Chapter 21

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Draco sat anxiously in his office, watching the time tick away.

Minutes turned into hours and finally, it was six pm.

Pushing back his chair, he bid Doris a good evening and left.

At Blaise's flagship store in Diagon Alley...

The loud thud cut through the silence, Blaise looked up to see his best friend walk towards him and take the seat in front.

Draco leaned back into the padded chair with a grin plastered on his face

Blaise narrowed his eyes, studying him and laughed, "Are you back with Granger?"

"I am," Draco replied confidently and joined in the laughter.

Blaise shook his head, "Took you long enough you stupid prat."

With a serious face, Draco leaned forward, "I want to thank you, for being a fucking good friend."

Blaise smiled, a twinkle lit up his eyes, "I think a celebration is in order, Drake."

Draco smiled, "Definitely, Theo?"

Blaise reached for his coat, "Let's message him on the way."

He slipped into it and asked curiously, "Where do you fancy, mate?"

Draco gave it a bit of thought and smirked, "Let's check out Hogshead."

He felt like taking a trip down memory lane.

Blaise sighed reminiscently and agreed wholeheartedly, "Good one mate."

Hogshead Bar...

The apparated outside the rundown bar in Hogsmeade.

The place had been their spot for years, it brought back fond crazy memories.

"Bitches," Theos dulcet tones greeted them.

Blaise and Draco turned to face the lanky Slytherin.

Theo stood in front of the bar and gazed lovingly at the Boar, "I have missed you, Clarence."

Blaise and Draco exchanged looks.

Draco rubbed the bridge of his nose and asked, "I know, I'm going to fucking regret this, but who the fuck is Clarence?"

Theo pointed at the Sign, the Boar.

He smiled tenderly, "The Boar is Clarence."

Blaise smacked him over the head, "You're fucking mental."

The trio laughed as they dusted their coats and entered the bar.

They were overcome with the nostalgia of their days at Hogwarts.

So much had happened within these walls, good, bad and definitely the ugly.

Not a bloody thing had changed, the bar was the exact fucking same.

It felt glorious!

The barman came out to greet them, "My my how you buggers have grown, I still haven't got a group to match you Slytherins."

Theo put his arm around the barman, "Good to see you too Aberforth."

Draco patted him on the shoulder and asked, "How have you been?"

Aberforth looked at them miserably, "My goat died."

The men exchanged looks and offered their condolences, they knew goats meant a great deal to Aberforth.

They slid into a dusty booth and got comfortable.

His mood changed and Aberforth grinned, "It's good to see you boys, the first round is on me."

"Join us mate," Blaise asked Aberfoth when he brought over their drinks.

The old man slid into the booth next to Theo and they spoke of the mischief they had gotten to while at Hogwarts and new developments.

"Granger?" He asked Draco in shock,

He laughed heartily and wiped butterbeer off his beard, "You and the Gryffindor Princess? Merlin's beard, I was not expecting that."

Theo cracked jokes that had the three men laughing for the rest of the night.

Draco was grateful that despite every fuck up he had to endure; his friends remained close.

They had always been around, no matter what the problem.

He looked over at Theo and Blaise fondly and took a swig from his drink.

The three friends stumbled out the bar in high spirits and apparated to Draco's flat, where they fell into an alcohol-induced sleep wherever they dropped.

And that is exactly how Hermione found them the following morning.

Theo spread-eagled on the floor, Blaise balled up on the armchair and Draco sprawled awkwardly across on the couch.

She giggled, took out her phone, and quickly snapped a picture.

They looked a right sight, she laughed to herself while making coffee and breakfast for the three men who would be up soon, sporting headaches and hunger.

A few days later...

Over the next few days, Hermione realized that she had not packed at all.

She plopped down on the couch with her head in her hands, "Shit, there's so much more to pack."

Draco brushed her hair and made a few calls.

Within the next hour, the small flat filled with their friends.

They helped Hermione pack the remaining of her clothes and belongings.

Four wizards and three witches could make all the difference.

In next to no time, she was fully packed and ready to leave.

Theo sealed a box shut and complained, "Why do you have so much useless shit, Granger?"

Exhausted, they collapsed onto the floor and ordered takeout food.

Hermione watched her friends from her small kitchen.

Luna sitting on Theo's lap sharing a bag of cheese puffs, Ginny cuddled up to Harry talking to Blaise about Quidditch equipment.

She felt strong arms go around her.

"Are you alright?" Draco asked concerned.

Hermione choked back a sob, "I'm going to miss everyone so much."

He kissed her forehead, "You'll be back soon babe."

She hugged him back, yes, she would be back soon.

Ministry Of Magic - Day of departure.

Draco rubbed Hermione's shoulders and stared into her face, "I'll see you in a couple of days."

She cupped his face and kissed him.

Everyone was standing around the Portkey.

Ginny hugged Hermione and both women sobbed softly.

Ginny cried, "I'm going to miss you so much."

Hermione hugged her back tightly, "The minute I'm back, we have to start planning the wedding."

Harry hugged her next, "Be careful and be safe, we will visit as often as possible."

Hermione nodded and looked around at her friends and kissed her boyfriend, "I love you, Draco."

He kissed her back passionately, "Always."

Ron had said his goodbye earlier at the flat, he did not think it was appropriate to be at her farewell party at the Ministry.

