I wrote and rewrote the ending to this a couple of times until finally that spark hit and it spilled out of me this morning as it usually does when I hit my rhythm. Just in time, too. I really hope you all enjoy the ending. Thank you so very much for taking the time to enjoy this story with me. Please read and review.

I do have another little idea bouncing around in my head but it's nowhere near ready. In the mean time, I'll continue to post one shots in my other story thread. Check it out! :)

Wooed

Hermione stood on the steps of Malfoy Manor trying her best to muster her courage she was so famous for but she'd stopped short of approaching the intimidating doors. Dressed in her favorite summer dress, the one she'd worn on her first date with Draco, she stood wringing her hands nervously in front of the grand doors.

She'd been trying to muster that Gryffindor courage all week to speak to Draco about the retraction article that Pansy had written. She thought for sure that he'd come to her first. Yet when he remained silent, she knew she'd really messed up with him. She even returned to her morning coffee routine but never managed to encounter him. His silence spoke volumes to her. She'd never known Draco Malfoy to stop so easily at getting what he wanted. Hell, the man had pestered her for two months before she gave in and went on their first date. His silence worried her.

It was then that she thought perhaps there was no going back for them. Maybe she'd mucked it up so bad when she'd said she didn't believe him that he wouldn't take her back.

All of those festering emotions weren't helped by the fact that Narcissa had invited her to the Manor Saturday to have dinner for her birthday. The woman had been far too kind in her invite, not once blaming her for the breakup or mentioning the recent article. Guilt kept her from declining even though that's what she wished to do. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her but that she couldn't help but the overwhelming guilt over what she'd put Draco through. She was surprised the woman still wanted to see her honestly.

It'd put a bit of a kink in her plan for the day. She'd planned on using the evening to see Draco and hopefully make things right between them. Unfortunately, when she'd shown up at his townhome early that morning, he was nowhere to be seen.

With one last deep breath, Hermione ran her clammy hands down the front of her dress. She lifted her hand and knocked against the heavy front doors. She chewed the corner of her lip as she waited but it wasn't long before the doors swung open to reveal the familiar house elves.

"Mistress Narcissa awaits Miss Hermione," Tizzy announced proudly.

She fought the urge to roll her eyes at the aristocratic greeting and merely followed as he began leading her through the Manor's main foyer and towards the entrance to the back garden.

"Tizzy, are we to be having dinner outside," she asked the elf gently.

"Tizzy is not to spoil the surprise," he replied without so much as a backwards glance.

This time she really did roll her eyes behind his back. The sun was already setting as she stepped out into the back garden. She took in the twinkling fairy lights dusting the air, the charmed cherry blossoms hanging from the branches of the trees, and the smell of food wafting in the area.

Her attention was diverted to the small crowd of her friends who turned to greet her when they noticed her arrival.

"Happy birthday," Harry and Ginny called out cheerily, drinks held up in the air in greeting.

Ron called out his own greeting, his mouth full, and waving a sandwich in one hand. Lavender stood at his side trying desperately to snatch the messy sandwich before he got it on himself.

"Typical Ron," she muttered to herself with a grin.

She descended the steps and finally caught sight of Narcissa Malfoy standing just behind Neville Longbottom and his girlfriend. She hugged Neville and Hannah before moving on to Draco's mother.

"Thank you for coming, Hermione," she smiled gently.

Hermione was slightly caught off guard when the witch drew her into a warm hug. The guilt bubbled in her gut again and she patted the woman's back gently in return.

"I hope you don't mind," Narcissa smiled warmly as she swept a hand through the air, "but I invited a few of your friends. I thought to make it a social affair."

Hermione glanced around again, spotting a few more friends outside her inner circle and some co-workers she was close to before turning back to the witch.

"No, this is so lovely. You really shouldn't have."

