The One I Love

A/N: This is dedicated to Dreamweaver, for her lovely reviews, and everlasting support! Thank you for your 100th review of To Enchant a King.

Also thanks to LadyBlueEyes, for the many hours on yahoo, listening to me moan about my writer's block.



The One I Love: By LadyVoldemort87



“Did you hear about Nott proposing to Granger?” asked Blaise Zabini as he took a sip of his Firewhiskey.


“No,” Draco said nonchalantly, as he looked out on the vast grounds of Malfoy Manor.


“Apparently she said yes, silly girl,” replied Blaise, intentionally trying to bait his best friend.


“Why do you say that?” asked Draco, as he loosened his shirt collar.


Blaise shrugged, and downed the remainder of his beverage and turned to Draco.


“I always thought she could do better,” he mused, as he looked Blaise in the eye.


As much as it pained him to hear about her engagement, Blaise was right. She did deserve better than Theodore Nott; one hundred times better than his former class mate. He was unsure of how to take the news, although he knew they had been seeing each other for several months now, he was shocked that Theo had proposed to Granger so soon.


Blaise had been the only one of Draco’s friends to know about his relationship with Granger, and he knew Blaise thought he was a fool to ever let go of Granger as he had.


He supposed he should have expected it really. She was not the type to wait around for some one and he had first hand knowledge of that.

~:~


“I don’t understand why we just can’t talk about this Hermione!” he said as he watched her throw clothes into a suitcase.


She sighed as she pulled more clothes from the dresser to her left.


“There’s nothing more to talk about, you aren’t ready for the type of commitment that I need Draco.” she said as she used her want to zip up her case.


“But why do we need to change what we have, Luv? Please don’t go,” he begged.


She looked at him through tear-filled eyes, her heart breaking.


“I can’t be your dirty little secret anymore, Draco. This has to end. It’s no good for either of us,” she said, as she slipped her coat on.


“What do you want from me, Hermione? I’ve tried to give you everything you’ve ever wanted, is
it not ever going to be enough?” he asked.


“The one thing I wanted was the one thing you couldn’t give, Draco.” she said as she vanished before his eyes.


Draco stared at the very spot she had stood upon, his heart in his mouth. He knew he had pushed her as far as she would go without breaking, but he knew today had been the last straw. The prenuptial agreement his father had sent him to sign this morning, between himself and Astoria Greengrass had sealed his fate with Hermione. She knew immediately that he wasn’t going to ever go public with their relationship, and that the only thing she could do to save herself more heartbreak was leave.


~:~

Draco looked down at the invitation in his hand, fighting the urge to rip it into pieces. The love of his life was marrying someone else and there was nothing he could do about it. His own wedding to Astoria had been called off after she had fallen pregnant with Gregory Goyles child much to the embarrassment of her family. Greg had been forced to marry Astoria, much to Draco’s amusement.


You are invited to the nuptials of Hermione Jean Granger, and Theodore Octavian Nott,

The ceremony will take place at Nott Manor, on December 23rd,
2001

Guest are required to RSVP by September 23rd,
2001

We hope you can come and celebrate our love with us on our special day!


Draco sighed as he pressed his wand to the attending box upon the invitation and it glowed brightly before returning to its original color. He could not get the image of Hermione’s tear filled face out of his head. He kept thinking of how her voice quivered when he tried to get her to stay. He knew her Gryffindor stubbornness would not allow her to stay no matter how much he begged.


He wondered whether Hermione really even loved Theo, or whether she was doing it in an attempt to get to him, and it slightly angered him. She had no right to play with the emotions of others, as she had no right to still have possession of his heart.


He knew he shouldn’t have kept her a secret, but it was the sheer reaction he feared from the magical community. Being an ex Death Eater had a major impact on his social standing, and he hoped with a proper magical wedding, it would ease the still evident ill feeling within the wizarding world. While he did long to be with Hermione, she deserved so much more than what he had to offer her.


