24. New Plans

The next few months of Draco's life were incredible; the happiest he had ever been. He adored indulging Hermione, taking her on expensive and exquisite dates; he loved spoiling her beyond belief. But, to him, the money didn't mean anything because the more time he spent with Hermione, the more he was falling desperately in love with her. Of course, she was gorgeous, but it was her wit and charm, her laugh, her smile, her beautiful nature, that drew him back to her again and again.

Walking down the corridor towards Harry's office in the Ministry, he was nervous. His and Harry's relationship had become less cold the past few months; they could almost have a conversation without insulting each other. But Draco was there that morning to talk to Harry. The questions he wanted to ask played on his mind as he approached his office and hesitantly knocked on the door.

After a moment, Harry answered, smirking at Draco's obvious anxiousness, he invited him in.

"Good morning Malfoy," Harry chuckled, "for what do I owe the pleasure?

Draco laughed in reply as he took his seat in front of Harry's desk. They were spending too much time together; they almost enjoyed each other's company.

"Morning Potter, I'm here for your help." Draco stated, taking a deep breath to ease his increasing nerves.

Harry studied Draco for a moment, watching him adjust his ridiculously expensive suit jacket and running his hand through his stupid blonde hair, before replying, jokingly "Draco, I can't keep helping you. I'm starting to enjoy having you around."

Draco smiled at Harry for a moment, he was starting to feel the same. He adjusted in his seat, his questions playing on his lips. "Hermione enjoys my company, correct?"

"Malfoy are you serious?" Harry laughed, throwing himself back in his chair before meeting Draco's gaze again. He was more than serious. Harry's laugh died down as he replied "Of course, Hermione enjoys your company you idiot. You're all she ever talks about!"

Draco knew all of this already but smiled, slightly relieved, hearing it from somebody else. "Well, I enjoy her company too."

"Draco, are you here to tell me everything I already know? I'm already reminded you two are together every time you stick your tongue down her throat in front of us. Do you need-"

But Draco had cut him off by pulling out a small, black, velvet box from his pants pocket and opening it for Harry to see inside.

"-YOU WANT TO MARRY HER?!" Harry jumped out of his seat in surprise and put his hands over his eyes. Dramatic.

"Potter, you daft idiot, will you please be quiet and sit down." Draco replied with a chuckle, putting the box back in his pocket. This was exactly the reaction he wanted from Harry; to absolutely horrify him.

Harry sank slowly back in his chair, his mouth agape, as Draco continued, "I'm not proposing to her. Not yet anyway," Draco rolled his eyes as Harry made a sick sound at the thought of him proposing to Hermione, "it's a promise ring. I wanted to know if you thought she would like it."

Harry's heart soared at the news that Draco wasn't proposing to Hermione. He had only just become comfortable with the news that they were dating; he needed some time to recover before they got engaged. "Draco," Harry started, watching him now nervously glance around the room, "as much as I want to hit you over the head every time I see you touch Hermione, you make her the happiest she has ever been. I think she would love it."

Draco breathed a huge sigh of relief, feeling like he hadn't taken a breath since he walked into Harry's office. He rubbed his hands together excitedly and leaned forward in his chair. "Tell me how you proposed to Ginny, I want it to be better than that."

Harry laughed, and threw a scrap ball of parchment straight at Malfoy's face. "Alright, you slimy little git, I'll help you plan this."

****

The next few days passed uneventfully. Draco seemed to be spending a suspicious amount of time in Harry's office. Hermione had questioned this one day, but Draco blew it off as them just reconciling the past. She wasn't dumb enough to believe this though, she knew that Harry and Draco would rather kiss Headmaster McGonagall than ever consider becoming friends.

I didn't help either that Draco had become slightly jumpier around her. Usually calm and collected, Hermione now found Draco forgetting things easily, losing track of conversations, like his mind was completely somewhere else.

As Hermione pottered around her office, collecting her things before she went home for the day, she was interrupted by a knock at her door. Confusedly, wondering who would need to speak to her so late in the evening, she walked over to the door and opened it.

She smiled widely. Standing in the door frame, with a single rose in his hand was Draco. "Hi beautiful." He beamed, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead and hand her the rose.

"Draco this is so sweet of you!" She gushed in reply, her entire face now blushing red.

Leaning effortlessly against the door frame he said nervously, "I'm going to visit some old friends. I won't see you until next week, but I have something planned for us."

Reaching into his suit jacket he pulled out a crisp envelope sealed with his signature wax seal. Giving her one final, sweet kiss he stroked her face lovingly. "I'm going to miss you so much my love. But I will see you very soon."

Hermione waved at him, still speechless, as he walked down the corridor and away from her. Months of dating and he still knew how to take her breath away with one single gesture.

Smiling sadly to herself, she gathered the rest of her things and walked towards the fireplaces to go home. This was going to be a long week.