Understanding

Part 15

"And that's the story of you and Draco?" The writer asks me.

"Yes. Did you get everything?" I ask her. She smiles fondly.

"Of course. And I assume you both raised Scorpius and Teddy when you got him?" She asks me.  Her long brown hair is draped down her back.

"Yes. We are still raising the boys." I nod, smiling.

"Wonderful, Harry. Draco will love this." She closes the book she has been writing in for the past several weeks. The woman in front of me is the new Journalist for the Daily Prophet. After Rita Skeeter published that story about me and Draco in our final year, the ministry fired her for her false articles. They believed it was crazy that he and I would ever be together. It was funny to see their faces when I asked for a marriage license last week. I hired her to record everything about the start of my relationship with Draco. I want to have this to always look back on when times are tough. It will be my wedding present to him, if I can ever get the courage to propose. I love him, but after almost three years I know I want to spend the rest of my life with him and I can't wait any longer. And in ten years or so when the boys are teenagers, I want them to know the story of how their dads got together. I know Scorpius will go through a rebellious phase. He's so much like Draco. I want him to know that we aren't trying to be mean and I want him to know we were teens too so that he can try to not hate us. 

"It's beautiful. Thank you." I smile graciously at her after seeing the finished product. The cover has a large lion's head colored in warm reds, yellows, and oranges. Circling the head is a snake painted with dark greens, purples, and blues. On the inside of the first page is a cutout of the article declaring Draco's pardon. The other side of the page is the article about me defeating the Dark Lord. On the following page is the article Rita Skeeter published about us. The next few pages is things that we have accumulated over the years. Scorpius's birth certificate is in here as well as Teddy's adoption papers. Then after that is a letter I hand wrote to Draco and then to the two boys when they get older and then is the story of Draco and I followed by a few blank pages. The final page is our marriage certificate. I feel in my pocket for the little black velvet box. Inside is a silver engagement band for Draco with our hyphened last names engraved in it. Black and white diamonds are placed in a line around the entire band. Tonight is the night. It has to be. I talked to Andromeda who agreed to keep the boys for the weekend again like last weekend. We're lucky she's still here. I asked Draco to a date tonight at his favorite restaurant and I have half an hour to be there. I pay the woman the rest of what I owe her and leave her house. The blank pages are for tonight and our wedding. I'll personally record what happens. I tuck the book in my messenger bag and board the bus to the restaurant. Le Gavroche is lit up with beautiful chandeliers. The hostess leads me to the table I booked just for Draco and I. It is next to a window that overlooks a spacious and colorful garden.

"Draco, baby." I greet my lover who smiles brightly. He hugs me quickly and I press my lips to his soft cheek. He looks stunning in his black suit. The cuff links are a deep emerald shade of green and the pocket-handkerchief matches. He wears his brooch proudly on the breast pocket.

"How was your day?" He asks politely.

"Good. Great. I'm glad we could get away for the evening again." I smile nervously at him as my palms begin to sweat.

"Me too. This is so nice, though. Why this place?" He asks.

"I just wanted to pamper you for once. You do so much for me and I just want to return the favor." I shrug but I have to be careful to make sure my voice doesn't tremble.

"Well, I will certainly have to thank you tonight" He winks with a playful smile pulling at his cheeks. I feel his hand reach and rub my thigh under the table and my eyes fall shut instinctively. This boy has me coming undone under his touch. I swear if I don't marry him I will be so pissed. He teases me for my submissiveness tonight and I can't help but flush red. We switch most of the time but I know tonight I want him to dominate me. He knows it too. Still, we eat peacefully with some small talk that feels comfortable for us. At the end of the meal, the waiter brings out a complimentary bottle of champagne causing me to become even more nervous. It's now or never. Just as requested, the music shifts to the first song Draco and I ever officially danced to. At the Yule Ball, he asked for my hand and I have never felt more out of place than I did when we started the dance. I definitely had too left feet at the time but Draco led me well. It was beautiful.