She was one the most genuinely amazing people he had ever met. He knew he had been a downright idiot, in the way he had behaved toward her in the past, and the childish name-calling and bitter taunts, where some of the things he regretted the most about his childhood. Even Dumbledore seemed to pity him now, after he sought the advice of the older man after his break up with the Gryffindor golden girl. The ageing wizard had sat him down and made him realize just what he had lost in Hermione.


However, when those bloody eyes of his started to twinkle, it was then Draco started to worry.


~:~


Blaise sat opposite Theo and Hermione, and grinned when he saw Hermione twitch when Theo layed his hand over hers. She glared at Blaise when he smirked her obvious discomfort, her caramel colored eyes glowing. Theo cleared his throat and squeezed Hermione’s hand as she lifted her drink to her lips.


“So Theo, how are the wedding plans going?” he asked his former housemate.


“Great, Ginerva and Hermione have been working like busy little bees,” he grinned.


“So how’s the guest list looking?” he questioned, as Hermione looked at her menu.


“It’s been a nightmare with the last few guest’s confirming, even Malfoy only confirmed this morning,” he said, as Hermione spluttered her wine, coughing harshly.


“Are you ok, Darling?” asked Theo with concern.


“Yes, just surprised that Draco is attending,” she admitted, as Blaise snorted.


“Oh come on Granger, He’d never miss the chance to see you get married, and to one of his good friends as well.” chided Blaise.


“Yes, well I for one am very glad Hermione and Draco were able to put their past quarrels to bed,” smiled Theo.


“They certainly took something to bed,” mumbled Blaise.


“What did you just say?” asked Hermione.


Blaise waved his hand in dismissal, “Sorry, Granger. Just thinking out loud,”


She sighed, and tapped her wand to her menu, ordering her lunch.


“Please excuse me while I visit the little wizard’s room.” said Theo as he rose.


Blaise waited until Theo was out of earshot, to speak.


“Really, Granger, Theo?” he asked her.


“I don’t have the faintest idea what you mean, Blaise,” she said, as she looked at him.


“It’s one thing to use someone to get over someone, but to actually agree to marry him?” he said.


“I don’t know what your insinuating Blaise, but you’re wrong,” she glared.


“So you’re telling me you don’t still love Draco?” he said, as he reached for her hand.


“That has nothing to do with you, Blaise.” she said softly, the tears gathering in her eyes.


“It has something to do with me when I see him day after day pining for you Granger. He loves you still, and even though he won’t admit it, it’s killing him that you’re marrying Theo.” he confessed.


“It’s too late, Blaise. I’m marrying Theo, and there’s nothing he can do or say to stop me.” she said.


“Don’t marry him, Hermione. Don’t do this,” he pleaded on behalf of his best friend.


“If he was that bothered he be here telling me this, not you.” she sighed.


“He’s-” Blaise started but Hermione stopped him.


“Not here, Blaise, he only has himself to blame. Tell him to talk to me when he has something worth while to say to me,” she said as Theo came out of the rest room, looking refreshed.


“I’m starving!” he said as he rubbed his hands together, no idea that his fiancée’s heart was breaking in to a thousand pieces, while he contemplated whether to have the steak or lamb.


Blaise chuckled to himself; Theo really was the stupidest Slytherin he had ever met.



~:~



Hermione just couldn’t believe Blaise had called her out like that. How dare he make her question her feelings for Draco, when she was supposed to be marrying Theo! It was neither here nor there whether she loved him or not. She had left him for Merlin’s sake. Draco, although she knew he did love her, was still as prejudice as he once was. It was the dawning of a new era in the magical community and the most unlikely of people were becoming couples. Ron and Pansy were the top of the list! If Pansy could step out of the norm, then why couldn’t Draco?


Hermione knew what held him back, and it was a big old Death Eater called Lucius Malfoy. Draco’s father was as far as Hermione was concerned, the center of his son’s universe. Lucius Malfoy was the most frightening person Hermione had ever met, and that was saying something after facing down Bellatrix and Voldemort. While his cold persona had somewhat warmed, his acid tongue had not. He looked down upon her like she was still some form of vermin, and sometimes when she wasn’t prepared, it made Hermione shrink under his gaze. While she never showed any weakness in front of him, she was shaking down to her very toes.


