Oh no's, I Do's, and I Love You's

: FINAL CHAPTER OF PLAYING MOMMY & DADDY: Thou hath been warned.

-:-

"Your eyes MUST'VE been fooling you, Hermione!"

"I swear on my grandmother's grave that's what I saw!"

"Oh that is just RIDICULOUS!"

The incredulous exclamations emerged within the relatively, thankfully empty Gryffindor common room, only inhabited by four of its very own. After the interesting display shown in Slytherin dormitory earlier that day, Hermione was quick to gather Harry, Ron, and Ginny to inform them of the horrendous news.

"Makoto hates the git!" Ron spat loudly, scathingly as his face twisted with his own repulsion.

"I agree with Ron, we've had to hold her at bay from assaulting him numerous times in the past." Harry followed tiredly from the cushioned sofa was half-lounged upon, one leg stretched out across the expanse of the couch.

"Indeed we have but that still wouldn't explain the fact why she was even in his personal chambers. Let alone why she was on his bed, embracing him from behind!" The auburn-haired genius screeched, stomping her foot childishly.

"And NO, I was NOT seeing things!"

There was a moment of uncomfortable hush across the four, the thick tension all but evident. Ron, however, continued to shake his head disbelieving, disapprovingly.

This just made no sense, whatsoever! He had known Makoto for roughly six years now, being one of quintessential people in his life that he would honest-to-God risk his life for. She had spent the latter half of her summers and Christmas breaks at his house, hell, she was a vital part as to how he managed to profess his feelings to Hermione!

In simplest terms, she was another sister to him.

The red-head had hoped that he had known one of his closest friends more then enough to verify that she wouldn't go on fraternizing with the enemy. But his 'Mione wouldn't go on spreading such rumors, specially one of such severity, about like that. He knew his 'Mione enough to say that.

Could being so close to Malfoy for the past few week or so taken such a toll on her? Perhaps he had done something to her, tricked her or seduced her, some sort of potion maybe. He had to have done something…or maybe the whole thing was a total misunderstanding.

"We aren't saying that we don't believe you, 'Mione." Ron suddenly murmured assuringly behind his petite girlfriend, his own hands slipping over hers, fingers slipping in the spaces between.

"Just that we're hoping it isn't what you say it is." Ginny followed with a heavy sigh, seated happily on Harry's lap with one of his arms possessively encircling her waist.

The young sorceress opened her mouth to say something but quickly shut it a moment later, deciding against it. She only shook her head just as Ron had prior, that worn plaintive air rounding her expression.

If she were in any of their shoes, she probably would have said the same. But they hadn't seen what she had seen, HEARD what she had heard! He was practically serenading her and by the looks of it, she showed no signs of objection. Could it possibly by that Makoto and Draco were now a couple?

Hermione finally shook her head a moment later, too tired to fathom any longer on the subject. Tomorrow were the 'weddings. And tomorrow, they would hopefully be able to tell whether or not their hope's had been feeble.

-:-

Draco sighed wearily as continued pace back and fro about the entrance of now-shut doors to the personal bathroom of his dormitory, face pensive and wrought with worry. He paused every so and then, taking an absent glance towards the platinum wrist-watch about his arm before blanching painfully and falling back into his pacing motion.

This action was repeated several times before he finally came to a sudden stop in front of the small doors, head lifting to glare hard at the slabs of wood. He took a fortifying breath then lifting one tightly curled fist before proceeding to slam the fist hard against the door.

"What in blimey hell is taking you so long?" he demanded hotly to his female counterpart on the other-side of the door, pretending not to hear that faint quiver of uncertainty in his own voice.

"I SAID gimme a MINUTE." Came her own loud snapping response, irritation all-but-evident.

The Slytherin powerhouse proceeded to roll his eyes rather exasperatedly, arms coming to cross over his chest as he suddenly allowed his weight to lean heavily on the left paneling of the doorway.

"You said to 'give you a minute' ten minutes ago, Kino." He informed tiredly, allowing his temple to rest some on the expanse of the door, absently flicking a silvery-white lock out of his line of vision.

"I WOULD'VE gotten to shower and been in the gown long before if SOMEONE hadn't distracted me." She announced pointedly, the sound of her shuffling feet growing louder and more haste.

