Chapter 16 - Potter and Hermione
Late that night, Draco was pacing in his study at the Malfoy Manor. He couldn't dismiss the scene from that morning from his head. Potter and Hermione. Potter and Hermione. Potter and Hermione. It became a mantra going around his head. Damn! And with that, he grabbed the glass pyramid paperweight on his table and threw it at the door.
Nicolette was outside his door at that exact moment and stopped mid-knock when she heard a crashing sound and a frustrated scream coming out from Draco. Hesitantly, she knocked twice and tried on the door slowly only to find it unlocked.
"Draco? Draco, darling?" she asked carefully. She peered inside tentatively and when she saw Draco in a heap on the floor by the fireplace, sobbing, she quickly went to him and gathered him in her arms.
She quickly muttered a Reparo at the broken paperweight and levitated it, slowly placing it back at Draco's table, while not removing her arms around him.
"Draco?" she whispered. "What's the matter, love? Whatever brought this on?" she asked, while caressing his hair and his face.
Draco looked up at Nicolette and what she saw made her heart break. She might not really love him that much like most girls should feel towards their fiancés, who would when their marriage was arranged? But at that moment, when Draco looked up to her, vulnerable with tear-stained face, she couldn't help it.
"Oh, Draco…" she murmured, cradling his head at her breasts. She wanted to remove the pain that Draco was feeling at that moment. She wanted to soothe him, pacify him. She was not just sure how.
And before she knew it, they were sharing their first kiss. She wasn't sure who moved in first, if it was her or Draco but it doesn't matter. All that matters was Draco's lips on hers, his hands going around her head to push her into him more.
Draco laid back down on the rug, pulling Nicolette on top of him, not breaking the kiss. If I can't have Hermione, at least I have someone who I could turn to. She might not be what I want but she is a good enough substitute.
Grabbing her at the middle, Draco easily turned Nicolette over so that he was on top of her. Draco immediately attacked her lips then trailed soft yet nipping kisses down her neck and collarbone. He became impatient and immediately ripped off the silk blouse she was wearing, leaving her only in her black silk bra and skirt.
"Draco! What are you -" but what he was he never heard for he was kissing her again.
Nicolette moaned into the kiss and slowly she felt Draco's hand going under her skirt and on her thighs. A little later, her skirt met the same fate as her blouse. She was shocked beyond words at Draco's ministrations. But who was she to complain when The Draco Malfoy is the one doing this to her, however cold and indifferent he might seem even at their "lovemaking"?
When she was finally at her under things only, she heard Draco gave a soft growl and before she knew it, she was naked under his fully clothed body. He made love to her that night for the very first time, even if she was not at all satisfied. But she had done her part; she made Draco forget for the meantime. She was able to soothe him and pacify him that night.
Draco Malfoy forgot one bushy-haired, know-it-all woman who at that moment was at The-Wizard-Who-Saved-The-World's arms. Even for just that night, he forgot her.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Hermione went home that night very tired from a Manic Monday at work. She was running around the office attending meetings and going over proposals and reports. Their conference was nearing already, in a month's time and of course, they all wanted it to be a success. So it's all work, work and work.
All she wanted to do that night was grab a hot bath for a while and sleep under her warm covers, preferably with Harry's arms around her.
She walked in the house to find the living room in darkness. It was 8:00PM and she wondered where her boys may be. Harry didn't tell her that he has an assignment which would keep him late and neither had Ron flooed her to tell her if he had a late practice. Usually they did so as not to let her worry.
She groped for the light switch and pushed it. When the light was finally on at the living room, she gasped at the sight that greeted her. Bouquets in vases and baskets of different colored tulips, her favorite flower, were all around the living room. Several petals were showered on the floor leading up the stairs. Immediately, whatever tiredness she was feeling, was gone.
She went to the nearest bouquet that was arrayed on the table beside the front door. She grasped it, took a deep breath and sighed at the aroma the flowers gave off. She found a note stuck between the leaves of the tulips that only read, "Just follow the petals." The petals on the floor were immediately explained.
