Seeking Salvation (Dramione)

8. Marry Me

The next few weeks went by quickly and without much incident. Hermione and Draco grew closer as the days passed by and they often spoke late into the night about anything and everything, occasionally sharing Draco's or Hermione's bed if they fell asleep talking. On those nights, the two slept better than ever before, but it was never planned. Even Ginny and Luna grew closer to the blonde man who they could see was helping their precious Hermione to heal. Harry kept in contact and visited on occasion, everything seemed to be going well with their teaching, as well as their lessons and for once it seemed like Hogwarts was going to have a peaceful year, that is, until Christmas arrived.

It was the day before the Christmas holidays would begin that Hermione received the letter that would rip her healing wounds open again, and she never saw it coming. Hermione and Draco were sitting at lunch, cheerfully discussing their next lesson plan and what holiday homework they would set when an owl neither of them recognised soared toward them with a letter; the owl dropped the letter into Hermione's lap and flapped off quickly. The Gryffindor opened the envelope curiously and was shocked at what she found inside. It contained a wedding invitation,

"Mr. Ronald Billius Weasley and Ms Lavender Brown cordially invite you to attend their wedding" she read out loud in a shocked voice and Draco dropped his fork with a splat onto his spaghetti.

"What?" he said and she passed him the invite with a blank stare as another owl flew into the hall and dropped a similar envelope in front of each Ginny and Luna, Luna opened hers dreamily as Ginny tore hers open, snapping Hermione out of her shock with the ferocity of her scream,

"THAT GIT!!!!!!!" Ginny screamed, ripping the envelope and notice in half and drowning it in a jug of pumpkin juice – making several of the Gryffindors around her groan, meanwhile Luna simply folded hers into a bird and charmed it to fly out the window. Hermione huffed in annoyance and Draco read the notice that she had handed him, unclipping the letter that was on the back and placing it down next to Hermione cautiously. She glared at the words on the parchment and shoved them back at him,

"Hermione,

I know we didn't part on the best of terms but Lav and I wanted to invite you to the wedding, it will be held over the new year – my family have not spoken to me in months and I hope we can put it all behind us like adults,

Ron"

Draco raised his brows at the two pieces of paper, watching as Hermione silently waved her hand at them and they caught alight. Floating in the air and burning to ash the pieces of paper soon disappeared and Hermione abruptly stood, walking away from the table. Draco hurried to catch up with her and walked with her as she strode into the grounds toward the lake. They sat on the banks and Hermione turned to him, throwing herself into his arms and sobbing softly; he sighed and held her tightly, stroking her hair and kissing her cheeks softly,

"All I ever wanted was to get married, he stole that from me and now he's giving it to someone else" she sobbed and Draco's heart seized. How could any man in his right mind do something like that to Hermione? She was so beautiful and she deserved so much happiness for all she did for the ones she cared for... in that moment, Draco realised that he was in love with Hermione Granger and he wasn't going to let her slip through his fingers,

"Marry me" he said impulsively, cupping her face and staring into her stunning eyes, they widened in shock and her sobs cut off abruptly. She stared up at the handsome man above her, her heart skipping a shaky beat.

"What?" she whispered and he smiled at her softly, so, even the smartest witch of the century could have a blonde moment from time to time

"Marry me Mione; I want you to be my wife." He said and kissed her lips gently, pulling away to look at her shocked face. A small smile graced her face and she leaned up, capturing his lips and kissing him thoroughly. Neither of them noticing Luna and Ginny watching them; the two girls grinned at each other and left the Gryffindor princess with her Slytherin prince, excited at the prospect of their two friends finding happiness.