Well he had to give her that. For some reason though, Draco could practically feel her smug little smirk through the wooden barrier.

"Patience is a virtue, Malferret and I definitely think you should start practicing it." Her voice floated towards the door, causing the seventeen-year-old to straighten up away from the doorway. He scowled.

"Well punctuality is a virtue too and I INDEFINATELY think YOU should--"

His scathing tirade was forced to an abrupt halt as all the air in his lungs were sucked out of them, jaw falling slack in gaping astonishment. He definitely needed to give that cashier lady a big thank-you card.

His pretty emerald-eyed 'intended' stood; cheeks flushed red from exertion, in the middle of the bathroom doorway with her hands propped on either side of her hip, one fine brow lifted in daring question. Despite her obvious irritation, she looked positively enchanting.

She had chosen an ivory-white gown of soft satin, shoulders bare, with a halter-top type neckline, its collar wide and encircling snug about her slender throat. The back swept down just above her little derriere, thus leaving her entire back exposed. Her skirt pooled down heavy over the pair of white slippers on her feet, just brushing against the marble floors beneath her.

Other then that she wore a pair of diamond studs in her ears, which she had borrowed from Herms, and the green jade heart pendant about her neck, resting plainly on the white gown. Her hair was done up in its normal do, gathered up into a high ponytail, held in place by a white clasp.

She wore no make-up…which he preferred much over then otherwise. It wasn't as if she needed it.

"Well now that we're done with staring at each other like complete and total buffoons," The brunette began softly, scratching the back her head out of nervous habit, glancing away some.

The platinum-haired seventeen-year-old continued to gape for a moment, almost entranced, before shaking himself out of it, his own gaze falling aside some. He chuckled slightly under his breath, his own cheeks gone notably red as he began to rub at the nape of his neck rather sheepishly.

"Y-yeah, I guess so." Smooth Draco, REAL SMOOTH. Since when was he all-thumbs Weasley?

His head snapped up however when he felt her hands brush up against his chest, faintly widened eyes staring somewhat surprised into a pair of emerald green pools. She didn't seem to notice his sudden gaze, or chose to ignore it quite well, as she carefully began to readjust his terribly misplaced tie.

…she had to keep perfectly concentrated if she intended on retying this just right; though it was pretty hard what with him being THIS close to her; the pleasantly clean smell of soap, his sweet cucumber kiwi shampoo and the overall scent that was just so uniquely, innately Draco Malfoy saturating her every sense and being.

EVEN though that was all she had been surrounded by for the past week or so. Pretty funny since, it still made her weak in the knees.

-:-

"Where IS she?" Hermione snapped quietly to herself as she took another glance towards the main double-doors that lead to the Main Hall, face wrought with concern and worry.

"She's gonna miss roster call." Parvarti announced dryly soon after, leaning heavily against a near-by wall as she gave her perfectly polished and cut nails a thorough examination.

"Nice to see you aren't growing grey-hair over her well-being, Par." Noelle spout with a disgruntled glower, casting the exceedingly beautiful Indian a somewhat dark glare.

The two weeks had seemed to drag on before they finally reached this point where they would have to hand in their reports and proceed into their first dances. And they were all called to gather to the Main Hall after school-hours ended for the ceremonies, the ladies dressed in their finest white gowns and the boys in full-pressed uniform.

Luckily, no other students were invited to see the spectacle, for if they were Herms, Par, and Noelle would die on the spot.

But now, they were far more concerned with their missing comrade then their personal dignity, despite Miss Patil's supposed disinterest. It wasn't like Makoto to be late, though it had become a recurring issue lately. She had practically missed the Herbology test she did, heaven's luck allowing her to make it before roster call was over.

Was it PURE coincidence that her retrogress in punctuality seemed to coincide with her sudden pairing with a certain powder-blue eyed devil?

"Well she's finally decided to grace us with her presence."

Noelle and Hermione as well only blinked curiously at their darker-skinned companion, brows furrowing before they trailed after the direction Par was currently staring so intently at.

Soft, amber brown pools widened slightly as they caught onto Makoto just entering the large double oak-wood doors of the Main Hall entrance, looking completely ravishing with Draco hooked on her arm. The petite genius hadn't known why she felt her eyes widen at the sight, or why exactly she suddenly felt all her senses up onto a whole new level of alert vigilance.