She carefully placed the bouquet of tulips back on the table and curiously followed the petals leading up the stairs. When she went up, she gaped still at the numerous vases and baskets with bouquets of tulips lining the wall.
She looked down at the floor and traced where the petals end up. She was surprised when it ended at Harry's bedroom door. With a naughty grin, she quickly but quietly went towards Harry's bedroom, hearing soft music playing inside and turned the door knob only to find it locked. She sighed in frustration, straightened herself and poised herself to knock. But before she even raised her fist to the door, it suddenly opened in its own accord.
When she stepped in, she gasped again at the romantic setting that Harry had made especially for her. Instead of the usuals in Harry's bedroom, she saw a table set for two at the middle of his room. Beside it was a food cart containing covered bowls and plates with sumptuous dishes, she presumed, and a chilled bottle of champagne.
There were candles all around and bouquets of tulips as well, giving off a very romantic aroma. There was music playing in the background. From where, she didn't want to fathom. At the other end of Harry's room, the sliding door leading to the veranda was open letting in a soft cool breeze with the view of the fantastic night sky.
Hermione stood completely still, as if she had been petrified, until she slowly brought her hands up to cover her slightly open mouth, eyes shining with emotion.
"Milady…"
Slowly, she dropped her hands and turned around upon hearing that husky voice she knew so well by now, not even trying to fathom where he came from since he wasn't there when she went in. Her breath caught at the sight of Harry standing in front of her. He was dressed in a Muggle suit, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean body. He was smiling seductively and looking at her with such heat in his eyes.
He gave her a long-stemmed white tulip tied in a silver and white ribbon and as she accepted it, he held onto her hand and kissed it gently. She wanted to swoon at the moment she saw him and especially when he did that but she held her ground.
"Kind sir," she said quietly. "What brought all of this on?"
Harry never let go of her hand as he gazed at her intently and replied, "You."
Hermione smiled at him lovingly and pulled him towards her for a brief but sweet kiss, enough to keep both of them light-headed.
When they pulled apart, Harry smiled at her and waved his hand in front of her. Immediately, her work robes and clothes disappeared and were replaced by a sexy white chiffon cocktail dress and white high-heeled sandals. Her hair was put up in a French twist and she had on simple yet stunning accessories to go with her look. She gasped at this and grinned at Harry. "You sure do know how to surprise a woman, Harry."
Harry simply smiled back and quietly walked her towards the table. "I presume milady has not yet eaten her evening meal. I prepared only the best for you."
"Oh, Harry…" she said as Harry escorted her towards the table and pulled out the chair for her.
Quietly, they ate their dinner, comfortable at the clinking noise of the silverware and the silence between them.
After eating dinner and dessert, the dishes magically disappeared to the surprise of Hermione. The soft music became prominent and Harry stood up. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, extending his hand towards her.
She didn't reply but she accepted his hand and was pulled to her feet. They began slow-dancing, swaying to the music, content in the arms of each other. After a couple of songs, Harry pulled away from Hermione and said, "Let's get some fresh air out in the veranda." Hermione nodded and she let herself be led away by Harry, his hand on the small of her back.
They stepped out on the veranda. Harry placed his left hand on the railings, his other hand not leaving Hermione's back. It was a warm night but Hermione shivered, not from the cold but from the anticipation of where Harry's plans were leading them.
"Are you cold?" asked Harry concernedly. She shook her head but Harry took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. She smiled at him gratefully and leaned into him. Harry placed his arms around her in a comforting manner.
She sighed happily, resting her head on Harry's shoulders. "I love you, Harry."
Harry replied by kissing her forehead. They stayed that way for a while, basking in the love of each other. After several minutes, Harry removed his arms around Hermione and turned her slowly to face him.
When Hermione looked up at him questioningly, he just smiled and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. "I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
Harry stepped away from her and asked her to close her eyes. She arched her eyebrow but complied nonetheless. When he was sure that Hermione had her eyes closed, he reached inside his pocket for a small black velvet box. He knelt down in front of Hermione and held her hand.
