Ch. 48

Hermione's POV

Draco and I ended up spending the next few nights at Malfoy Manor as well, which I didn't mind at all. I was actually bonding really quickly with Lucius and Narcissa, over surprising activities. Lucius was a very smart man, and we would have long conversations over different theories and would often read together in the library. Narcissa and I would also have just as long conversations while we would clean up the ballroom, and she was very curious about my life growing up without magic. I also enjoyed helping her out in the gardens, something I myself was even surprised about since normally I couldn't grow plants to save my life.

New Year's Eve finally came around and I woke up excitedly, stretching as Draco woke up with me.

"Good morning, love," He said sleepily, leaning over to give me a kiss.

I giggled at his half-closed eyes and rolled over to lay somewhat on top of him. "Good morning. What are your plans for the day?"

He hummed as he closed his eyes again and wrapped an arm around my back. "Let's see...eat breakfast, spend time with my parents, and then go to the New Year's Eve gala with my beautiful fiancée."

"Oh really?" I asked playfully. "And who would that be?"

"You probably haven't heard of her," He grinned. "She's not very well known."

I laughed. "I see! Well, funnily enough I'm also going to the gala with fiancé!"

"Oh, maybe we'll bump into each other!" He laughed as well and rolled us over so that he was on top of me. "You'll have to save a dance for me."

"I'm sorry, I only dance with my fiancé," I retorted, giving him a peck on the lips.

"I'm sure I could sneak one in," He said in a low voice as he gave me a much longer kiss.

About an hour later, I was stepping out of the shower, humming to myself as I thought about the gala later tonight. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I could only assume it would be more extravagant than the few Ministry galas I had been to.

I walked back into the bedroom where Draco was getting changed and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before grabbing a change of clothes for breakfast. After pulling on my clothes, I turned around to grab my engagement ring from the bedside table.

The only problem was that it wasn't where I left it.

"Draco..." I started rifling around the desk, moving things around and looking on the floor.

"Yes love?" He asked as he changed shirts.

"Have you seen my ring?" I asked, crossing the room to search the bathroom.

"No, where did you take it off?" He asked.

I searched the bathroom counter, starting to panic. "I thought I left it on the table last night next to my side of the bed, but it's not there!"

Rushing out of the bathroom, I grabbed my wand from my bag and quickly said, ""

We both waited quietly for a few moments, but nothing happened.

"" I exclaimed again, my chest tightening when nothing happened again.

Draco watched me quietly and when I started to shake, he came over to me and held me close. "Don't worry, it'll turn up! It's going to be okay!"

"No, Draco, it's not okay!" I said, my eyes welling up with tears. "I lost the ring! I don't know where it is!"

He took a deep breath and let it out as a heavy sigh. "It's not lost. I'm having it sent to be cleaned for the party."

I stared at him for a few moments before relaxing slightly. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you with a clean ring," He said sheepishly.

"You still could've told me," I laughed, the stress lifting off my shoulders. "I got so scared!"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart." He kissed my forehead and gave me a hug.

I shook my head and smiled at him. "It's okay, just...tell me next time!"

"Yes, dear," He smiled, giving me another kiss.

The rest of the day went by in a flash. Narcissa had essentially kidnapped me right after breakfast to take me out for a spa day, which I had to admit was much needed after the stress of that morning. She laughed about it though when I told her what had happened as we made our way back up the walk to the manor after we had been gone nearly all afternoon.

"Lucius has done that to me before," She explained with a smile. "I believe Draco might have unfortunately picked up that little fault. They do like to surprise."

"He nearly gave me a heart attack, though!" I laughed. "I was so scared that I had lost the ring, I nearly jinxed him on the spot when he told me."

She laughed at that and shook her head. "I'm sure it feels weird to not have the ring on right now."

"It really does." I looked down at my hand and sighed. "I've been wearing it for nearly two months now, I've gotten used to it."

"Is he going to have the wedding band custom made as well?" She asked when we got to the door.

"Most likely, since I doubt that there is a band that directly matches it," I said.

Lucius and Draco were discussing last minute decorations in the main sitting room when we walked in, and Draco's face lit up as soon as he saw me.

"You should wear your hair like that more often!" He said happily as he twirled me around slowly. "It's casual but stunning!"

I smiled and gave him a kiss. "We'll see; it took them a while to get my curls tamed down to this so it won't be an everyday thing. When does the gala start again?"

"It begins at around seven-thirty tonight," Lucius said with a smile. "Which gives you plenty of time to get ready."

"Considering it's only about three-thirty, I should hope so!" I said before looking back at Draco. "Has my ring been finished yet?"

He frowned slightly as he said, "I'm afraid your ring won't be ready until tomorrow. Do you think you can go without it for a night?"

I sighed and nodded. "I can, I was just really wanting to wear it for this evening."

"I know, love. I promise I'll get it back to you as soon as I can."

He gave me another kiss before Narcissa whisked me away again upstairs to start getting ready for the gala.