Draco’s loyalty to his father had proved to be the testing point in their relationship. In the end, he had chosen to please his father rather than her. She hoped he was very happy living in Lucius’ shadow.


While she could easily dismiss the reasons for ending their relationship, she could not deny that without a doubt her heart belonged to him. It just seemed…simpler to accept Theo’s proposal. Draco was never going to give her what she wanted, and while it pained her to hurt him, she needed to do what she needed to do. The marriage was going to be effortless, without any bumps in the road, she expected that, and in some ways, she was grateful for Theo’s simplicity.



~:~


December 23rd, 2001

Draco sat with his head in his hands, his emotions running wild, dreading this afternoon.


“Are you ok son?” asked the stoic form of Lucius Malfoy.


His question for the first time enraged Draco. All he had ever wanted to do was please Lucius, yet all he ever got from his father was putdowns, and scorching remarks. Yet, it dawned on him, nothing he could ever do would please Lucius. Like his father’s father before him, Lucius could always push his son for the unattainable. Nevertheless, he couldn’t really blame his father for his fears. He loved his father and he always would, but his approval was not the be all and end all. His own mother had fled under the force of Lucius’ scrutiny, and was living in Tuscany with her lover Paulo. He had remarried a charming little witch, and was now firmly under her pretty little thumb.


I haven’t been ok, for a very long time,” said Draco to his father.


“What ever is the matter Draco,” asked Rhonda, his father’s second wife, as she walked in carrying his eighteen-month-old sister, Victoria in her arms.


“I’m in love,” he replied, and his stepmother gasped.


“Oh Draco, I’m so happy for you!” she smiled.


“Who may we ask, is the lucky girl, son? Do we know her family?” asked Lucius.


“Oh, I think your sycophantic Lord, murdered them,” he retorted.


Lucius frowned.


“I’m not sure I understand, son…,” said Lucius.


“I don’t think you ever will father,” he admitted.


“I think I know who you are talking about Draco, and I for one think it’s wonderful. But I thought she was marrying Augusta Nott’s son?” asked Rhonda.


“She is,” sighed Draco.


Lucius looked at his son, the shock evident in his wide eyes.


“Hermione Granger? You have fallen in love with Hermione Granger?” he asked.


“Yes father I have, and my never ending need for your worthless approval has cost me the best thing I ever had.” he sighed.


Rhonda seized his hand, and looked him in the eye.


“Don’t let her go Draco. If there is a chance she still loves you, don’t let her slip away.” she said, as she cast an eye over a gob smacked Lucius and spoke with a salacious glint in her eye, “I’ll deal with him, later.”


Draco smiled. His stepmother was right. He could not let her go. He picked his little sister up and kissed her on the cheek.


“Shall I go and get her, sweetheart,” he asked her.


“Gow Dwakie,” she giggled.


He passed his sister to his stepmother and looked at Lucius.


“I’m going to get her Lucius, and I’m going to make her the happiest woman in the entire wizarding world, if she’ll have me.”


“Never let it be said, that we Malfoy’s follow to order,” he scoffed.


“You may have, but I certainly never did.” said Draco as stepped out of the drawing room, heading to the family vault.


He was going to get his woman, and this time no one was going to stop him.


~:~


Hermione grimaced as Harry Potter flitted in to her dressing room for the tenth time today. He was muttering about his dodgy stomach as she fitted her veil onto the top of her head. She heard his sharp intake of breath, as she turned round and faced him.


“Jesus, ‘Mione you look beautiful,” he confessed.


“Why thank you, Mr. Potter,” she laughed.

“Are you ready?” he asked.


“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she admitted.


“Of all the Slytherins you could have married, Hermione. You choose Theo.” he laughed.


She raised her eyebrow at her best friend.


“Who else would I have married, you dolt!” she laughed.


“Draco.” he said, and her breath caught in her throat.


“Please don’t,” she whispered.


“We just want you to be happy,” he said, as he took her hand.


“How did you find out?” she asked.