They were working on their friendship and grudgingly Draco agreed to be understanding.

Fuck that!

If Weasel shit stepped a toe out of line, he would hex him into a pile of dog shit.

Cormac stood beside her, looking uncomfortable, Draco glared at him in contempt and warning.

Hermione looked at each of her friends and her eyes settled on Draco.

She smiled and yelled, "SEE YOU SOON!"

They touched the Portkey and disappeared.

Draco frowned, put his hands in his pocket and hung his head.

Ginny reached over, squeezed his hand and looked at him sympathetically.

Harry patted his back, "Why don't you come over for dinner Malfoy?"

It was a genuine invitation.

Draco smiled and replied, "Yeah, I'd like that, Potter."

He was slightly taken back by the invitation but he welcomed it just the same.

7 months down the line – At The Grangers residence.

Draco sat with a steaming mug of tea in the Grangers kitchen listening intently to Hermione's parents.

Richard beamed, "If you love my daughter and treat her right, we have no objections."

He pressed proudly, "Hermione is a very smart girl and we trust her choices."

Julia smiled in her motherly way, "When you came over last, we could see how much you cared about each other."

Richard got up and pulled Draco into an awkward hug.

He patted the young man on the back and said, "If you want our blessings, son, then you most certainly have it."

He added seriously, "She's my only child and I'm fiercely protective of her but I can see in your eyes that you feel the same."

Draco nodded and replied seriously, "I do, sir."

Julia rose to her feet, gave him a warm hug and smiled at him lovingly.

The elderly couple held each other and watched the young wizard get ready to leave.

Draco smiled with renewed purpose at the two older Grangers and stepped outside into the snow.

Taking out his wand, he quickly disapparated to Harry's house.

Draco's new hangout - No. 12 Grimmauld Place.

Harry jumped at the noise and opened the door.

Draco walked in dusting the snow off his black jacket and sat down in a green armchair.

Harry handed him a butterbeer and asked curiously, "So, how did it go?"

Draco had a bright smile plastered to his face, "It went really well, they like me."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Still the egotistical prat."

Draco smirked and showed Harry the finger.

The two men laughed, Ginny came running down the stairs and squealed excitedly, "Did they give you their blessings?"

Draco winked and retorted smugly, "Was there any doubt?''

Ginny smacked him over the head and settled down on Harry's lap.

They planned the surprise engagement party.

A year later...

The year passed by considerably faster than Draco and Hermione expected.

It helped a great deal that he was in New York with her for the most part and Harry and Ginny visited often.

Hermione wasn't thrilled about leaving New York, she made some good friends and it was a completely unreal experience working with the Americans and their Legislations.

They offered her the job, but she had politely declined.

Her life wasn't in New York, it was back in London.

Cormac found love with a feisty raven-haired beauty, who spoke with a thick southern accent and he was smitten.

It was a huge relief to Hermione because that ensured that he kept himself well and truly away from her.

Hermione suggested they offer him the job and he accepted wholeheartedly.

The second time Draco visited, she took a week off and they had gone on a road trip.

They visited the States that were closest and spent most of their time exploring museums.

The best part of the trip turned out to be the few days spent in Las Vegas.

They had gotten incredibly drunk, dabbled in a bit of blackjack and slot machines, and made love morning and night.

When they passed a cheap-looking chapel, Draco hurriedly dragged Hermione away before they gave into temptation and did something utterly stupid.

Back in London...

Hermione felt great to be back home, she took a deep breath and the crispness filled her nostrils, the chilly air felt marvellous against her skin.

Deep in thought, she didn't notice Draco wrap his arms around her in the middle of her parent's house.

Everyone gathered for Sunday brunch as a welcome back party.

He kissed the top of her mussed head and muttered, "I've missed you."

She laughed, "You saw me two days ago."

Draco winked and gave her a quick kiss.

Taking her hand in his, he led her away from the crowd and into the backyard where her mother religiously grew roses and orchids.

She took a deep sniff, it was her favourite part of the house because it always smelt heavenly.

Draco took her hands in his nervously, "I love you, and I'm rubbish at this sort of thing."

Hermione eyed him suspiciously.

He cupped her face with slightly trembling hands and wet his lips,

She leaned into his palm, loving the feel of his cool skin against her cheek.

He gazed into her eyes, the fiery orbs he loved so much stared back at him adoringly and the corners of her mouth curved upward in a smile.

Taking a deep breath, Draco blurted out, "Will you marry me? I'm fucking miserable without you by my side twenty-four-seven."

Hermione laughed softly and pressed her lips to his, "It's about bloody time you asked."

He laughed softly and waved his wand.

The most beautiful ring appeared out of thin air and landed on her finger.

Draco took her hand and kissed her finger, "It's a Malfoy family heirloom, my mother insisted I give it to you."

Hermione was visibly shocked,

She croaked, "She knows? And this is beautiful."

He grinned "Of course, she knows Granger, she's my mother."

He added seriously, "Besides, it will appear on that sodding tapestry with all the family members and then she will have my head for not telling her."

Draco kissed her nose, "And I wanted to do things right."

Hermione smirked and hugged him, "Never pegged you for a traditional romantic."

Draco took her hand, "Let's go tell everyone the good news, shall we?"

She beamed and let him drag her into the house.

Loud cheers erupted from within.

They were finally together and the future looked bright.