Snow Storm - D.M , H.G

33. Going to the chapel

It'd been three days since Draco approached his formerly betrothed. It was Saturday afternoon, and Draco didn't think he could stand the wait. How long would it take for Astoria to convince her boyfriend to elope? Had she even had the nerve to ask? She knew this was time sensitive, right? He nearly ran out of cigarettes from smoking so much in the last seventy-two hours, until he remembered he could duplicate them.

Finally, there was an unexpected knock on the door, drawing Draco's attention away from his homework. Maybe it was them? Draco moved quickly to answer, relief washing over them when he saw the younger couple standing there. Just as quickly, anxiety flooded him too. Just because they were here to talk didn't mean it was good news. They could be coming to reject the proposal. He greeted them, and welcomed them inside. "Hermione, could you come out here please?" he called towards the bedroom where she had been lying down with a book and her cat.

Astoria stood with her boyfriend, Kole, waiting for Draco to let them in, which only took a mere few seconds after she had knocked. She could see how anxious he was, and she walked inside, pulling Kole along with her. They sat down on the couch, and a minute later, Hermione joined the group, a smile on her face.

Hermione had been doing her best to rest and relax while Draco stressed over what would happen. She didn't have the luxury of stressing out, so instead she busied herself with making sure she stayed healthy, and as happy as she could be, considering their fate was hanging in the balance. "This must be your boyfriend... Kole, is it?" Hermione asked, having seen him around.

Astoria gave a nod, but smirked a little. "Fiance, actually. But, yes." She corrected her. "That is, if we all agree on the terms we discussed." Her and Kole were indeed in love, but she never thought it would actually work out with him. In truth, they were doing her a favor, too, but without the money she wasn't comfortable taking the leap and marrying down.

Draco was able to finally settle on relief. All he had to worry about now was whether or not they'd accept the offer. He and Hermione had talked it through. They'd start with ten grand. Ten thousand galleons was more than enough to purchase a comfortable home to begin a family in. But he knew she'd want more, and he was prepared for that. "Yes, Hermione and I talked about it, and we'd like to offer you ten thousand galleons to get you started." He looked over at Hermione and took her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. He was curious how difficult she'd be.

Kole turned his attention to Astoria, wondering if this was an acceptable term, because he honestly wasn't sure. His family wasn't broke, but neither of his parents came from the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and he hadn't ever had any hope of being able to keep a girl like her.

Hermione squeezed his hand gently, she felt the relief wash over her, and she knew he did, too. Now they just had to settle the money part of it.

Astoria considered his offer, it was generous, but she knew he was starting off lower than he was actually willing to go. "Let's make it fifteen, and we have a deal." She told him. "We can settle the monthly payments after we actually get married." She added, knowing he would want them to actually have tied the knot before throwing anymore money at them.

Draco was honestly surprised she hadn't asked for more, but he couldn't agree to it too easily, or else the later negotiations would be brutal. He looked over at Hermione for a moment, trying to read her, but she had previously agreed to let him do what he thought was best, so he turned back to Astoria. "Let's split the difference at twelve-five. You and I both know that's more than enough. You'll have to buy a muggle home anyway, and the exchange will get you far with that kind of quid. Trust me." He'd just bought a home, so he would certainly know.

Astoria looked to Kole briefly, but she knew that he was trusting her to make sure they were taken care of. Not coming from money meant he had been fully prepared to live a simple life, and work for everything he would own. "Alright, fine." She agreed after a moment of thought. "Then, we have a deal." She added. "Shall we make the unbreakable vow?" She suggested sarcastically with a snicker.