They were SUPPOSED to be together. So it was just natural that they'd enter together…right?

Hermione's worried thoughts were shattered as their benevolently compassionate headmaster came into view, strolling out leisurely across the prefect platform. He came to a sudden stop at the edge of the stage, with his usual kind-hearted smile across his partially hidden face, hands clasped loosely in front of him. His dark eyes examined the mass, the usual mischievous twinkle in its depths as he did.

"Well now that everyone seems to be here and all of you can BARELY contain your excitement," Dumbledore murmured quietly to himself, chuckling half-hearted at his own joke under his breath.

"Let the ceremonies begin!"

-:-

Sometime later, Hermione stood off in the farther sides of the vast anti-chamber that lead to the Main Hall, the massive congregation recuperating there after having submitted their financials.

Her dance with Theodore had long since been over, her pseudo-mate off somewhere chatting away with his usual ring of companions, her Ron keeping her company. Even though he was currently far more preoccupied with scarfing down his sixth plate of roast beef and mashed potatoes.

She sighed, eyes rolling. Why she loved him for that, she did not know.

"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy!"

The auburn-haired genius perked up considerably at that, rounded eyes locking onto the said couple as the passed under the arch-way.

Makoto looked absolutely gorgeous in her gown, as if it were her actual wedding or something. But the 1000 giga-watt smile could have played a big part in her beauty, the unadulterated amount of obvious joy and happiness around her seeming to brush off on other people.

…which only sparked her leery theories of them more-so then partners even farther.

Was it only her or something? Could she really be the only one who could tell between Makoto's overjoyed jubilance? Or perhaps the others were too uncertain to voice the idea…

Hermione felt her blood run cold as their wedding song rounded the air, eyes growing round to its limits.

-:-

"Oh I don't know about this Draco…why don't we change the song or something? It sounds totally stupid and and---"

Makoto was promptly shut-up with a simple brush of his lips against hers, her tiny face cupped in between his pleasantly warm hands. Her eyes remained open the entire time, staring wide and a little fretful but thoroughly pleased despite it.

He finally pulled away several moments later, face still in his hold and quite surprised to see her large green eyes already open when he did his. But he only shrugged it off, grinning a little as he pressed his forehead against hers.

"Stop worrying, you got me here to lead don't cha?" His brow lifted with question, twisting his handsome face into a funny expression, in hopes of getting her to laugh.

She grinned at that, biting at the corner of her lip to hold back her laugh. Instead she cocked a fine brow of her own, assuming a somewhat stunned expression.

"You call THAT reassuring?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy!" The announcer's voice boomed painfully to the young sorceress's ears, color draining from her face.

She quickly spun her heel and began to make fast strides for the door, deciding an incomplete on the wedding ceremony would do her just fine for this year. But Draco was just as quick to catch her by the elbow, gently but forcefully yanking her back to place.

Her mouth opened in objection, but he placed a single extended index finger over her lips, hushing her before she could even utter a whisper. But her glimmering vibrant green pools stared up at him, a little teary and well stricken with this terrified chagrin lurking in her pretty depths that made the Slytherin grimace.

"You'll do fine," he assured gently, tone more tender then before.

"Don't think, just feel."

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face and I've
Never been this swept away

All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear
Is the beating of your heart

The ungainly brunette and her much taller companion glided out onto the marble floor, cheeks reddening under the sudden gentle round of applause. Though more-so of Makoto, while Draco seemed to carry it on as if it were natural, even grinning a little smugly in turn.

They came to a sudden stop in the center, hands clasping and legs parting into proper dance position. Makoto gulped heavily.

"Don't think Mako," Draco reiterated, the amount of warmth and confidence in his eyes soothing her own nerves a some.

"Just feel, just feel."

'Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

It was a slow start, generally uncertain as the couplet began to step and side-step about the room floor.

All Makoto could do was squeeze her eyes shut and pray with a dying hope that she wasn't stepping TOO far apart, going TOO fast or TOO slow, or just that she just wasn't doing all TOO bad overall. She was never good at this kind of…biddable lady stuff…dancing, being coy and demure.

It was easier overthrowing an opponent twice her body weight then dancing properly for more then five seconds.

