Snow Storm - D.M , H.G

24. Surprise party

There were no words to describe the relief that washed over Draco on Thursday night when he received word from Potter that the Grangers had been found, and fully restored, and were anxiously awaiting the reunion with their daughter. The party was set, arrangements were all in place, invitations sent, RSVPs received. All that was left was to get her there. They would be having a double-date with Ginny and Harry, that's how the story went, anyway.

"Hermione, are you ready?" Draco asked, knocking twice just to be polite before entering her bedroom. "We've gotta meet the Potters downstairs in ten minutes." He was dressed in a nice suit, knowing that this would be the day that he would meet his (hopefully) future in-laws. He knew they must know only terrible things about him, if anything at all, and he wanted to make as best an impression as possible.

Hermione knew she needed to dress up a bit. So she put on a nice dress, and did her hair, put on a little extra make-up, and was just putting the finishing touches on her hair when Draco knocked. "Yeah, I'm ready," she told him. She finished what she was doing before sitting down on the edge of her bed to put her shoes on. She was wearing heels, small heels, so she didn't end up twisting her ankle or falling over.

Once she had them strapped on, she stood up, and grabbed her coat. "Alright, let's go," she said, and finally looked at him, smiling. "You look great," she said, walking towards him and putting an arm through his.

Draco looked at the beauty that was his girlfriend. "And you look absolutely spectacular," he told her. Her beauty was so simple that even with her hair not done and no makeup on, she still blew him away every time he woke up next to her. So of course, on nights like this when she went that extra mile to dress up, he could hardly keep his hands off of her. "So, you haven't told Ginny anything, right?" he asked, wondering if she'd been able to maintain the secret.

Hermione grinned up at him, "I know how to keep a secret. Don't worry," she told him. She had a lot of practice at it this year, and it was finally a good secret that wouldn't hurt anyone. "As far as they know, we're just going for a double date," she told him, walking with him out of the dorm. He was right, they would be late to their own party if they didn't hurry.

They met with Ginny and Harry at the bottom of the grand staircase. Ginny was in a lacy kelly green dress, knee length with long sleeves, and form fitting, showing off the bump that seemed to grow a bit every day. The color made her copper hair pop. She was beaming, delighted to be getting out of the castle. When the Heads arrived, she greeted Hermione with a hug.

"I'm so glad we're doing this again," Ginny said to the two. "Maybe if we can get through tonight without too much media attention we can make this a monthly thing," she suggested hopefully.

Draco chuckled. "I don't think there's anything new they can write about us now," he reasoned. Then again, the media was yet unaware of the Malfoy heir Hermione carried, and he hoped to keep it that way a while longer. "Nothing bad, at least."

Hermione hugged Ginny back, grinning at her friend. "That would be great, I doubt there will be much for them to write about, even if they do show up," she said, smiling. "You look great, Gin." Hermione said, as they all began walking towards the entrance of the castle. She was anxious to get to the party, and surprise her friends. They both deserved a party, and she was happy Draco had thought of it.

Harry grinned at both of them, glancing at Draco with a nod. Her parents were going to be joining them at the Three Broomsticks, along with everyone else she had invited. Everything had gone according to plan, and he couldn't be more pleased. "You both look lovely." Harry said. "Now, let's get moving." He said, wrapping an arm around Ginny, and giving her a squeeze.

When at last they arrived at the pub, Draco opened the door for the others, waiting for the moment the guests inside shouted their "surprise!" to the newly engaged couple. The Grangers would be arriving soon, wanting their entrance to come after the party was already underway.