The Second Question

The thought ran through Draco's head as Hermione nuzzled her hair into the crook of his neck. Despite the dim lighting, Draco could still see every beautiful aspect of her- her lips, her closed eyes, her brown curls that some might have said were awful and frizzy but he thought they were adorable.

She opened her eyes after a few moments, catching Draco's attention as her amber eyes gleamed, catching the light just right.

"Hermione, I have a question."

"Mhmm?" Her eyes were inquisitive- the amber flecked with caramel and gold as they looked up into his eyes.

He fumbled with the jewellery box in his fingers before he opened it, the necklace shining, and Hermione's gasp was audible as she took in the contents in the velvet-lined container.

It was a double-chain necklace, the first fitting more like a choker and the second had a crescent-shaped pendant. On the backside of it, there were two words engraved into the gold.

"The moon is because you've always been there, even if you didn't know it. You weren't as present as I had wished you were- my father made sure that hadn't happened- but you always made my day glow brighter. The gold is for Gryffindor, because that's such a big part of who you are. And the engraving is because that's always what you strive to do- rise above everything and everyone that doesn't deserve you, doesn't believe in you." He was silent for a moment.

"Do you like it?"

"How could I not? It's- it's beautiful, Draco."

"Not as beautiful as you- but I have a second question."

"And what's that?" Her voice was quiet.

"Be my girlfriend?"

In response, she grasped the chain in one hand and his jaw in the other, and pulled him in for another kiss.

After they broke apart, Draco smirked.

"That's a yes, I suppose."

Hermione scoffed. "Would I be kissing you if it was ?"

"Probably not." He kissed her again- felt her smirk against his lips- before he said, "We should probably leave. I don't think the curator will be content if we stay here all night, despite the fact I'd like to do so." His voice was husky and she was relatively sure she failed at showing him how much that affected her.

"The curator?"

"Long story. I'll tell you another time."

"Very well, but I won't forget it."

"I have no doubts that you ever would." With a chuckle, she took his arm and they Disapparated.

***

Hermione smiled as she let Draco fasten the necklace around her throat, fingers brushing over the spots he'd kissed before.

"Thanks for tonight. It was- it was beautiful."

Draco smiled. "You don't have to thank me, you know. That's what I'm supposed to do, as a boyfriend."

"But it must've been so expensive-"

"You know I don't worry about funds."

" 'Clearly, Granger, you've never seen the Malfoy vaults'." Hermione grinned. Draco sighed.

"You have no idea how much I wished I could just say your first name, but it would've been inappropriate."

"Well, you can now."

"And thank Salazar for that." He smiled, before another expression crossed his face and he smirked.

"How long did you have a crush on me before I asked you to lunch?"

Hermione blinked, taken aback. "Not too long, why?"

"Just thinking." Draco's face was mysterious, and Hermione scowled.

"Are you going to tell me what you're thinking, or are you just going to stand there with a weird expression on your face?"

"I'll tell you someday." Draco pecked her on the lips before bidding her good-bye.

***

Ron's face is once again melancholy as he walks down the stairs for breakfast. Harry and I are planning on getting our own home pretty soon, but for now we're all crammed into the Burrow while the house hunt is on.

There's only one thing that puts that look on his face- the memory of Hermione.

I frown as I realize she never responded to the letter I'd sent- the one I had given to Pig a long, long time ago. Hermione is not one to let a letter fall to the fire without replying- even if it was someone that had given her the impression they'd despised her.

Or would she?

***

Hermione smiled as she walked in the office the next morning, greeting Alexis with pleasant casual conversation as they rode up in the elevator. She was in more of a bubbly mood than ever, and all because of the events of the previous night. The necklace shone around her throat as she sat down, the light from the large window glancing off of it. She looked up as soon as the door opened, and Draco walked in.

" 'Mione, have a look at this letter I received this morning." He could barely contain the excitement in his voice.

Raising an eyebrow, Hermione took the piece of parchment. She read aloud.

"Mr. Malfoy & Associates,

This letter has been sent because of the established business relationship between our two companies. The CEO of the company, the esteemed-" Hermione snorted," Mr. Dellon Marsentuago, resigned this morning in order to hand the company down to our most suitable candidate, Astoria Greengrass. She will have the assistance of many other experienced workers but she has proven most beneficial to the company and thus we feel she deserves the position."

Hermione scanned the rest of the letter before eagerly writing a letter to Astoria, congratulating her and insisting that she come over for dinner, even though the trio wasn't scheduled to go and meet up tomorrow.

"That's amazing. I won't ever have to see that bastard again. He won't bother my mental stability. I'm so happy." Hermione was elated. Draco smiled.

"It's good to see you so happy. You deserve it, and I hope I can maintain it." Hermione glanced up.

"Hmm?"

"Something I'll tell you someday."

Hermione frowned. "Everything is something you'll tell me someday. Why so many secrets?"

"You'll see."

***

Pansy sighed as she unlocked her door non-verbally, the cake balancing rather precariously in her hands. She had just picked it up from the bakery down the street, and had gotten a few weird looks from passerby while she had made her way back to her apartment, finishing up the decorations to celebrate Astoria's promotion.

Hermione was due to arrive at any moment to help ice the cake, and Pansy started to levitate decorations and banners of congratulations into the air. The door swung open, and Hermione strutted in, a present under her arm and a grin on her face.

"I can't believe she got the promotion, but I can, at the same time, you know what I mean?" Hermione nodded, already starting to ice the cake, concentrating on her task. "I know. It's such a huge deal, and I'm really happy for her. This is like her ."

Pansy smiled- a genuine one. "Yeah, I know. I wish I could do that. But I can't."

Hermione gave her a look out of the corner of her eye. "What do you mean?"

"I've always wanted to go into the fashion industry. Design, and stuff, you know? But I could never make a living doing that."

"Why not?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. Pansy opened her mouth, but was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open.

"Oh my goodness-" Astoria's eyes widened in surprise. Hermione and Pansy grinned in unison.

Astoria couldn't differentiate one voice from the other. It was a mixture of 'congratulations', 'love you', and some incomprehensible noises like Pansy screaming like a madwoman.

"All this for me?" Her eyes were wide as she looked around Pansy's apartment, the former Slytherin's white-walled apartment with emerald green accents scattered around the place- plants, armchairs, sofas, and paintings- strewn with silver decorations and multicoloured pieces of confetti.

"Of course. You deserve it." The brunette shrugged. Astoria beamed. "You guys are the best."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Oh, I know." Hermione nudged the other girl.

"Now?"

Pansy smiled. "Just joking. Let's get this party started!"

***