'…justfeeljustfeeljustfeel…'

"I watch the sunlight dance across your face," His breath sears her ears and neck, cheeks warming with the same heat and her eyes slowly lifting open.

"…and I've never been this swept away."

Her eyes open fully, now realizing that her face had been resting safely on one of his broad shoulders, hidden away from the scrutiny of her fellow classmates, from Harry and Ron, from Noelle and Hermione. But for the oddest reason…she had completely forgotten they were even here.

In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
I'm closer than I've ever felt before
And I know
And you know
There's no need for words right now

"In a way I know my heart is waking up…"

Makoto swallows thickly, snuggling her face deeper into his arm, taking in a deep inhalations of his scent, feeling her heart flutter at that. DEAR GOD! How could anyone smell this WONDERFUL was beyond tangible sense…though she wasn't in any position to complain.

"…closer then I've ever felt before…"

His words rumbled from his throat, soft and barely audible, into her neck, lost into wafting whispers of before. She could feel him smiling, as little as it seemed, with his fingers rubbing back and forth at the fabric about her hips, the sensation making her shudder.

"Draco?"

The Slytherin powerhouse pulled back a little, head lifting at full height to stare down at her curiously, fully. His pretty blue eyes blinked down at her with wonder, the amount of affection reflected in their depths startling.

"Hm-m?"

She simply stared up at him for a moment, face tilted up to the side and pressed up against his shoulder, fighting the burning urge to just push up and smother her face across his. All she wanted to do was catch him by the face and kiss him senseless, show him just how much he made her feel, how much she loved him.

…she shook her head, herself out of it seconds later, allowing her gaze to fall off a little, cheeks a pretty pink.

And it came out before she could think.

'Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

"I love you."

Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

And Draco tenses, blinking stunned and completely thrown out-of-sorts by her words, clearly taken aback. All at once he felt himself lifted into Euphoria, only to be yanked back down with uncertain doubt. His gaze fell off a little, suddenly pretending to be very interested in the intricate designs etched on the walls about him.

All the while the ungainly brunette waited…waited for his response, waited for those very same three words she had just stupidly let slip return to her. In one swift moment, she felt her heart bottom out.

He turned away.

...which could only possibly mean…she shook her head, in the process upending the tiny droplets of tears that had formed in the corner of her eyes. Maybe it was too soon…too soon to be saying things like that? Of course, of course it was, they hadn't been going out all that long, how could she expect him to feel something as strong, as potent as love so soon?

It was the emerald-eyed Makoto's turn to tense up as the filthy rich boy-man bent his neck some to allow his face to nestle snugly in the open curve of her neck. Eyes huge, face a blush with familiar heat, she practically came to a stammering stop as his lips latched onto the tender flesh at the base of her neck, nibbling and nipping ever so gently.

He continued the process, slow and full-of-purpose, in a teasing trail up the side of her throat, all the way to the soft flesh just below her ear. He allowed his lips to press up firm against that spot, crystal blue eyes fluttering shut to their own accord.

…he could feel the pulsating beat of her heart just under his mouth.

His arms, latched loosely but possessively around her hips, give it a good squeeze before drawing her near, fully, her front full flush against his own. His eyes slowly lift open, tilts his head aside and brushes his lips against her ears before ever-so gently, a fading wisp in the air whispers into her ear…

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way

"I love you too."

-:-

I've cut the previous chapter, Sunsets & Goodnight Kisses, solely because I couldn't fathom any other direction to go. My sincerest apologies, luv. However, I might consider a sequel, or if anyone has any suggestions, a new story all together?

I'm curious as whether or not I should revise Chasing Spitfire and The Exchange Program, since reading it now I am thoroughly displeased with its poor quality. What do you, the reviewers, think bout this?

SH0UTS0FPRAiSE: ATHENAKYLE, SAILOR TAUR-CHAN, SERENiTYBL0SS0M, AIRLADY, FiONAXFYRE, CRiS, LiTAKiNO22, YUKiASAO, & ALL OTHER KIND REVIEWS WHO I HAVE FAILED TO MENTION. Tea & Crumpets for all of you!

So for the last time, for this story at least, all reviews can be received via the 'SUBMIT REVIEW BUTTON'. And with that, I close Playing Mommy & Daddy. It's been fun.