"Harry, what are you doing?" she asked curiously, her eyes still closed.
Harry chuckled and told her to open her eyes. When she did, she gave a sharp intake of breath upon seeing Harry kneeling in front of her, black velvet box in an open palm. Hermione had the sudden urge to cry. Is this what I think it is?
He took a deep breath and launched into a speech, Hermione knew he prepared but came from his heart nonetheless.
"'Mione, we haven't been in this relationship for so long, I know. But I think I know you well enough to ask you this. Heck, we've been best friends for more than a decade now, defeated the Dark Lord together, went through rough times together for me to know that this is right," he chuckled, paused and gazed into her lovely teary eyes.
"You were always there for me. Through the good times and the bad. You cared for me when no one else would. You believed in me when I said that I didn't set that basilisk free during second year. You were the one who went back in time with me to save the godfather I never knew I had. You stuck by my side when everyone taught I cheated on the Triwizard Tournament. I almost became a murderer, wanting to kill Dolohov for throwing that hex on you because I thought that you were killed. You went all the way with me, enduring my impatience, my tantrums just to find the Horcruxes and eventually, you were with me, fighting by my side, casting that spell with Ron that became the end of Voldemort.
When I woke up from exhaustion a couple of days later after the big fight, you were the first one I sought for. I thought they took you away from me because I saw you fall beside me before I collapsed. I thought you were… You were…," he paused, unable to continue. Hermione knelt down in front of him and embraced him, trying to stifle her sobs, thoughts from their past all rushing back.
"But you weren't. Ron was beside me when I woke up and told me you're just in the other room and perfectly fine. I was crying then because of relief. I vowed then, together with Ron, that I was going to take good care of you, no matter what.
Then we moved into this house. I kept my distance from you then, thinking that Ron still had something for you. I just watched you from a distance, ready to spring out if you need me. But then a year later, Ron hooked up with Luna and later on - I began to realize what it was that I was feeling for you. Why I was so protective of you. Why I was so possessive of you. Even if I had my share of women, I always compare them to you and we end up breaking up because they couldn't measure up to you.
I realized that it was you I wanted for so long. I realized I love you," he stopped, pulled away and gazed into her eyes. He opened the velvet box and Hermione gawked at what she saw inside, a platinum diamond ring with small rubies and emeralds surrounding the big round fancy cut diamond in the middle.
"Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?"
Hermione was sobbing but she smiled and threw her arms around Harry. "Yes. Oh, yes!" she whispered in his ear.
Gently, Harry pushed her away and grabbed her left hand. Tenderly, he removed the diamond ring from the box and slipped it in her ring finger. Then he kissed her sweetly. "I love you, `Mione."
"I love you, too," she replied and gazed at her engagement ring admirably. "Why the rubies and emeralds?"
"Rubies because you are a very brave Gryffindor and emeralds so that you would always be reminded of me. The diamond, I don't think I have to explain that."
Hermione giggled. "No, you don't have to. I love it, Harry. Thank you."
"No, thank you. For being with me."
Hermione smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. She pulled away after a while and asked, "Where's Ron, by the way?"
"Oh, he's at the Burrow now I guess. When I got home, he was on his way to pick up Luna and head towards the Burrow. I think Molly's throwing their monthly family dinner where everyone should be present," he answered.
"Shouldn't we be there as well?"
"Yeah, but I told Molly I have something planned tonight for my girl so she let me, us, be excused," he grinned.
She slapped him at the arm, playfully and said, "You prat!"
"What? It was a special night, and you did promise me this morning that we'll continue what we we're doing a while ago," he said, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Hermione laughed and let Harry pull her to her feet and through his bedroom, which still was adorned for their date, into her room and closed the door.
----------------------------------------------------------------
(A/N: Sorry if this took so long. But hey - here it is, finally. :) My kisses and love for this chapter goes to my wonderful beta, Lady Starlight!)
-->