"Oh, nonsense," she scoffed. "I live for these things. Although there is one guest I included that, well…"

She trailed off with a small smirk lifting the corner of her mouth. Hermione glanced around her and finally spotted Draco standing off to the side, hands hidden tightly in the pockets of his trousers as he eyed her intently.

His expression was unreadable, seemingly blank of emotion. She watched the way his eyes swept over her from her toes all the way back to her eyes where he finally settled.

She barely took note as Narcissa moved to the side slightly, her attention completely focused on him as he pushed away from the table he was leaning against and approached her.

"I'll take it from here, Mother," he nodded.

The older witch eyed them for a moment with a mysterious smile before she nodded and moved off to check on the food.

"Well," he nodded to her, "Are you ready to talk to me again?"

Hermione's heart dropped to her stomach and she found it hard to meet his eyes. "Draco, I—"

Draco shook his head and reached for her hand. "No, not here."

She nearly stumbled when he pulled on her arm, leading them quickly beyond the small garden's hedges and into a private alcove, and leaving the small crowd behind. A koi fish pond sat in the center surrounded by stone benches. She marveled at the charmed cherry blossoms which seemed to be following them, drifting through the air around them and blanketing the ground before disappearing.

He turned to her once they neared the benches and dropped her hand.

Draco observed her in front of him again. He hated the nervous way she was gnawing her lower lip and felt a bit guilty that he'd waited a whole week since the article came out to approach her but he'd wanted to give her time to think.

"Are you angry with me," she finally blurted out.

He lifted an incredulous brow and shook his head quickly. "Why in the world would I be angry with you?" He sighed to himself, "I've had a lot of time to think, Hermione."

Hermione shrugged helplessly as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "Draco, I—"

He shook his head again and held a hand up to stop her. "No, I need to get this out." He pursed his lips in thought for a moment until he finally met her eyes intently. "I know what you're thinking," he started slowly.

"I doubt it," she muttered, mostly to herself.

Draco shrugged and slipped his hands back into his pockets, trying his best not to reach out for her as he felt the urge to do. He couldn't allow himself to touch her until they'd cleared the air between them.

"In the interest of total honesty, I did ask my mother to arrange this. And your blasted friends offered to make sure you came if you tried to decline. Potter's wife was especially helpful in that regard."

Hermione rolled her eyes but finally cracked a slight smile. "Well that explains Ginny's enthusiasm for me coming today when she saw the invitation on my desk."

"Did you read Pansy's retraction article," he asked.

She sighed and, not able to hold out any longer, reached out a hand to take back one of his. She was relieved when he let her and threaded their fingers tightly and squeezed. A part of her relaxed at his touch.

"You know I did, Draco." She shook her head when he used their hands to pull her closer to him but allowed it. "I think I owe you an apology for not listening to you."

His lips pulled into a smirk for the first time as he slid a hand around her waist, nudging her closer with a little pressure at the small of her back. "Now those are words I never thought I'd hear directed at me from Hermione Granger herself."

She rolled her eyes at him as she rested her hands against his chest, nearly bursting with relief to feel the heat of him against her again. "Don't let it go to your head, Malfoy." She shook her head with a sigh. "I am sorry though. You tried to explain everything to me and I wouldn't listen. I allowed the past to influence me and that was wrong of me."

He shrugged, "You're human, Hermione, and while you're normally the most rational person I know it doesn't make you exempt from having emotionally irrational moments. Besides, you warned me from the start that you're stubborn. But I really had trouble blaming you. Given our past growing up, I'm sure I did some damage in terms of you trusting me."

Hermione couldn't quite believe how easily he was forgiving her after what she'd put him through. "But that was then and this is now. You've given me no reason to doubt you now and yet I did."

Draco trailed his hands along her back and over her shoulders until he could cup her face in both palms. He leaned down, intending to press a soft, reassuring kiss to her lips, however after not being able to kiss her for nearly a month, he couldn't resist deepening it.

