Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 3

The Acceptance

Draco smiled. The two of them had come such a long way in the last few years. They had finished schooling, and were now just spending their time travelling and seeing the world and experiencing all it had to offer.

Sitting in their private garden, he let the gentle breeze bring the soft scent of roses to him. He did love sitting on the intricately carved white marble bench in the sun with all the yellow roses surrounding him. The gentle trickle of a magnificent fountain served as a gentle music that played in the background as nature was the star here. Harry was walking up to him, careful not to spill any of the tea he was bringing them.

"Hi Harry," Draco beamed. "It's a lovely day out today." Harry smiled at him as he took his usual seat next to the blond.

"It is. But it isn't nearly as lovely as you." He placed a gentle kiss on Draco's cheek, admiring the way it flushed a soft pink. "Draco? Can I ask you something?" He proceeded after receiving a tentative nod. "We've been together a long time now. And I couldn't be happier that I had the courage to keep pestering you about dinner until you accepted." He paused, suddenly nervous. Plowing forward was his only option, lest he make his nervousness known."

"You mean the world to me. I've gotten to know you so intimately, and you've gotten to know me just as well. We're completely opposite in every way on the outside but on the inside we're so similar. So, I've come to the conclusion that the old saying 'opposites attract' must be right. And if that saying is right," He gently slid off the bench and onto the flagstones that lined the garden's walkways. "Then we must belong together. Yesterday, today and forever from now." He heard Draco's breathing hitch, but continued before he could say anything and pulled a box from his pocket. "So since we so clearly belong together, would you do me the great honor of accepting my hand in marriage?" He opened the box to reveal a ring inside.

It was handcrafted, platinum metal with a carved inlay of ivy leaves made from yellow gold. It was so simple and so extravagant that Draco couldn't believe his eyes. He felt tears overflow onto his cheeks as he nodded his head and smiled bigger than he ever had before. Harry plucked the ring from it's black satin bed and slid it gently onto Draco's finger before gently kissing him.