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Draco's head turned to the entrance of the ballroom, as did ninety-nine percent of the male populace in attendance, as a resplendent woman stepped over the threshold. With Harry Bloody Potter of course. The better two thirds of the Golden Trio seemed even more inseparable since Potter's split from the Weaslette and Granger's, no Hermione's, riddance of her Weasel. Draco couldn't help the slight down turn at the corner of his mouth knowing he'd never get a chance with her now. It seemed she would forever be trapped within her Golden circle. He sighed, reminding himself that the woman on his arm was who he should be focused on, his fiancée, though he honestly found it difficult to care.
When Draco accepted the fact that Hermione was out of his league a few years after Hogwarts, he agreed to the marriage contract with Astoria Greengrass. His only request, nay, demand, had been that he set the date, one that had yet to be determined after two years. If he was well and honest with himself, he knew he didn't love Astoria, and as time wore on, he began to not even like her. Certainly she was pretty enough, but she knew it, and used it. When he had agreed to the contract, he had not yet dug his family's name out of the mud. Since then, his father had passed in Azkaban, his mother became a massive charity donor, to many varying charities, and he had pulled Malfoy Industries into the light, even branching out into Muggle technologies. Cell phones were something that were now as readily available in the wizarding world as they were the Muggle world thanks to his company. Partially in thanks to the spectacular witch dripping in gold heading his direction on Potter's arm. Her gown, though clearly Muggle in origin was pretty, but she made the whole thing stunning with the off the shoulder cap sleeves that led to the heart shaped bodice, wrapped snugly around her glorious figure. Though there was a slit up the right side to her thigh, the gown still trailed the ground slightly, even with her impressive heels, also gold, but with a deep blue underside. Her hair was pulled back in a waterfall braid, allowing the curls to still tumble down her back, but showcasing her elegant face.
As he watched her he remembered how their friendship had started. Around Halloween of their eighth year, Draco had shucked the pride he wore so flawlessly and apologized to Hermione, nearly begging her forgiveness after she and Potter testified for him and his mother, keeping them safe and free from persecution. Lucius had received life in Azkaban, and both Narcissa and Draco knew it was just a matter of time before he gave in to death. He wasn't in the best state, physically or mentally, when he went into the prison and Draco was almost relieved when the letter came announcing his passing. It allowed both of the remaining Malfoy's to begin repairing their name. Though it was hard on his mother, Lucius' death was what ultimately led her to become so involved with charities. That became her new hobby. Where she also happened to make an unusual friendship with the witch who seemed to be the most forgiving person on the planet. When Hermione had forgiven him, stating they were all children forced to fight an adult's war, Draco felt the first sliver of warmth creep into his heart. It had gradually thawed and warmed as their eighth year passed and they became friends. The hug from her at their graduation ceremony in front of everyone meant more to him than anything else in the world ever had. Even since. Nearly a year passed before he saw her again, and he came very close to tripping when it was in the solarium of the Manor having tea with his mother. Apparently they were the head chairs on the board for an orphans of the war charity actually called WoW, a clever acronym for Waifs of War. As he listened to his mother and Hermione's plans, he reminded himself that though technically an adult, Hermione fell under that category as well since her parent's memories were lost due to her excellent casting of the Obliviation spell on them. Something he was later able to inform her, that saved their lives, as the Death Eaters had been unable to find them. She had mourned them, but admitted she would rather have them alive and well, not knowing her, than dead, or in St. Mungo's like Neville's parents. It was a hard, logical truth and he had admired her more for it.
As he watched her draw closer, his mother intercepted the, appropriately named tonight, Golden Duo, brushing the stunning younger witch's cheek with her own in a familiar way before Potter ambled off for drinks. After speaking for several minutes, they began heading his way once more and his heart ached, wishing it was in a different set of circumstances, especially when Astoria hissed in his ear.
"Would you stop!" He had no idea what she was whining about now, so put it out of his head as his mother and Hermione stepped up to him.
"Mother." He greeted her with a bump of his cheek against hers before turning to the beauty who held her arm gracefully.
"Hermione, lovely to see you again." Giving her a slight bow but wishing he could kiss her instead as he stared into her whiskey eyes, noticing how much her golden gown brought out the gold speckles in her eyes.
"And you Draco." She responded with a curtsy. Though she wasn't from a pureblood family, she now rubbed elbows with enough that she could easily blend in with her manners and intelligence.