Hermione shivered pleasantly at the warm feel of his lips on hers and sighed contentedly. He deepened the kiss with a slight grunt as his hands trailed down her arms to wrap around her back, pulling her flush against him with a bit more force than usual.

His hands left trails of fire as they ran over her back and shoulders, the sensation a welcome return. Even though they weren't really finished talking, she missed him immensely. She missed his presence, his kiss, and his touch. Missed his sarcasm and his wit. Merlin help her, she missed Draco Malfoy.

Draco gentled the kiss after a few more moments and pulled back finally. Kissing her now was just as electric as the first time and he planned on doing it some more before the evening was over.

"So then…can we agree that we forgive each other," he asked.

Hermione snorted out a laugh and nodded, leaning up to press one more kiss against his lips. "Yes, and I promise not to doubt you again." She pulled back from him enough to see him but not enough to pull out of the circle of his arms where she was perfectly content to stay. "I am curious about something though. Why were you even discussing me with her," she asked quietly.

Draco sighed as he brushed a few strands of hair that had escaped her messy up do back behind her ear. "There was a time when we'd been betrothed and after one terrible date with the woman to test our compatibility I broke the agreement. My mother tried to reassert the match because she wanted me married but I refused. Astoria took the rejection personally and she's been trying since to change my mind. She wants my money, Hermione. She doesn't want me. When I said that to her, she'd been questioning if I'd ever actually marry you because of your blood status."

She bit her lip, not sure if she wanted to ask the question which was balancing on the tip of her tongue. The warm expression in his grey eyes though spurred her on.

"Then I can assume that my blood status wouldn't stop you?"

Still gripping either of her hands, Draco's mouth tipped into a small smirk he wore so often and he slowly sunk down onto one knee. He watched her eyes widen considerably and nearly couldn't contain his nerves but she'd walked right into the perfect opening that he needed.

"You, Hermione Granger, are the girl that I teased mercilessly for years. Despite that I've made you angry, hurt you, caused more tears than I care to remember—yet you've never backed down from me. You've always been stronger than me. You gave me a chance to get to know because you saw the man I'd become and not the boy I'd been."

He squeezed each of her hands gently before letting them go. He reached into his pocket and pulled out not one but two boxes. With a deep breath he opened them both and held them out in either hand as he met her brown eyes.

"Will you do me the great honor of agreeing to be my wife? The even greater honor of taking me as your husband?"

Draco's whole body went taut after that question as he waited with bated breath for her answer. He'd always known this witch was perfect but it'd taken far too long to realize that she was perfect for him.

His breath came faster as he tried to control his nerves, his knee beginning to ache from the hard concrete under him.

Hermione couldn't quite believe her eyes. Before her knelt Draco Malfoy holding out two very gorgeous rings and nearly begging her to marry him. She'd imagined this happening but for some reason the possibility had never seemed so real.

"Draco," she finally gasped, eyes darted to either ring box in his hands. "What—" She shook her head, lost for words.

"I couldn't decide which way to go," he admitted with a rare nervous expression. "If I didn't offer you my grandmother's ring as has been Malfoy tradition, you might think I was saying you weren't good enough to wear it and that's certainly not true. But then I thought you might not be interested in wearing anything from the Malfoy vaults and might want something just for you." He paused and licked his dry lips. "So I have both. Mother gave me my grandmother's ring with her, rather exuberant mind you, blessing. I had the other made for you. Modest, classic, but elegant—like you."

Hermione had her left hand, the ring finger already quivering, resting shakily over her heart as she drew nervous breaths through her nose. She was a logical and sensible witch. She didn't often get emotionally worked up like this but he was pulling so earnestly at her heart.

She glanced from his eyes finally to the two beautiful rings he was holding out to her but didn't linger long there. She glanced back into his grey eyes to find him still watching her anxiously.

