Chapter Text
It was silly that Draco was nervous. They were already engaged, for Merlin’s sake.
He watched Hermione as she finished getting ready, pushing earrings into her ears and pinning back some of her curls. He’d been planning this night for a while now. He’d made reservations and bought a ring. Consulted his mother and his friends and her friends. He’d taken a precious sick day from work just so Hermione wouldn’t know that he’d gone out to her parent’s home and very nervously fumbled through asking her father’s blessing.
It shouldn’t have surprised him that Hermione would beat him to his own proposal.
Sometimes, Draco wondered if he was allowed to feel as happy as he did. The feeling of joy swelling in his chest was still a foreign one to him, and he was afraid it would all disappear. That one day he’d roll over in bed and Hermione would be gone, and it was all just a dream that he longed for with every waking breath.
But it wasn’t a dream. She was really here, sitting in his bedroom, wearing his ring on her finger.
Oh right, the ring. He’ll need that for tonight.
“Can you help me with this,” Hermione asked, looking at Draco in the mirror and holding up her necklace. Draco moved forward and took the chain from her, moving her hair aside to clasp it together. Because he could, he pressed a kiss to the back of her neck and then another to the curve between her neck and shoulder. He smiled as he pressed another to her shoulder, moving aside the sleeve of her dress. “Draco Malfoy if you keep that up we’re never getting out of here…” she said, leaning back against him.
“Tempting, tempting,” Draco chuckled. “But we should go soon.” He tapped the ring on her finger. “Can I borrow that back please, Love? I promise to return it in an hour or so.”
“You better, I’ve gotten rather fond of it,” Hermione said with a laugh. She slipped it off her finger and handed it to Draco. “It really is beautiful.”
“Thank you, I spent an entire day with my mother trying to find one for you,” he said, smiling as he took her hand. “Among the many things I learned that day, one is that my mother has very gaudy taste in jewelry.”
“Oh dear,” Hermione said, shaking her head. “Were some of them bad?”
“Some?” Draco asked. “I’ll bring you out there one day and show you, it was a nightmare.” He warded the flat and then lifted his wand. “Ready?” Hermione placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him softly.
“Always,” she said, and he apparated them away.
###
The restaurant was just as amazing as the first time Draco had brought Hermione here on their first date. They rode up in the lift to the top floor and were sat at a table by the window, looking over London as it sparkled to light as nighttime fell.
The last time Draco was here with Hermione, he was so anxious that he’d mess up somehow. That he’d say something wrong or stumble over himself or fall back to the old Draco he’d been trying so hard to separate himself from. He had no reason to worry, however. He and Hermione slipped into an easiness that never went away. Part of him knew even that night a year ago that she was the one for him.
Tonight, as her smile and eyes glistened in the soft glow from the candlelight, Draco wondered why he waited so long to propose.
“You’re staring,” Hermione said. She reached across the table and took his hand in hers. “And you’re quiet.”
“You’re gorgeous and I’m nervous,” Draco admitted, making Hermione blush.
“You already know what I’m going to say,” she squeezed his hand. Draco shrugged. He knew their family and friends were here, scattered around the restaurant and out of sight. Their waiter would come over with champagne when everyone was ready.
The ring box sat heavy in his pocket as the champagne arrived. He winked at Hermione as two glasses were poured. “What did we toast to the last time?” he asked, lifting his glass.
“A new beginning,” Hermione said. “Seems fitting to do so again, don’t you think?” Draco nodded and tapped his glass to hers.
“To new beginnings,” Draco said, beaming at her. As Hermione sipped from her drink, Draco bucked up his courage and stood from his seat, sliding to his knee beside her. “Hermione,” he started, coughing a little as his throat formed a small knot. He took her hand in his. “I have something to ask you.”
Hermione’s eyes shined with unshed tears and she squeezed his hand in hers. “Oh Draco,” she said fondly.
“I love you so much,” he said shakily. “I told you the other day I didn’t know where I’d be without you in my life, and the truth is that I never want to find out. This past year together has been the greatest year of my life, and I want each year to continue that way. I want to laugh with you and cry with you and dance with you in the kitchen,” Hermione giggled and Draco’s smile widened. “I want to love you forever, Hermione, and I want our forever to begin as soon as possible. So,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small velvet box. A tear slipped down Hermione’s cheek. Draco thought he might be crying too.
This was real. All of this was real and he deserved to be happy. He and Hermione both. Together.
“Will you marry me?” Draco asked, holding up the ring. There was a gasp from behind him somewhere, he’d bet anything it was his mother. But all he cared about right now was Hermione’s answer. She reached out, passing the ring to press her hand to his cheek. He lifted up just slightly to be closer to her.
“Of course I will,” she whispered to him, “I’ll love you forever, Draco,” she promised before pressing a kiss to his lips. As they kissed, someone started to cheer in the background. There was a lot of commotion, but Draco was only focused on her as he pulled away from the kiss and placed the ring back on her finger.
“Can we come out now?” Pansy’s voice called out. Draco laughed and ignored her, kissing Hermione again as he stood to his feet and embraced her. They were swarmed then by friends and family. Claps on their backs and kisses to their cheeks and shakes of their shoulders. Draco only had eyes for Hermione though and she was only beaming at him.
The beginning of forever sure felt like the right place to be.