"Congratulations on such a magnificent ball. The decorations are as immaculate as ever." She complimented them as she looked around at the never melting icicles and garlands strung with berries throughout the ballroom. Draco felt like she was easily the most immaculate decoration in the entire world. Then felt nauseous as Potter returned with champagne for all five of them and Hermione took her glass gently with her left hand. Draco couldn't help but notice the rather impressive sapphire ring that sat on her left ring finger.
"Thank you." Draco threw up his Occlumency walls to hide his pain. "It seems a toast is in order."
"What for?" Potter asked, like he wasn't the git that put the ring there, Draco thought harshly, but simply let his eyes drop to Hermione's ring finger, leading everyone else to look as well. Why did his mother look less than pleased?
"Oh! I-" Hermione started but was cut off by Astoria's excitement.
"Oh! Congratulations! You two make such a beautiful couple!" She burst out happily as Draco felt like his teeth might shatter from how hard he was grinding them. Until both Potter and Hermione looked at each other with shocked expressions.
"Uh, actually-" Potter stammered slowly, but Hermione was quick to speak up, her sentence obviously already well formulated.
"We are not engaged." She gave a delicate snort before continuing. "Not even dating in truth. Harry's like my brother, so we always agree to go to functions together when we don't have any other date." Potter was nodding along happily. Draco's brain was buzzing slightly. He had been under the impression that when the two were free of Weasels, they had gotten together, and that had been over a year now. "I actually got this as a gift for myself for my twenty-fifth birthday last September." She admired the ring for a moment before saying, "Perhaps I should start wearing it on my right hand to keep from giving the wrong impression."
"I did warn you about that." Potter grumbled.
"Well, excuse me for thinking people don't really care about my relationship status. Which seems to be nonexistent here of late thanks to work." She sniffed a bit irritably, like she missed dating.
"Right." Potter scoffed. "Work. How many blokes have you turned down since things didn't work out with Ron?" Hermione's face flushed slightly before Potter continued. "I think you're just too picky Hermione."
"It's called having standards Harry, not being picky." Hermione said rigidly before taking a sip of her champagne then continuing. "I just don't see the point of going on dates with men with whom I have nothing in common."
"How do you know you have nothing in common unless you give them a chance?" Potter asked but Draco was smiling beneath his everyday facade he wore. He wasn't necessarily happy that she couldn't date, but at the same time he was thrilled to know she had standards to match herself. As she should.
"Because I will generally have a test conversation before agreeing or disagreeing to a date and not a single one can truly contribute to conversations." She explained and Draco had to admit that seemed like a fair test.
"That's because you're the Brightest Witch of our Age." Potter said with a teasing eye roll. "Even Malfoy here couldn't ever surpass you in school." Potter loved poking at Draco and though they were on friendly terms, Draco still didn't appreciate it. Until the magnificent witch beside the Chosen One stood up for him.
"Actually Draco beat my N.E.W.T. scores in Defense and Charms." Hermione said with a smile in Draco's direction, making his stomach feel like it was filled with whole chocolate frogs jumping about.
"Charms was still only by one point if you recall." Draco kindly pointed out, knowing his Defense score was a fair bit higher but not wanting to brag, as it was terribly rude.
"That still proves my point that there are intelligent men out there. I've just yet to find a single one that is interested." Hermione gave a flippant shrug but Draco had the sudden urge to tell her he was very much interested, even if he wasn't single. Yet.
"Well, I still say you shouldn't wear your ring on that finger. It's a bit of a deterrent to us guys." Potter tacked on, reminding Hermione that if she wanted the opportunity to date, she needed to at least appear single.
"I honestly don't think it matters much since Draco here is the first one to notice in the three months I've been wearing it." Hermione said with a smile in his direction that warmed his chest again, though he was starting to realize maybe he fit her specifications after all, but covered those thoughts with a compliment.
"It's a beautiful ring, just like it's wearer. Your birth stone?" He asked quickly before she could think too much on his compliment.
"Precisely." Hermione answered just before Astoria cleared her throat gently and ran her left hand over his arm, intentionally showing off the ring she was so proud to have selected from the Malfoy vaults. Draco thought it was hideous. A massive pear shaped yellow diamond in yellow gold and it did nothing to help her skin tone. It especially didn't match the silver of their outfits that evening.
"Your ring is quite lovely Astoria." Hermione said kindly, but Draco knew that tone. It was her politician voice, one that said, 'I'm lying to make you feel better.' Draco hid his knowing smirk with difficulty, something Potter was failing at miserably.
