37

"It's going to be good. Maybe this will give you some closure." I said as we stood outside Daphne and Katie's new flat. I could tell he was nervous though he tried to hide it. His breathing was a bit heavier and he was trying to keep himself cool so he wouldn't sweat through his button down.

I love Draco in suits but I finally convinced him to wear something more casual. And by more casual I mean his black slacks and a white button down shirt. It's a start.

"Just be ready to go if it doesn't go well" he said softly. I nodded, knowing it would bring him some comfort to know I would leave with him if there was any awkwardness or ill will. I knocked on their door and we were instantly greeted by Daphne.

"I'm so happy you came!" She squealed when she opened the door. I handed her the small house plant I was holding in my arms. "You didn't have to get us anything"

"Yes I did! Take it! It's not much anyways, just thought you'd like some greenery now that you're in the city and all." She took it and wrapped me into a hug. She looked at the plant  closely. "it's great, thank you"

"We also brought a few bottles of wine." I smiled pointing to Draco's hand that was big enough to hold two bottles with it.

"That's too much" she sighed. I shook my head and started to move past her  

"Never too much" I laughed. She then went to hug Draco and take the bottles of wine he was holding for her. I saw a brunette girl wearing a summer dress waiting in the kitchen.

"You must be Katie" I said with a big smile.

"That's me," she smiled back and rubbed her arm to release nervous energy.

I walked up to her and held my arms out to see if she would accept a hug. She was hesitant but accepted graciously.

"It's so good to meet you. Even though with the way Daphne talks about you I feel like I already have."  She smiled sweetly and a light blush came to her cheeks. She looked behind me to see Draco. She cleared her throat.

"Draco, I'm glad you could make it. I know how much your friendship means to Daph" she said softly. I looked at him and he just gulped and nodded. I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. "To relive the tension I just want to say Draco, I've forgiven you. Daphne has explained your situation to me. Also seeing the way you acted when y/n had been hurt made me look at you in a different way. I don't want there to be any weird tension between us" she rubbed her arm and awaited his answer.

"I completely understand if you didn't want to forgive me. But thank you. It means a lot" he gave her a small smile.

"Wine anyone?" Daphne said walking to an already prepped counter with a bottle of red wine and six empty glasses.

"Is Blaise bringing someone?" Draco asked looked at the number of glasses.

"Yeah when I had the conversation with him about mine and Katie's relationship, and that you two were coming he insisted he brought somebody. Something about not wanting to be the only single one in the room" she scoffed as she opened the wine.

"Who is he bringing?" Draco asked, Daphne shrugged.

"I think he said something about a friend from Beauxbaton" she said pouring a glass for Draco and I. Thats when we heard a knock on the door.

"Speak of the devil" I muttered giving Draco a small laugh. Daphne opened the door to let in Blaise and a beautiful blonde girl who was very tall and petite.

"Evening everyone" Blaise said after handing a bottle of wine to Daphne. He gave her a hug and started greeting us. He came to give me a hug and when he pulled away I chuckled lightly.

"You going to introduce us Blaise?" I nodded to the girl standing in the doorway.

"Oh Shit right sorry. This is Camille Lambert, she's a family friend. Camille, This is everyone" he said before introducing us all one by one. She gave a shy wave and a smile to use all.

"Well now that we're all here let's get the night started!" Daphne said with a smile. It was nice to see this side of her more. She was glowing.

We drank and talked all night and it felt like a normal friendship for once. No over-looming dread of the future, just being present and enjoying each other's company. After a few rounds of exploding snaps, many drinks and laughs it was already eleven.

"We better get going" Draco whispered in my ear. I nodded and let out a yawn.

"Alright everyone. That's our cue" I said standing and giving them all a hug before we walked out to the streets of London.

"Where are we going?" I asked Draco as he was pulling me down the street. I was taken aback when we didn't apparate home right away.

"We're making a quick stop before we go." He said smiling down at me. We walked for a few blocks, my feet were starting to ache as we came to a large building. He led me inside through what looked to be a busy lobby area and straight to the elevators.

"Is this a hotel? Are we allowed to be in here?" I asked as we waited.

"Not really" he smirked down at me. We walked in and he touched a button that had an R on it. When the doors opened there was a small hallway leading to flight of old stairs. He grabbed my hand again and pulled me toward them. When he opened the door at the top I felt the light summer breeze and looked out to see the lights of the city. It was beautiful.

"How the hell did you find this place?" I asked confused.

"I recruited Daphne for some help. Thought you'd might like it." He walked me closer to the edge as I gazed out.

"It's beautiful." I said with a smile.

"Yeah.. I suppose muggles have their moments" he shrugged before I shoved my body into him lightly. He took my hand and played with the ring he'd gotten me months ago. He started to pull it off my finger.

"What are you doing?" I asked softly.

"Just looking" he barely whispered as he held it up to his face.

"If you drop that Draco-"

"I won't drop it, I just needed it for a second." He said before turning to me. "You know I care about you right?" I looked at him with fear in my eyes. That's a break up line if I ever heard one.

"Are you leaving me?"

"No just- let me talk" he said grabbing the hand that once had a ring on it with a small smile.

"It's hard to process everything that happened over the year. And though I always found you beautiful, there was worry that neither of us would love or even care for each other because of the way we were brought together." He continued. He got down on a knee.

"Draco are you proposing? Were getting married in less than a month" I said with a chuckle.

"Let. Me. Talk." he flashed his smirk up at me. "I want you to know that though we met in the weirdest of ways. And that we were always set to be together forever, whether we really wanted it or not, I've come to love you y/n. I couldn't picture my life without you. You should know that now, you're not my forced forever. You're my chosen forever." I could see my vision burring at his words. "So, with that being said, will you marry me?" My cheeks started to hurt with the smile on my face.

"Yes, Draco. I will" I said softly. He put the ring back on my finger and pulled me into a soft kiss. I put my hands on the back of his head to deepen it before he pulled away from me.

"I also have this" he said pulling something out of his pocket. "My mum gave it to me to give to you, the night you..." his voice trailed. "The night you got the dark mark. She told me it was a family heirloom that is passed down to the woman of each generation. She said it belonged with you" he laid out a silver necklace with a green emerald emblem hanging on it.

"Green emerald is big in your family huh?" He let out a laugh and rolled his eyes. "It's beautiful Draco. Thank you." He turned me around and moved my hair to the side before putting the necklace over my head and clasping it. He put his arms around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder. "I love you" he whispered in my ear.

"I love you too" I closed my eyes and tried to remember this moment. The warmth of his body around me, the butterflies I still have in my stomach when he starts being the softie he claims he isn't.

"Hey who's up there?!" A voice yelled from the staircase. I pulled out of his grasp and turned to face him.

"Shit Draco!" I smacked his chest and he just laughed.

"I said we were allowed up here" he snickered.

"You're going to get us in trouble!" I whisper yelled as the footsteps got closer.

"You act like we can't disappear into thin air" he said smugly before he grabbed my hand and apparating us back to the manor.