaf ears in regards to Draco. The only sound in the world that he cared for was the sound her voice had made when she stated her answer. Her voice and it's answer echoed in his mind bringing a joy unlike any he had experienced before
as they enveloped each other into a fierce hug.
When their mutual grasp relaxed just
enough so his lips found hers in a equally fierce kiss. The words disappated from the field and cheers quieted. The referee blew a whistle
and the game began. When their kiss came to a conclusion, an ear to ear smile was displayed on Draco's lips. The euphoria that filled his body
was unlike the pleasantries of lustful evenings. This euphoria was deeper, more meaningful and almost impossible for words to describe.
Almost.
He withdrew the ring from its black velvet box and slipped it onto the ring finger of her left hand and said, "I love you." He spoke with absolute resolution. In that moment as he beheld her joyfully tear streaked cheeks and the reflection of the love
she held for him in her eyes as he surely showed equal in his own; he vowed he would tell her this everyday for the rest of their lives and the life
after if possible. For doing so would never be adequate to truly portray the magnitude of the truthfulness of the statement. But doing so would be a
great way to remember so.
He could not bear to let her go. His right hand fingers interlocked with her left hands fingers as they sat back
down side by side on the two person cushioned sofa. Viktor Krum flew by pausing for but a moment to nod a his headonce at the couple in subtle gesture of congratulations and approval then departed to resume his search for the snitch. Draco leaned against her affectionately and placed
a chaste kiss on her temple. He wasn't really paying attention to the game. He was otherwise distracted, but the
game would serve as a valid reason to stay by her side for a while.
Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes after their lips had parted and she was met with a most amazing sight. She couldn't quite remember
the last time she'd seen someone smile so widely and genuinely. Especially not him. The most she got out of him was a smirk and occasionally a decent smile, but this was pure joy. She was sure her own reflected his. "I love you too, Draco."
She looked at the ring. A ruby and emerald, each representing their Hogwarts house. And the design of
the ring itself was a gordian knot style weave, a reminder of their work together. It was an immaculate and symbolic piece of jewelry in so many ways.
The last couple of minutes felt like a dream. Krum flew by, Hermione waved at his nod as she sat with Draco. She didn't even care about the game anymore, not that she was entirely invested in it to begin with. She only cared about Draco in that moment. His warmth, his touch. She
could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Nothing else mattered in that moment.
Anyone could had asked Draco who won the game and he would say Bulgaria. Only because the disappointment in the atmosphere was palpable around the home game attendees as they made their exit of the stadium.
Meanwhile, Draco and Hermione were all smiles towards one other that clearly had no relation to the game.
He made no move to exit the private viewing room. This seemed odd, until Krum flew by and stopped. He jumped into the viewing box and
used wandless magic to add proper seat for a second rider onto the broomstick. "You take good care of her, yes?" He asked as he extended his
Firebolt out to Draco.
Draco stood gently leading Hermione with him and approached him with a nod, "Of course." Whether the Seeker implied that question towards his broom or toward the woman at Draco's side was impossible to tell. Draco took a hold of the broom and a moment later Krum purposely fell backwards off the edge of the viewing box and out of sight.
Draco dared to lean forward to see what had become of the Seeker and discovered him to have descended gracefully onto another broomstick
below and flew towards the team dressing rooms. Draco looked to his
companion and asked, "Care
to join me on a flight?"
A gasp escaped Hermione when Krum kept backwards off the mezzanine, but couldn't help sigh in exasperation with his antics. "Bloody show off." she
muttered through a smile.
It was a high honor for a legendary seeker like Viktor Krum to lend his broom to just anyone for any reason,
especially just a romantic joyride, so this was one very special occasion. She took Draco's hand and they
climbed onto the broom. "Not too fast, alright?" she asked. She wasn't keen on flying, but with her arms around Draco, she felt almost comfortable as they lifted off into the darkening sky.
"I suppose." Draco teased with a smirk as they mounted the broom and lifted off. He knew she wasn't fond of flying, so the fact she was willing to do so with him was enough for him to respect her request. He kept the broom at reasonable speed as they flew about the Quidditch pitch and
then ventured further into the sky. The hills and valleys could be seen for miles in any direction. Above them sparse clouds began to dissipate,
revealing a magnificent starry sky.