"Why is it yellow?" He asked with nothing other than a disgusted look and Narcissa hid a small laugh behind her fingers as a cough while Hermione smacked Harry's arm in a chiding fashion.
"It's a three karat yellow diamond. They're very rare and exceptionally expensive. Draco gave it to me when he proposed." Astoria said in her high and mighty way.
"I thought that was the one you picked from the vault hours after the marriage contract was signed?" Narcissa shot primly at Astoria and Draco quickly pulled his mouth shut before anyone saw it hanging open. He forgot for a moment how much his mother hated people who brag to make themselves seem more important. As he watched his mother stare down his fiancée, he realized for the first time that Narcissa didn't seem to particularly like Astoria Greengrass. Yet one of the main reasons Draco agreed to marry the girl was to soothe his mother. Though he'd been thinking about it for six months, he realized now, he definitely needed, and wanted, to get out of this contract. Especially if Hermione wasn't locked in a relationship as he had thought. Perhaps he had a chance.
"Well, semantics." Astoria said snobbishly, like it didn't matter. Draco watched his mother sniff distainfully before engaging Hermione in conversation about one of their upcoming charity events. Draco was a little lost in his head, trying to figure out the best way to break things off with Astoria. Then how soon he could start pursuing Hermione. He knew his mother already liked her very much. Several minutes later Hermione, Narcissa, and Potter turned to head to someone else and he received a jab in the ribs. He hissed in pain as he turned to Astoria, not appreciating her childish behavior.
"You need to stop staring at that Mudblood." She said in a stage whisper that made his blood instantly boil.
"WHAT?!" He couldn't believe his ears and jerked his arm away from her, not realizing everyone around them had turned to watch the drama unfold. His vision was a blurry red and pulsed around the woman he had once planned to marry. She looked around carefully before reaching for him, but he backed away, out of her reach. "What did you just say?" He asked her softly, wondering if she would try to cover, or-
"I told you, stop staring at her." Astoria said quietly, very aware of everyone watching them. She seemed to have forgotten his extreme hatred of the slur that passed her lips moments ago.
"And what exactly did you call her?" Draco knew his voice took on a deadly quality when he was this angry, but didn't care. Astoria straightened herself and looked him in the eye.
"It doesn't matter. As your fiancée I don't appreciate you oogling other women. You should appreciate only me." Her haughty attitude clicked something into place in his mind and he smoothed his features.
"Of course." He said very softly, so only she could hear, before extending his left hand to her. She smiled up at him sweetly, thinking she had won.
"Thank you." She said before laying her left hand in his. Perfect. While her hand was still relaxed, he quickly reached up and yanked the hideous yellow rock from her finger, sending it back to his vault with a silent spell. She gasped as he dropped her hand and stepped back.
"No Astoria. Thank you." He held himself tall with his hands clasped behind his back. "For making a decision I'd been pondering over for months, much easier. We" He took the most liberating deep breath. "Are through." He turned and marched towards the kitchens, desperately needing a drink, lest he walk over and kiss Hermione to make his true intentions known. In time, he told himself.
"Draco! DRACO! Don't walk away from me!" Astoria screeched, but he squeezed between a grouping before silently casting a disillusionment charm on himself, something that he had mastered in eighth year to avoid people. "DRACO!"
"Ms. Greengrass." Astoria turned to see Narcissa smiling down at her, but without any warmth. "I suggest you stop screeching like a banshee to retain what dignity you still have."
"But Draco- He just- How could he-?!" Astoria sputtered in her agitation.
"My son does not make decisions lightly, so I believe him when he says he has been debating your engagement for months. Perhaps you'd like to discuss the matter in a more private area?" Narcissa could feel the young girl bristling before her, then Astoria glanced over the older witch's shoulder where Harry and Hermione were standing in quiet shock.
"YOU! This is all your fault!" Astoria shouted at Hermione, pointing a shaking finger.
"Now, Ms. Greengrass, that's quite unnecessary." Narcissa said with a hardened voice, not needing to look back at the young witch she had befriended to know she was most likely standing taller than moments ago.
"And you, Narcissa! You're supporting this? Draco and I have a contract and-"
"And he is head of our house. If he makes a decision, it is final." Narcissa's voice had an edge that Astoria should know to heed by now.
"No! This isn't fair! He can't break off our engagement just because I called her a Mudblood, it's-"
"That's enough." The Lady Malfoy said with enough bite to cut off Astoria's rant. "You will not utter that word in this house hold, preferably never again, but certainly not in present company. Now, if you would kindly remove yourself, you are causing a scene." Narcissa held her head high, making it clear that Astoria was no longer welcome in her home.
