Whoever invented bow ties honestly wanted shooting.
Draco must have been there for at least 10 minutes trying to tie this stupid bow round his neck. He hadn’t been this nervous in a long time. His head was filled with chaotic thoughts. What if the gala didn’t go well? What if his past affected the chance these kids had at a normal life? What if, what if, what if
But then suddenly she popped in his head.
Hermione had took the reigns on this one, his name was on the decree but she had done most of the work and let him take the credit. He owed the witch more than he could fathom, and when he asked her to marry him everything seemed to fall into place. She was the antidote for any problem he had. She had figured out a way to get the dark mark removed, she brought him and his mother back together. She had literally, in more ways than one, fixed his broken heart and mended it with her super glue.
That's what she was, a forever binding super glue, and he would gladly endure the stickiness for the rest of his days as long as she was there.
She’ll be there, you have no need to worry. She will be right by your side.
Breaking his train of thought, pansy burst in the room. He had to admit, she did look stunning. She had a sleek silver dress which complimented her pitch black bob and piercing eyes, however he couldn't help but notice they didn’t have a patch on the mahogany golden sunset eyes of his fiancé and how much the warmth of them brought him so much peace.
“Have you still not figured out how to do a bow tie yet?” she commented with a smirk, “Gods Draco, you’re 24 years old and still struggle with basic tasks”
She chuckled as she walked over to help him, expertly tying the bow around his neck and straightening it out.
“I look okay right?” he asked nervously, pulling at the edge of his tux jacket. He was never an insecure person but the pressure he felt on his shoulders because of tonight was starting to feel more and more burdening.
“Draco, you look amazing”
He looked down at the witch and for a moment, she started to lean in.
No no this isn’t right
He quickly moved to put his head over hers, initiating out of the oncoming kiss and turning it into a hug. He could feel her shoulders sag for just a second, before she reached up and reciprocated the hug. He felt her move into the hug and she was so close he could feel her breath on his neck as she faintly placed a kiss on it. He was frozen. Why couldn't he move? Her lips suddenly changed to a sucking motion against his neck which snapped him out straight away.
“Pansy..”
She shook her head.
“I don’t need you to reject me verbally, i get it”
He grabbed her hands and wiped the stray tear falling down her cheek.
“Pansy you have been my sister my whole life, i love you so much” he took a deep breath in “but I am in love with Hermione. She is the reason I breath, she’s my reason for waking up in the morning. You’re my sister, but she will be my wife”
Pansy turned away from him for just a second, rolled her shoulders back and composed herself. When she faced him again, she was back to her normal self.
“You’re right” she grabbed his hand, “come on, we’re going to be late and she’ll be more than likely waiting for you”
She’ll be waiting for you… thats all he needed to hear, he was ready to face the crowd as long as Hermione was there with him.
The room was full of important witches and wizards, not only from the uk but from all over the world. Hermione really had outdone herself. The decor was tasteful and classy, the room has an aura about it that made him smile instantly. His witch was a formidable being, was there anything she could not achieve?
He made his way down the stairs accompanied with Pansy following suit, heading over to his mother straight away and placing a kiss on her cheek. He made the rounds, greeting people, thanking them for their generous donations, all the while his eyes darting around to try and find his fiance.
She should be here by now.
Pansy passed him a glass of champagne and as he thanked her, she planted a kiss on his cheek.
Only in a friendly way right? She knew where he stood now.
The clash of glass on the floor got his attention. He quickly turned around to find his beautiful witch, red faced and tears brewing in her eyes.
Shit.
Before he could even process the next few moments, she was gone in a flash.
Shit shit shit
“Draco just leave her” pansy pleaded trying to grab his arm.
He brushed her off and sprinted out of the room. Running down the corridor he caught a glimpse of her hair as she moved round the corner. Shouting her name multiple times, trying to get her to stop. Just as he reached her, she grabbed a handful of floo powder.
“Hermione, please wait!”
She turned to face him, her usual happy eyes looked shattered. He knew what she had seen, he had to reassure her.
“She’s just a friend granger you know this” reaching his hand out to her.
She took two steps towards him, and ask he felt her hand on his cheek he closed his eyes and leaned into it, the comfort he had needed all night. This made it better. All he needed was for her to come back in the room with him and everything would be fine. Her hand moved down his cheek onto his neck, and her sudden removal of her hand woke him out of his trance.
“Tell pansy i said have a good evening”
Wait? What?
And that was when he could his reflection in the mirror of the fireplace. Bright red lipstick covered his neck, and a protruding bruise from earlier in the evening.
No no no, this isn’t what she thinks it is.
“Wait no, granger please let me expla….”
Before he could finish his sentence she shouted out their flat address and disappeared, tears free falling down her cheeks.
Draco grabbed a handful of floo powder to follow her, only to be blocked off as soon as he tried.
He couldn’t lose her. He had to fix this.
How was he going to fix this?