Using his previously established Quidditch skills he steadied the broom to hover in place then lifted a leg over the handle so he sat sideways upon it. "Would you look at that?! There is the constellation Hermes and within hand be a Serpent. Although, I'd like to think of such constellation as a female named Hermione and in her hand is an Asian Dragon instead. Such is a serpent, of sorts, after all."
He looked at Hermione admiring her within the sight of this particular nights sky. "I love you, Hermione." He spoke to Hermione and give her a tender kiss.
When their lips parted he resumed his normal flying position and guided them to the apparition area just
outside the pitch. They dismounted and with a wave of his hand the broom took off out of sight, back to Viktor.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and apparated them back to her home. His least favorite part of any
evening they spent together was inevitably arriving: the farewell. "You know what this means, right? Someday sooner rather than later, I hope, goodnight will no longer mean goodbye." He remarked as he walked
her to her front door his right hand holding her left hand and the newfound ring that was upon it.
The stars in the sky, especially their namesake constellations, seemed to be twinkling in applause as they kissed high above the pitch. The sky was clear for miles around, but the only thing Hermione saw was Draco. Not even the height caused her to panic. She felt as safe as she would on the ground in Draco's company. "I love you too, Draco." she responded mid kiss. They sailed down to the ground and apparated in front of her
doorstep, the streetlights illuminating the dusk.
Draco mentioned what their engagement would lead to. Hermione bit her lip seductively and looked up at him. "I cannot wait for that." she mewled. They stood, facing each
other in silence. Neither one wanted to take the first step away from that moment.
Then Hermione realized something. If they were to be married, then she better start planning soon. "Merlin's
beard," she exclaimed, "I've got to tell my parents! I don't know the first thing about planning a wedding. Or do you think its it's too late? It's pretty late, but I have to tell someone. It's important news after all, I'm sure they won't mind." Amidst her rambling, she made mental notes of who she needed to talk to and almost headed to the door, but she hesitated.
Quickly, she rushed to her fiance and
kissed him passionately. "I love you so much, darling. Thank you for an unforgettable evening."
Her rambling and sudden realization of wedding planning made him genuinely smile. It was just a very Hermione thing to say and do. He felt joy when he observed her in moments like that. It deepened his love for her in a way he couldn't describe
in words or feel based on physical aspects. "I am certain they won't
mind." A chuckle almost escaped his lips as she almost headed inside without a proper farewell. Almost.
She quickly turned around and they engaged in a passionate farewell kiss. Well as passionate as they could permit standing upon her doorstep. "It is I who thanks you for an unforgettable evening, Hermione. After all, you are the one who said
yes." He reminded her as they reluctantly let go of their final embrace and he took a few steps away from her before he lost his resolve. He mouthed the words 'I love you, Hermione. Good night' and apparated out of sight.
He apparated into Malfoy Manor and headed to his bedchamber falling asleep to the feeling of a different kind of euphoria.
Seeing Draco step away felt like a part of her was being removed. Now more so than ever, she didn't want him
to leave. It took every ounce of willpower not to drag him inside.
She blew him a kiss and mouthed "I love you too' back to Draco before he
disapparated.
As soon as he was gone, she hurried inside, slammed the door and shrieked with joy as she hurried to her telephone. "Evening sweetie," her father said cheerily, "How are you?"
"Dad! I have fantastic news! I'm coming over!"
"Darling, our daughter's popping over in a moment." he called out to Mrs. Granger.
"See you soon." They hung up and Hermione apparated into her parent's
den. She stood before them, uncertain how to start, so she simply thrust her left hand out. "He proposed!"
Her mother clapped her hands and rushed over for a hug. Her father laughed and cheered as he joined the hug, "Congratulations darling! You know, you mentioned how he and his family was a bit old fashioned and proper, but you never mentioned he
comes from a wealthy family."
Hermione shrugged, "Well, I didn't think it was important information. I judge people by their character, not their bank accounts."
"That's good. It's just an added
bonus; being capable of providing that is." Mr. Granger agreed.
"Hold on, how did you figure he was wealthy before now?"
"Well, he came by to ask my permission to marry you, like a proper gentleman and unexpectedly gave us a gift as a dowry, he said."