"Narcissa!"
"That's Mrs. Malfoy to you. Tizzy." Narcissa said sharply and an elf appeared in a rather elaborate yellow dress. It had been oddly enjoyable to dress her elves in things besides white tea towels.
"My lady called for Tizzy?" The elf asked with a slight bow.
"Indeed. I'd like for you to assist Ms. Astoria Greengrass in collecting her things and escorting her home." Narcissa said with a pleasant smile to her favorite elf while Astoria looked outraged.
"Yes, my lady." Tizzy said before taking Astoria's wrist since her hands were balled into fists.
"You can't just-" Astoria started but Tizzy apparated them both away with a pop before anymore could be said. With a nod, Narcissa turned back to the Golden Duo, only to see Harry looking uncomfortable and Hermione's hand gently covering her mouth.
"I'd like to apologize for Ms. Greengrass' cruel words Hermione-"
"Narcissa, please, there's no need for you to apologize, you've done nothing wrong." Hermione said gently.
"As a guest in my home, she is part of my responsibility, therefore I apologize for her dismal and embarrassing behavior." Narcissa said in a kind voice as she held her hands out for the young witch who had suffered that name far too many times. Hermione, sensing she wouldn't win against this impressive matriarch, simply bowed her head a bit, taking Narcissa's hands in a sign of acceptance, and said,
"Thank you then, for defending me, and standing up for me so kindly." Harry couldn't help but nod along beside the two women, clearly happy that the Malfoy matriarch was on their side.
It was a couple hours later when Draco was looking for Hermione to ensure she was alright that Potter said he hadn't seen her in quite some time.
"Not that it's surprising. This place is massive, especially since you've opened it to the gardens and they're enchanted to stay warm." Potter said, clearly a bit buzzed and enjoying himself amongst a grouping of sycophants. So the blonde wizard headed outside in hopes of seeing the woman in gold he so desired. After happening upon several couples mid-snog he had to acknowledge she wasn't outside.
Draco had just come in and was beginning to think she had left when his mother brushed by him and she placed the image of their library in his mind. Very few knew it, but the mother and son had gotten quite good at using Legilimancy to communicate during the war. He gave his mother the smallest of nods before heading there himself. The doors may have been closed, but he knew that didn't really mean anything and gently pulled one open. He felt like he should have known she would be in here. But his mouth fell open in awe when he saw her though. She looked like a princess sitting in the window nook, looking outside at the stars, with her dress cascading from the nook onto the floor. His heart broke a little when he heard her tiny sniffle and began his careful approach, not wanting to frighten her. Halfway to her though, she surprised him.
"I'll be back down soon." She said before turning to look at him with a sad smile.
"Hermione, I'm so sorry..." He started feeling horrible at how she had been treated, not just tonight, but for years by those still stupidly bigoted.
"Not you too. Your mother already apologized for Astoria's words and actions. You do not need to as well." She told him not unkindly, her eyes still a bit glassy.
"As a matter of fact I do. Since I am the head of household, it seems only appropriate that I apologize for my ex-fiancée's wretched words." Draco said as he came to stand beside her.
"And as I told your mother, you've done nothing wrong, therefore have no reason to apologize." Hermione told him in the same voice that granted him absolution all those years ago. But he wanted to be more honest with her, so just as he had in their eighth year, he knelt down on one knee beside her and took her hand.
"No Hermione. I'm sorry for so much more than that. I stayed with her when I didn't love her." He began, imploring her to hear him out in his entirety. "I should have ended our engagement so long ago, or better, I never should have allowed it to start. Astoria is still stuck firmly in her beliefs of the old ways, something my mother and I have worked hard to rid ourselves of, to truly make a thing of the past. It was an embarrassment to do what I did tonight, but luckily, Astoria made a bigger scene than even I expected, so I'm hoping I won't be spat on too much." Hermione's face turned indignant at that and Draco loved that she was so defensive for him. "But the thing I need to apologize the most for, is being in love with another woman while being engaged." Her mouth dropped open and he could see something like hurt flicker across her face before she carefully concealed it.
"Why do you feel the need to tell me though Draco? I'm sure I'm not your best friend, the one with whom you share your darkest secrets. Or am I just the best at being forgiving?" She asked with a sad chuckle. Draco took a deep breath, knowing he had never put himself out there like this before and praying to any and every deity as he did.
