Enchantress

Chapter Seventeen - Four Little Words: The Reveal

Chapter Seventeen Synopsis: Four little words can mean the best of things or the worst of things. It can mean the coming together of things or the end of things. It can change lives completely. How will everything be revealed when it all comes to an end?

Chapter Seventeen – Four Little Words: The Reveal

Lots of lives are coming together by a series of different events. Hermione was waiting for her dress to arrive, Draco was in a meeting with Lucius and Severus, Sirius was buying presents and wondering what to do excitedly, The Knights of Duty were busy making arrangements for the ball, Potter and Weasley were off the scene and life seemed relatively safe.

Draco tried to remain calm as he talked to his Father and Severus. It was a serious matter having to talk to both of them at the same time, especially about a subject that was so important to all of them. It didn’t matter though, Draco was serious about this and he would walk through fire to attain what he wanted right now. If he got his Father and Severus on side the rest would be a walk in the park.

Luckily for him, they seemed to be delighted, especially if their identical smiles were anything to go by. According to Severus, Lucius now owed him 10 galleons! They’d bet on Draco and Hermione’s life, that was something that Draco wasn’t really surprised about but still it was a little annoying.

He was happy that his Father and Severus were happy for him but he wasn’t so impressed that they were laughing at him. This was a serious matter! After the laughing had died down, his Father’s face became more serious as he looked at his son. Perhaps now really wasn’t the best time to be frivolous as he could clearly see Draco was not amused. After all wasn’t this what they all wanted, the peace, the love, the bringing together of families, the perfect end to a chaotic year.

“Alright Draco we’re sorry for laughing” said Lucius.

“We didn’t mean to laugh at you Draco, we are just find it amusing that it has taken you so long to come and talk to us about this” replied Severus.

“I just wanted to make sure I was certain” said Draco.

“You’ve been certain for years and you know it Draco” replied Lucius.

“I’ve wanted it for years but I wasn’t certain that it would ever be the right time” he said.

“And it’s the right time now?” asked Severus.

“Yes. Definitely” replied Draco.

“Well, then you will be needing this won’t you” said Lucius.

“Thank you” replied Draco as his Father placed a small square velvet box into his hands.

Draco left with a smile on his face, today was good.

Draco had spent long and hard thinking about how to propose to Hermione. At first he wanted to do something really special because Hermione meant everything to him. But the more he thought about it the more he realised that it didn’t need to be overly special or extravagant, Hermione already knew how much Draco loved her. A big fanfare and parade wasn’t going to make it special. Something elegant and simple though, would do it. Draco didn’t think he’d been more nervous for anything in his life before. He knew that Hermione loved him but there was always that small sliver of fear that she’d reject him.

He didn’t really want to plan anything like a picnic or romantic dinner, he didn’t feel like he could drag this out, he just wanted to be able to take her somewhere that meant something to the both of them and then pop the question. His hands felt sweaty just thinking about it.

He thought about taking her back to the Eiffel Tower for that is where he first felt that he truly loved her but he didn’t want to erase the memory they had there. He also thought about asking her on the steps of the Academy but that didn’t seem right either. He could always take her to a muggle place but that didn’t seem special enough. Finally he thought of the best place, it was somewhere that meant a lot to both of them and had featured greatly in their lives. What an appropriate place to bear witness to his request of her.

“What are we doing here Draco?” asked Hermione as they wandered along the edge of the Black lake. The school wasn’t back yet so it was quiet and peaceful. The castle was looking down at them, as if protecting them from harm.

“I wanted to take you somewhere that meant a lot to both of us. I know you spent a lot of time here, it was like your place to come and relax at. I used to see you curled up under the tree with a book in your hands. You always looked so peaceful and happy. I used to come here to get away from everything else. I could be myself when I was here, the water helped me to relax and unwind” he said.

For someone as smart as Hermione, Draco was quite glad that she had yet to work out why they were there. It made the surprise all the sweeter.

“Hermione, you mean everything to me, literally. I know we come from different backgrounds, like different things, have different views but I couldn’t imagine a single day without you in my life. You’ve transformed me body and soul and made me better, I was lost before you, struggling to cling to the light and avoid the darkness. I never want to lose the feeling I have with you, you make me feel so special and worthy. I want to be the one who always holds you close at night, the one who listens to your worries and fears, the one who stands by your ideas, the one who makes you laugh and smile, the one who holds you when you’re sad and the one who gets to have your love”.

Draco paused to get down on one knee, “Hermione, would you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife” he asked nervously.

Hermione had been silent through his speech, her tearful eyes the only sign of her emotional state. She looked down at the vunerable face of the one she loved with all her heart, “yes” she replied.

Draco’s heart exploded quite spectacularly in response to her one word of commitment. He felt like a star shooting across the sky. This is what absolute joy feels like. Unable to keep his excitement contained, he picked Hermione up and twirled her around in the air. The sun came out and it seemed like the whole of Hogwarts was rejoicing in the light of this joyous occasion.

Daily Prophet Big News                  

Something has happened between Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger though both remain tight lipped about it. Who knows what secret they are hiding, the Wizarding world can only guess and the true answer remains a secret. With the upcoming ball of celebration for Hermione Granger, who knows what will be revealed. This reporter patiently waits for gossip along with all of Wizarding Britain, stay tuned dear readers, stay tuned!

The ball was finally happening, it was mere moments away. Hermione looked down at her dress and exquisite mask, she felt like a complete princess. Tonight would be fun and Hermione was really looking forward to it. The Knights of Duty had really outdone themselves. This wasn’t exactly their forte and until recently they had been formatting a structure plan to ensure the safety of Wizarding England for generations to come. However, now they had become party planners and were hugely enjoying it.

As Hermione dressed so did Draco, Sirius, Lucius, Severus and everyone else. So many thoughts were running through everyone’s heads,

Draco stood alone in his room, his reflection in the floor length mirror projecting everything a Malfoy should be. He would always be a Malfoy but he was now somewhat changed. Changed for the better, if he had imagined his life when he was eleven this would not have been what he’d have thought of, yet now, he couldn’t think of any other future. This was where his life now lay. This was his future. The last year had been a rollercoaster, a rollercoaster of a million different emotions that seemed to put life in perspective. When Draco looked into the mirror he didn’t see a replica of his father, he didn’t see the damage all those years in the dark did, and he saw himself. It was a good image, being himself felt real, being with Hermione felt right, his life was taking a turn for the better and he felt complete.

In another room down the hall, Sirius was having similar thoughts of the past. This past year had been a trip into the past for him, a trip down memory lane, and lost moments of time. When he’d worked out the secret he couldn’t believe that it had taken him so long to work it out. Seeing it now it seemed so painstakingly simple. That tunnel he’d been travelling through for so long had finally come to its lighted end. His only wish was to be able to tell his brother about it, he hoped and prayed that the fates above looked down on him and passed on his news.

AN: The End. When I wrote this I remember thinking it was quite good, now it seems quite bland, oh well. Things change ~ Hannah.