"Hermione Malfoy, it has quite the ring-"
"No, Draco," Hermione sternly interrupted. "We are not having this argument again."
"I just think-"
"You just think that I should take your last name and be done with it. Yes, I know. You've stated that a thousand times." Hermione rolled her eyes and refused to look up at her fiance, who was currently looming over her.
"Look, I know that you feel-"
"That regardless of how much you've reformed the Malfoy name, it still feels odd to be a Muggleborn who is marrying into one of the most purist elite families in the Wizarding World. I could recite my speech word for word from memory now, Draco."
"But-"
"No!" Hermione finally allowed her eyes to take in the sight of Draco, who could only be described as accurately depicting the expression of a five-year-old child who had been refused some sort of treat. "I refuse to back down on this."
"As do I, so where does this leave us?" His eyes were wide, waiting for her rebuttal. He'd never implied an ultimatum previously when they'd had this tense discussion. They'd managed six weeks between the conversation this time which seemed like some sort of new record.
"Where does this leave us?" Hermione uttered meekly.
"No, no!" Draco said suddenly, taking a seat at the kitchen table and scooting the chair to be side by side with hers. He quickly gathered her into his arms, her hair tickling his nose. "That isn't what I meant. I'm not saying you have to take my name or we're done."
"Sounded a lot like it," Hermione replied quietly, her nose betraying her cool composure with a sniffle.
"I'll take your name," Draco whispered in her ear. "I'd be proud to have it. It's not about the name, I just want us to be united. So everyone knows that no one could ever have you. You're mine."
"I'm yours," she said as she looked up at him. His silver eyes were quickly fleeting from panic and they softened as they looked back at her. He placed a kiss against her neck. "Hermione Granger-Malfoy. Final Offer."
"Deal."