"Merlin, Draco, calm down or we're both going to hyperventilate. I'm going to say yes, you daft man." She watched as he loosed a relieved breath and finally stood when she pulled at his shoulders. She waited until he was standing, now towering over her again but still holding out those blasted rings. "Both of your arguments are valid and I understand why you were so conflicted. Which do you want me to wear?"

He looked stricken with panic for a moment. "Honestly?" She nodded quickly and he sighed as he closed the box on his grandmother's ring. "My grandmother wasn't a very pleasant person. While you're obviously more than worth any jewel, I really wanted you to have something of your own. Something pure and without the taint of history. I'm a bit over tradition anyway."

Hermione nodded, silly tears still gathered in the corners of her eyes as she allowed him to place the custom ring on her finger. She couldn't even stop him when he grasped her face in both hands and pressed a soft but lingering kiss to her lips.

She released a breathy laugh when they separated and finally glanced down to get a good look at her engagement ring. It was a solitaire emerald cut diamond set in platinum and far larger than she'd ever expected.

"It's 2.5 carats if that's what you're wondering," he finally smirked. "And it's bigger than that pebble Weaslebee gave his annoying fiancé."

"Bloody prat," she admonished with a small grin as she smacked his arm.

He caught her hand though and pulled her to him in another sensual kiss, unable to stop himself. Her body hummed at the feel of his mouth on hers and she shivered delightfully when he pushed his tongue past the barrier of her lips to seek her own in that dance they did so well together.

"Did she say yes yet," Ron yelled over the garden wall.

Draco pulled away reluctantly with a nearly feral growl, controlled only by her soft laughter and gentle tugging of his arm around her.

"No thanks to you, you walnut!"

"Draco," she laughed, her admonishment falling soft.

She smiled at his irate glare towards her redheaded friend now peeking over the garden wall who was soon joined by Harry and Ginny. His mother appeared around the corner wearing a large grin and then, much to her surprise, her parents appeared right behind her.

Draco leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Your father threatened to remove all of my teeth if I mucked this up. Hopefully, I'll get to leave in one piece."

Hermione leaned up to steal one more kiss before she took his hand to lead them back into the small crowd. "You have to leave in one piece. I want children eventually."

Draco allowed her to pull him along behind, a nearly savage grin gracing his face at her words.

Her parents enveloped her first in a warm hug, her father shooting a conservative but approving look over his daughter's shoulder as her mother cooed over her ring. Narcissa sidled up next to him as the Potter's and Weasley moved in with her family.

"It's about time," she smiled at the scene in front of them.

Draco rolled his eyes and glanced at his mother. "She's a rather difficult witch…"

"But you wouldn't have her any other way," she surmised for him.

He shrugged, "I'm obviously a sucker for punishment but I look forward to a lifetime of it."

Narcissa shook her head fondly and patted his arm. "With the two of you being as stubborn as you are I can only imagine what my grandchildren will be like."

"You'll love them all the same."

"Of course, I will." She smiled at the way Hermione's mother was exclaiming over the charmed decorations now to her daughter. "I've only had a short time to speak with them so far this evening but the Grangers seem like lovely people. Just think, half-blood grandchildren. Maybe I'll finally get to see some muggle museums like I've been wanting!"

Draco snorted and tugged at his tie to loosen it before he crossed his arms over his chest. "Father will have a coronary."

He watched as a wicked smile lit his mother's face.

"I do believe I'll write him a letter."

Narcissa left his side to join Mrs. Granger and Ginny all now discussing their impending wedding. He nearly laughed out loud at the horrified look Hermione shot at him. He knew she didn't do well with being cornered like that. He'd give her a few moments longer of torture before he swooped in to save her.

"Good going, mate," Harry nudged his shoulder as he stepped up beside him.

"Thanks, Potter."

"Yeah, now maybe she won't be moping so much," Ron added.

Draco turned to the redheaded wizard and smirked rather evilly. "You know, Weasley, I do believe I owe you a good punch to the face."

