Slug CLub

43. #TeamDramione

Draco sat on the chaise lounge in his suite vest and slacks, elbows on his knees, head hanging over his loosely clasped hands. His eyes were closed, a gentle smile playing across his lips. He couldn't believe this day was finally here. His wedding day. He could remember like it was just yesterday when she hated everything about him, when she would have rather seen him dead than touch him, let alone be marrying him. His smile widened as he thought back over the years, reliving their story behind his closed lids.

It was third year. He was standing on the quad with Crabbe and Goyle, watching as Fudge, McNair, and the ancient Ministry wizard made their way to the oaf's hovel. He was ecstatic, he'd managed to play off his "injury" so well! Granted, his father hadn't managed to get the stupid lump sacked, but at least he was managing to take away his precious beast. Make a fool out of Draco Malfoy, will he? Well, this was payback.

The three of them huddled behind the rock slab, snickering to one another, when a voice rang out behind them.

"What are you doing here?" I wheeled around and sneered. One of the Weasley's. and Potter. Of course it was Potter.

"Aw, come to see the show?" I yelled across the courtyard. That was when it happened. I'd never in my life seen her like this. She charged out from behind Weasley and Potter and came flying at me, yelling, wand up. She jammed it under my chin, still yelling at me, but I wasn't hearing her words. I was seeing her face. It was....spectacular. Her anger had brought out a version of her I never knew existed. She was fierce. She was vicious.

She turned away as Weasley's yelling finally got through to her, but she wasn't done. Before she walked away, she whipped around and cracked me hard in the jaw. I spun around, either Cradde or Goyle stopped me from hitting the rock slab and we ran. But that hit? It had sealed the deal. She was incredible. But I could never let anyone know that. She was a mudblood!

That was his first memory of feeling anything for her at all. Draco opened his eyes and stood up, looking around the lavishly decorated parlor. He'd sent his groomsmen along to give him a bit of time to prepare himself. In reality, it was this time to reminisce that he'd been craving. He strode across the priceless oriental to an ornate floor length mirror. He pushed back his shoulders, looking over his features. Tugging down the sleeves of his crisp white dress shirt, he continued his perusal through history as he fastened his emerald cufflinks.

Fourth year this time. Christmas time. He'd generally forgotten about the small flash of attraction in the courtyard. He'd allowed Pansy to convince him to take her to the Yule Ball, mainly because he would never be caught dead without a date, or even worse, a date from another house. He strode up the stairs from the dungeon with her little claws attached to his arm. When they reached the entrance hall, he glanced around, looking to ensure he wasn't being shown up. Crabbe and Goyle lumbered up the stairs behind them, both considerably larger than most in their year or the year above them for that matter. As he was scanning the crowd, Pansy made an indignant squeak beside him. Turning his head to tell her to shut up, he froze. A girl was coming down the marble staircase in a periwinkle dress, her hair pulled up into an elegant bun on her head. Her smile was radiant and she stopped at the bottom of the staircase and was greeted by Viktor Krum, who bowed and kissed her hand gently. Squinting, Draco tried to make out who exactly she was and wondered why he'd never seen her before.

"It's Granger!" Pansy hissed into his ear. "Who does she think she is?" Draco started and looked at Pansy blankly. Granger? Hermione Granger? That was Hermione Granger looking that pretty? Careful to hide his shock, he pulled Pansy along and they entered the Great Hall, carefully avoiding looking at her at all.

He watched her dance happily with Krum all night. Watched her smile and talk and laugh while he lounged sullenly with Pansy fussing over him, making her presence known. He watched Krum bring her drinks, watched him escort her around the Hall and introduce her to his friends from Durmstrang.