LIFETIME MATE

Sorry, this chapter a short one. enjoy.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

After sleeping the night away, they decided to join the living. They dressed for their classes and went to see if they could catch Katrina still in the Gryffindor dormitories. When they entered the dormitories, several students looked in surprise to see two of their professors standing in the middle of their common room holding hands.

Hermione approached the young girl on the large overstuffed sofa. “Hello Christina, is Kat around?”

Christina turned around and smiled up to Hermione. “Hello professors, she should be down right away. Do you want me to go fetch her for you?”

“Sure. We’ll wait down here.” Hermione said as they walked to the window.

“Does Kat know about that little ‘room of requirement’ behind that tapestry yet?” Draco said as he pointed to the far wall and smiled in memory.

“I don’t think so. I haven’t told her about it yet.” She smirked. “That was some night wasn’t it?”

“Yes. I’ll never think of the game truth or dare the same again after that night.” He leaned down to kiss her mouth softly and slowly.

Just then Katrina came bounding down the stairs full of energy that only the young could have. She stopped in her tracks as she watched her parents kiss. She smiled. “Hello, long time, no see.”

“Kat.” Hermione kissed her cheek. “Sorry about that. We were.....huh...working things out.”

Kat smirked. “Working things out, huh?”

“Yes.” Draco started as he pulled her to sit down by the fire as most of the other students had left to go down for breakfast. “We have something to tell you.”

She sat down already guessing what it may be. “What?”

“I’ve asked your mother to marry me and she said yes.” Draco said.

Katrina looked up to the smiling faces of her parents and hugged them both tight. “I knew it. I knew you would get back together again. When’s the wedding?” She smiled.

“New Years. If it’s okay with Dumbledore.” Hermione answered.

“As in next month?” Kat asked.

“Yes. Next month.” Draco answered this time smirking down at his daughter.

“Have you told anyone else yet?”

“No. You’re the first. And we want you to be part of the wedding, to stand up there with us.” Hermione stated.

Katrina hugged her mum again. “I would be honored mum. You could wear the wedding dress you picked out years ago.”

“You actually found one back then? I remember you having a hard time finding one.” Draco smirked in recollection.

“Yes. I found one, and I still have it.” She said sadly.

Draco kissed the corner of her mouth. “Well next month you can wear it, because nothing or no one is going to stand in our way this time.” He said determinedly.

Hermione smiled back at him. “Good. Now let’s go down to breakfast. We have a full day of classes today ahead of us, along with planning a wedding.”

The three of them made their way down to the Great Hall, leaving Katrina to sit at her house table beside Christina and Sean. As soon as Katrina sat down, she leaned over to Chris to tell her the great news of her parents getting married.

Meanwhile, Hermione and Draco sat at the head table side by side, with Harry on Hermione’s left. Harry looked at the obviously happy couple and smiled at them. “Good morning strangers. Everything all right?”

“Yes. Everything is wonderful. And Harry, thanks for the food and healing potion.” Hermione said as she leaned over to kiss his cheek.

“No problem Hermione. We remembered what it was like for you two in our seventh year, and wanted it ready for you.” Harry said.

“Well, thanks, it meant a lot to us.” Hermione said as she gazed into Draco’s eyes.

Harry looked down at the table as he reached for his juice and noticed the ring glittering against the light on her left ring finger. He placed his hand over hers. “Are congratulations in order?” As he glanced to Hermione, then to the familiar ring.

“Yes.” She smiled. “We’re getting married.”

Harry smiled back at her obvious happiness. “That’s great ‘Mione. When?”

“New Years.”

“As in this coming New Years?” Harry asked.

Draco and Hermione chuckled to themes. es. “Yes, next month. We’ve waited long enough, don’t you think?” Draco asked still smirking.

“There’s so much to do, do you think we could pull it off?” Hermione asked worriedly.

“Sure we can, there’s all of Hogwart’s to pitch in. Have you talked to Albus yet?” Harry asked.

“No, not yet. We were going to go up after dinner tonight to talk to him.” Draco replied. He looked to the time then. “Well we better get going to our classes. See you at lunch ‘Mione.” He kissed her lightly on the mouth then turned to go the dungeons, as happy as he has been in a long time.

That night after dinner, Draco and Hermione made their way to Dumbledore’s office and was taken aback to see all the professors gathered together to congratulate them. The butterbeers and whiskeys were passed around in celebration.

While Draco was talking to Albus about the wedding, Ginny took Hermione aside. “I am so happy for you ‘Mione.”

“Thank you Gin, I am happy.” Hermione said smiling. “I only hope that wedding dress still fits.”

“I’m sure it will, and if not....well...you are a witch, you can do the adjustments yourself.” She smirked.

“I suppose. Do you think it’s kind of cheesy to wear that particular dress?”

“No. You bought it for your wedding, for the man you love in mind...well...he’s still the man you love. And he hasn’t seen it on you yet. He will love it.” Ginny reassured her.