Ron's eyes widened and he held his hands up in defense. "Oi, Malfoy, I was just looking out for my friend."

"Draco!"

The blonde stopped advancing on the other wizard when his fiancé called his name. He glanced over his shoulder and noted her warning glare and sighed.

"You're lucky, Weasley, that I just got back on her good side or I'd hex you silly."

The redhead released a relieved breath but still moved to put a bit of distance between them.

It was late in the evening after everyone sat down for a casual dinner in honor of Hermione's birthday. Narcissa was thrilled with the compliments over the food but a bit miffed that Draco hadn't allowed her to supply the cake as well. That was all until he explained his reasoning for getting a cake made for her. The triple chocolate cake had come from their favorite shop, which had earned him a surprisingly hot kiss from his fiancé right in front of everyone. Though he'd snickered to himself at the blush that crept over her cheeks when she realized what she'd done. Regardless, his mother had been far more understanding of the significance of his choice after he relayed the bits of their first date to her regarding the chocolate shop.

"I have a confession," Hermione admitted when they finally stole a moment alone again. They'd slipped out into the small alcove again where he led her to a bench near the koi pond to hold her close for a moment.

Draco lifted a pale eyebrow at that. "Do tell."

"I don't want a long engagement."

A feral smirk tilted the corner of his mouth and he leered at her playfully. "Just can't wait to get your hands on me, can you?"

She held his gaze as she rubbed a hand across his chest. "Frankly, no I can't." She laughed when his smirk widened and shook her head with a sigh. "I just don't want to drag this out, Draco. There's no point. Neither of us have especially large families or circles of friends so getting everyone together for a wedding isn't going to be that difficult. And if what we just went through has taught me anything, it's that I'm miserable without you," she admitted shyly.

Draco's expression softened and he leaned down to kiss her gently. "If it's any consolation, it was mutual. You've gotten under my skin, you little swot."

Hermione huffed at his teasing and smacked his chest with the back of her hand.

"I also have the distinct feeling if I tell your mother I want to have the wedding next week then she'd make it happen."

He snorted and craned his neck to brush a soft kiss on her mouth once more, unable to resist her now that he had her again. "Don't give her any ideas. I think she's more anxious than me to have you in the family." He moved his lips across her jaw to her ear. "And I'm quite anxious to call you my wife," he whispered low, noting her shiver at his tone.

Draco trailed his lips back across her jaw and was rewarded when she threaded his hands in his hair before yanking him to her finally before he could finish the journey on his own. He groaned when the witch devoured his mouth, her body turning more solidly towards him as he cradled her back in his hands.

"Ugh, Merlin, they're at it again!"

Hermione and Draco ignored Ron's shout and continued snogging as if they hadn't heard him at all. They'd been apart for a month which was a month too long. The rest could wait.

At the end of the night, Draco was thankful to be able to shake hands with her father though he was certain it would still take some time before the man trusted him completely with his daughter. At least for now, he wouldn't be threatening to remove all his teeth.

He had the leftovers of her cake delivered to his kitchen by the house elves after Hermione protested having it brought to her flat, all too afraid she'd eat too much of it if she had ready access. Draco resisted the urge to remind her that she could just apparate to his townhome when she wanted a piece.

In fact, that was exactly what happened after he disapparated them back to her building. He kissed her goodnight, having a very fitful time letting her go for the evening. Yet a loud crack in his kitchen signified her arrival not even an hour later.

Draco leaned against the doorframe as he watched the witch stand on her toes to reach a plate. She'd changed out of her dress and into her pajamas which consisted of his old quidditch shirt that she'd not relinquished during their separation and a pair of short athletic shorts. She'd let half of her hair down and the ends of her curls swayed about her shoulders in a way that made him want to run his fingers through the honey strands.

I'm a bleeding sap.

"Just couldn't stay away, could you," he teased as he walked up behind her and handed her the item she was reaching for.