"I'm telling you Hermione, because there was a reason Astoria wanted to rub everything in your face, in particular. Though Astoria was blind to many things, she was not blind to my love for another."
"Then why did she stay?" Hermione couldn't help but ask, having an idea of where he was leading and was struggling to keep a smile from taking over her face.
"My wealth. My family name. For a third reason that I won't yet share. But the woman I love doesn't care about wealth, other than in the form of knowledge. My family name was once a name she hated, and rightfully so." Tiny elegant tears were leaking out of the corners of her eyes now, despite her smile, knowing exactly what was coming. "I've loved you for years Hermione and I'm so sorry it took me so long to tell you. I understand if you can't reciprocate my feelings, but-"
"What?!" She asked in a startled voice and he stared at her in surprise. "Draco, I've loved you since you apologized in our eighth year. It showed me how much you changed, matured, and grew into a better man."
"But you were dating Weasley-" Draco injected.
"Because I didn't think you'd ever see me that way. Ultimately though, you're why I broke it off with him. I had to acknowledge that fantasizing about being with another man while dating one was not a healthy way to live." Hermione admitted as Draco clutched her hands tighter feeling his own chest expand.
"It seems we've wasted enough time then." He told her softly with a sexy smirk before rising just enough to meet her waiting lips. She kissed him back and carded her fingers through his hair with the same passion he gave her. Though Draco wanted to dive into her and forget everything else, he knew he would be expected to make more appearances at his own Christmas ball. Now he would have a very different woman on his arm, the one he truly wanted, making it all the more enjoyable.
After sitting beside one another in the library window nook and snogging for a half hour, they decided it was time to reappear. If anyone thought it inappropriate or odd that Draco Malfoy, engaged only hours earlier, now had Hermione Granger on his arm for the rest of the night, they kept it to themselves. Or perhaps the couple were simply too besotted with one another to care what anyone else said as they danced the night away. Draco's break up and jumping into a new relationship immediately made the headlines of the Daily Prophet the next day.
It was only the following Christmas that a joyful Draco had a vastly happier fiancée, and one he truly couldn't keep his eyes off now. He had proposed on Halloween, marking the day as even more special for the couple. Her sapphire ring moved to her right hand to make room for the unique Asscher cut Alexandrite solitaire that stood proudly in its place. One that Draco had picked from the vaults before getting down on one knee, the third time he had done so for this witch, not including their times in the bedroom of course. Their wedding was already planned for a day in late April in the Malfoy gardens, where the wizarding world would be shocked to see Harry Potter as best man, who also happened to be the one giving his best friend turned sister, away to a man that was once their school yard nemesis. Narcissa let nothing stand in the way of their beautiful day, not even the howler from Astoria that she vanished without a thought. Her return letter kindly reminded Astoria that while Draco didn't marry her, he still held true to his promise to help her with her family's blood curse, which was now broken, courtesy of the Malfoy vaults. Narcissa told the young pureblood that she had best learn her manners, lest the world find out about that problem of hers. Astoria Greengrass never appeared to mention the Malfoy's again.
Their third Christmas was once again notable as the newly dubbed Mrs. Hermione Malfoy was sporting a rather impressive baby bump. Many people had questioned their relationship and it's quick approach to marriage, but is was difficult to argue with the obvious happiness on both of their faces. Anytime Narcissa was with the couple, the smiles were equally abundant and it was clear that the mother-in-law got along splendidly with her daughter-in-law. It was a sign of just how much Draco loved his wife that the world saw him in Gryffindor red that year. Hermione herself was wrapped in an elegant emerald green velvet gown with three quarter sleeves that hugged her figured and made her belly all the more prominent. She was a little past six months and Draco told her he didn't think it was possible to give him a better birthday gift than making their son. Hermione concurred, but said she felt like she should get a similar gift in a few years.
The Daily Prophet happened to snap a photo of the couple just at the end of their conversation so the wizarding world finally caught a glimpse of the amount of love between the two. Draco had been standing behind his wife, holding one of her hands while the other rubbed her belly as they spoke, but the Prophet caught the perfect moment where they finished speaking, broke into radiant smiles before kissing each other more passionately than anyone had ever seen. All the while, Draco's hand that was on his wife's pregnant belly had come up to tenderly hold her face and their linked fingers caressed the other side of Hermione's stomach. There was clearly so much love and adoration, suddenly all of the wizarding world was happy for them.