"What kind of gift?" Hermione inquired, hoping it was something relatively normal and not like a potentially curses valuable item she had seen in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts Wizard Bank.
"Well I wasn't sure about authenticity. So I consulted my jeweler friend with imagery and he confirmed them rare nature colored diamonds, of every hue. Very hard to come by."
Nature colored diamonds? She looked at her ring and realized the gems she had previously thought to be emerald and ruby were much much more than that. They had to be the
same quality as the ones he had gifted her father, just cut different.
"By Joe!" her father exclaimed, "That's a marvelous ring, sweetheart. Your man has exquisite taste. I'm sure he'll
be plenty good to you."
She smirked, "you're not just saying that because he gave you a bag of diamonds?" Her parents both giggled. "of course not."
"We know you'd never say yes to anyone that wasn't good enough for you." her mother added, "Besides, I've seen that same look in his eyes as your father gives me all the time. He's the genuine
article."
Hermione looked at the ring, the diamonds glittering like the stars earlier in the night. If it weren't for the ring being on her finger, she would have thought it all to be a dream. "I know he is."
The following day was Sunday and Draco was expected to attend family dinner at the Manor with his mother, his Aunt Andromeda and toddler
cousin Teddy. He had managed to keep himself out of sight for most
of the day. It wasn't that he was avoiding his family. But more of he didn't want to appear as some love potion struck git with the smile that
seemed ever present on his lips since Hermione said yes.
Dinner hour approached and he made his way to the sitting room fireplace to welcome his Aunt and cousin upon arrival via flew powder. Much to his surprise the toddler wasn't upset at the means of traveling. If anything
he babbled in a language of only his own understanding and wanted to do it again. "Come, Teddy let's go eat my
dear grandson." Andromeda encouraged as she picked up the boy in one arm while she gave a hug to her sister.
Draco gave a respectful nod and the four proceeded to the dining hall. The two sisters chatted and Draco could
hardly focus. He had hoped.to just know when was the right time to tell of his good news but didn't know when to state so. Teddy got bored midway through supper and was fascinated with attempting to catch the house elf who conveniently apparated just out of the childs reach and would reappear to service dinner a moment later.
Narcissa knew something was amiss and spoke quietly, "Drace darling is there something you would like to
speak about? You have been quiet all evening." She asked.
The hairline grin he had so desperately tried to surpress peeked out of the corner of his lips. "There is, actually. I am engaged to Ms. Hermione Granger." He announced.
Andromeda paused with a momentary startle, but the expression on her face quickly portrayed that to be one of joy. "That's marvelous Draco! Congratulations to you both!"
Narcissa had a knowing grin on her own face and pulled out her wand. "That's wonderful, my son. I suppose
you may be needing this then." She spoke and pulled out a chain that had been tucked away from view under
her blouse around her neck. She unclasped the necklace and removed an object from it and levitated it to Draco.
It was a black ring with the Malfoy family crest. One that had been Draco's fathers, and his grandfathers before that and so forth from the lineage of previous Malfoy male
bloodlines. Draco looked confused as
to why his father didn't still have it, since he was alive, but locked away in Azkaban. "Prisoners are not allowed
to have personal belongings. One can never truly tell if it will aid in an escape or perhaps a way to end their
life by their own hands. It is yours now, if you so desire it. If you do not, that is...understandable."
Draco could see the softness in his mothers eyes and he picked up the ring and placed it on his left ring finger. It magically adjusted to his
size. "I accept it, thank you Mother. Father had his faults, but as do we all. We can only strive to be better than we were before."
Narcissa nodded and Andromeda clapped in cheery disposition. "Wonderful! So, shall we discuss wedding arrangements? What of a best man for you dear nephew? I
am afraid Teddy is a bit too young to be suitable for such a task. A ring bearer, perhaps. With an enchanted pillow so they do not fall off and
become lost on the big day." Aunt Andromeda began.
That had Draco's mind spinning. A Best Man? Surely he did not want Potter or Weasley for such a position.
It had been years since he talked to anyone from school. Work associates were not really friends. Perhaps Professor Flamel perhaps? He highly respected him, but that was much to unprofessional. Draco's mind settled on Blaise Zabini. Yes, that would probably work, if Blaise be willing.