Hermione didn't even bother with her normal sarcastic retort and merely lifted on her toes to kiss his cheek before taking the plate and cutting herself a slice of the sinful cake. "Do you want any?"

He enjoyed her newfound comfort in his home—soon to be theirs, though he was somewhat surprised by it. The glint of her engagement ring still adorning her finger made him realize that it was his commitment which likely prompted the sudden comfort now that they were back together. Hermione Granger valued loyalty and nothing made him more loyal than asking her to marry him.

Draco came up behind the witch when she finished plating the cake and grasped her hips in his hands. She yelped softly in surprise when he lifted her and sat her on the counter in front of him, leaning towards her with hands on either side of her.

Her brown eyes softened at the heated expression he was sporting and she held her fork out to share a bite of the dessert with him. Draco took the offered bite with a little growl and leaned forward to kiss her softly.

"I like it when you feed me," he admitted quietly.

Hermione's cheeks tinted with a blush as she focused her attention back on the plate and cut herself a bite. "I noticed that back in Diagon Alley that time."

"Hmm, and what else do you notice?"

A curious smirk titled her lips and she met his eyes again. "I noticed the jealous look Lavender gave me tonight after she saw my ring."

He snorted at that and straightened up to his full height, hands still comfortably on either side of her hips though.

"Perhaps that will shut the bloody bint up with her biting remarks about you."

"Doubtful," Hermione grumbled after a bite of cake.

Draco lifted a hand and wiped his thumb across the corner of her mouth, the sucked the excess icing from his thumb and leaned forward to kiss her gently.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips.

The corners of his mouth curled when she closed the small distance with another kiss.

"I love you, too."

~o~O~o~

"And that pretty much sums up how I won Britain's most brilliant witch," Draco grinned triumphantly. "The wedding was six months later."

Blaise just shook his head, a small smile tilting his mouth now as he sipped his drink. "Not going to recount the honeymoon, are you?"

The blonde held a hand over his chest in mock outrage. "Of course not, Blaise. Some things between a man and woman should be sacred, you know." He glanced towards his wife who was still preoccupied and turned back with a feral smirk. "But I will say she's bleeding amazing."

Draco remembered quite clearly the morning after their first night together on their honeymoon. He'd woken early and merely lay in bed for at least an hour with her curled against him, just watching her sleep. He didn't even care that it made him as sappy as a damned Hufflepuff. Outside of making love to her for the first time, it was the single most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

When the sun had begun to come up, he'd finally managed to pry himself out of the bed to shower. It was on their suite's balcony that she found him later. His new wife appeared in nothing but the bed sheet wrapped around her body and climbed into his lap to watch the sunrise with him.

Of course, they only managed to watch for a few minutes before they made it back to their bed for another go.

"I still can't believe she made you wait," Blaise shook his head with a smirk, "And that you did."

"I think he's perfectly satisfied," Hermione interjected as she rejoined her husband and his friend.

Blaise laughed less at her quip and more at the gooey-eyed expression that came across Draco's face when she looped her arm through his. The blonde didn't even take notice though.

It was quite clear to anyone who could see that the two were quite in love and that it was very mutual.

"That he does," the Italian agreed.

"Has he been telling our story again," Hermione asked, a teasing smirk directed at her husband.

Draco shrugged and wrapped his arm around her waist then. "It's an excellent story," he defended.

"In fairness, I did ask," Blaise offered.

"It wouldn't matter if you didn't," she grinned good-naturedly. "He'd tell you regardless. He's quite preoccupied with bragging to anyone who will listen about how he convinced me to give him a chance."

"It's called wooing, Sweetheart," Draco smirked, "And it wasn't easy."

Hermione only shrugged. "As if I was going to make it easy for you." She looked back at Blaise. "I like to hold the fact that he fell for me first over his head."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Swot."

She grinned. "Prat."

Blaise shook his head, a slight smile on his face. "I'd never believe this if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes," he muttered to himself.

The End