He grinned, “Dumbledore.”


“Damn man can’t keep his nose out of anything!” she sighed.


“Draco went to see him,” said Harry.


“Why?” she asked.


“Because he needed advice, and well, guidance.” said Harry as he squeezed his hand.


She groaned. “Was Blaise in on it too?”


“You got me,” said Harry as he held his hands up, “Are you sure you want to do this?”


“I am Harry. He is not coming to sweep me off my feet, and claim me, however much I may have wanted it. He’s made his decision.”

Harry sighed.


“Come on then, let’s get you married.” he smiled.


~:~


Hermione breathed in deeply as she was lead up the aisle by a nervous Harry. In her head, she was running through all the reason’s why she thought she should marry Theodore Nott. She could grow to love him, in her own special way she knew that. She could do this. She really could. Couldn’t she?


She would have a few choice words for Dumbledore when the ceremony was over.

She heard Harry laugh from beside her, and she scowled at him.


“Always thinking aren’t you ‘Mione?” he grinned.


“My constant thinking helped you out of a lot of tight spots, I’ll thank you very much!” she said indignantly.


The traditional music she and Ginny had picked out started, and the fluttering in Hermione’s stomach intensified.


Harry grasped her arm, and started to slowly lead her up the aisle. She was so scared, she could hardly breathe. She contemplated yanking her arm away from Harry and doing a runner. However, her courage got the better of her, and she lifted her head, and stepped forward to carry on.


She fully expected to see Theo there, smiling his charming wide smile…


But the sight that greeted her made her heart jump erratically in her chest, and her pulse started to race.


There standing alongside Dumbledore, and Blaise…..Was Draco.

Hermione’s breath caught in her throat, and a small whimper escaped from her lips as she took him in. He was dressed all in white matching her dress, and Harry’s suit. To his left was a grinning Blaise.


Her heart sang as Draco smiled at her, beckoning her forward.


Her feet carried her where her senses could not, and Harry could not not stop smiling.


She was surprised to see Lucius Malfoy propping up the front row, a beautiful little girl with blonde curly hair perched up his lap. He gave her an approving eye, before he looked away.


This was just too bizarre.


Was she dreaming?


She reached the alter and reached out to touch Draco, just to make sure he was real.


Her hand shot out to touch his chest, and he ceased her hand and brought it to his lips.


“I’m really here, Hermione.” he whispered.


“You can’t be,” she replied, tears filling her eyes.


“I’m here, and I love you.”


“I don’t believe you.” she said, as she looked at him.


“Believe this,” he said as he stepped forward, pressing his lips to hers. Her flowers fell from her hands, as she clung to Draco’s shoulders, kissing him back with every ounce of love she possessed.

“Marry me, Hermione and let me love you forever, be my wife,” he asked.


“Forever?” she questioned.


“Forever,” he promised.


He had claimed her as his, and for once, Hermione Granger didn’t have to think.

~:~

Draco took his exhausted wife and apparated them back to their former home, a cottage that he had bought them little over two years ago.


She stood in their bedroom, looking at herself in the mirror as she pulled her veil out of her curly mane. He crossed his arms around her waist, and placed his head on her shoulder. She was so beautiful, and he wondered how he had ever been so stupid to let her go. He thanked his lucky stars that Theo had got cold feet.


He thanked Merlin himself as he loosened the laces on the back of her ivory dress, and rejoiced as her silk wedding gown slipped down over her slender waist and she was left in just her bra and knickers.


“You are so beautiful,” he said in awe of his wife.


She smiled as leaned into kiss him, her lips soft and warm against his. He felt her shiver as his hands drifted down her stomach, and he could not wait for her to be full and round with his child.


He took Hermione’s hand and kissed it softly.


“Let’s go to bed,” she whispered huskily.


That night Draco made love to Hermione over and over again. She not only held his heart, but his entire being in the palm of her hand. She was finally his.


_____________________________________________

I actually thought about giving up HP fan fiction, but the ideas just kept coming, but for a long time I couldn't write, which for me was unusual. But hey, it's all flowing again! :D