"A/N: More Draco and Mel fluff. This is utterly self indulgent; dandelionandburdock [@iliveiloveiwrite]really did enjoy writing every word of this. You know her and her love for Draco by now! Anyways, here is the next instalment in the Journey to Hogwarts series written by her and supported by @obsessedwithrandomthings @kalimagik stufferknee [@firewhisky-kisses] and @heloisedaphnebrightmore (me)" - Tumblr

Warnings: mentions of alcohol and FLUFF!

Word count: 2.5k

The portal swirled in front of the five girls, who in their short time in the wizarding world, had found that they belonged there. Mel remained stoic as she listened to the ministry officials explain what was going to happen; her mind wasn't in the room – it was with Draco and their last night together. They hadn't slept; they has remained in each other's arms whispering about a life they were not meant to have until the early hours of the morning where they both finally let each other reluctantly go with a long, languid kiss.

Mel stepped away from the scene that now played out in front of her. Ana and Ron embracing had her yearning for a life with Draco more than she longed to return to her lonely flat.

"I'm staying," She announced to the room. She turned to Hermione, "The Magical Citizenship, how quick can it be done?"

"A few weeks with no delays," Hermione stated.

Mel nodded, "Then start my application process. I'm staying, I don't want to go," Mel turned to one of the officials, "Can you apparate?" At his nod, she held out a hand to him, "Malfoy Manor, please."

She waved at the girls before she left.

——–

Mel stayed.

She apparated to the grounds of the manor; barely even thanking the ministry official before taking off down the main path for the front door.

The large dark door of the Manor opened and out rushed Draco; one arm stuck in his suit jacket. He almost tripped running down the steps but he quickly regained his footing and started sprinting towards Mel – his Quidditch years finally making an appearance.

They practically crashed into each other; hands grabbing at fabric to keep the other pressed close. Their eyes ran over each other wildly; as if not believing they were stood in front of the other.

"Mother said she saw you, but I didn't know whether to believe until I looked out of the window."

"I couldn't go. They found a loophole; I get to be with you for as long as I want."

"Really?" Draco laughed; the word wet with unshed tears.

Mel nodded; holding his face with both her hands, "I'm staying. If you'll have me."

Draco laughed once more; lost in her brown eyes, "I'll have you. Yesterday, today, tomorrow."

——–

A Year Later:

The small band played in the corner of the room; it's singer crooned to the room; couple after couple taking to the dancefloor to waltz the night away with their partners.

Mel and Draco stood near the entrance to the ballroom, greeting their guests. At one point, Draco leaned down to Mel's ear and whispered, "You look stunning."

And she did. Mel felt she looked beautiful. Narcissa had taken to her to Diagon Alley where they searched in each and every clothes shop to find the perfect dress for the occasion. They were close to giving up as well when Narcissa paused in the middle of street, tugging on Mel's arm. Narcissa didn't need to say anything; she simply pointed at the shop window where Mel saw a deep emerald green dress that settled just below the knee and flared into petticoats. The sweetheart neckline would only enhance her chest and the green would balance perfectly with the array of black and grey tattoos covering her arms and legs.

Mel didn't need to think twice; she bought the dress and hid it from Draco in Narcissa's large wardrobe.

Together, the two women paired the dress with sterling silver earrings that dangled from Mel's lobes – a serpent on either side of her face. As well as a dark red lip that almost personified her as the female equivalent of Salazar himself.

But to top it all off, on her right hand, Mel wore the Malfoy family ring gifted to her by Draco in the early hours of this morning. He had stated that it wasn't her only present, but he had pulled her in for a searing kiss after sliding it onto her middle finger, effectively ending any and all questioning from her. It wasn't a proposal – far from it, but it was a promise that the Malfoy name would find itself attached to the end of hers at some point in the future.

Mel returned her attention to the oncoming guests after sending a wink in Draco's direction. She beamed at the new parents, Kiara and Neville, "Where's the little one tonight?"

Neville wrapped an arm around Kiara's shoulders, "Remus has her for the night so we could come celebrate."

Draco chuckled, "If you happened to leave early, we wouldn't blame you. She's precious."

"You're sounding broody, Draco," Kiara chimed, winking at Mel who could only laugh at her friend's words.

Draco spluttered, "Not for a while yet... We still have so much to do."

Mel placed a hand on his elbow, "Love, it's okay, breathe."

The couple laughed, departing soon after where Neville led Kiara to the dancefloor; dipping her with a laugh before pulling her back close to him. Mel watched for a moment; the happiness on their faces before being pulled back to greet more guests.

"Draco, love," Mel whispered, "Just how many people did your parents invite tonight?"

Draco shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine."

Mel groaned slightly; thinking of Narcissa and Lucius who seemed so excited about the possibility of throwing an anniversary party for the both of them that Mel couldn't say no. How could she? They had housed her for so long and gave her and Draco's relationship their happy blessing. Mel even counted Narcissa as her mother-in-law now so when they broached the idea of a party; Mel was not going to be the one to say no.

"Ana!" Mel called as the girl entered with Ron on her arm, "How are you? How's the new house?"

"This woman is a miracle worker," Ron gushed, "I can't tell you how homely the house now feels with her magic touch."

Mel laughed, "I'm glad to hear it. I bet you're glad to have the night off from being the hostess, Ana."

"More than glad," Ana admitted with some relief, "I'm having the entire night off if I can help it."

Draco snorted with a smile, "The bar is that way, and don't worry about paying."

Ron clapped Draco on the shoulder, "He's a winner, Mel."

"Don't I know it," Mel said with a wink.

"I'm a winner am I?" Draco murmured; shuffling closer to the brunette, a hand on the small of her back.

Mel hummed, "You're a winner all right."

When the guest have finished arriving, Draco and Mel start to make their circuit of the room. They smile at their friends; all sitting together laughing before waving over to where Narcissa and Lucius sit with Draco's relatives – peaceful smiles upon their faces.

By the time Mel has made the first circuit, her feet have started to scream in protest from the heels picked out. She sat at the table with her friends; taking her first drink of the champagne offered to her by a waiter. She leaned back in her chair; happy to have her friends around her to celebrate something like this. Mel watched everyone interact; Neville and Kiara were chatting to Blaise and Ellie over something Mel did not know; Des and Sirius were smiling at each other, a private conversation taking place between a couple who already knew each other so well. The only couple to be missing was Ron and Ana.

Movement in the corner of his eyes had Draco striding towards the large velvet curtains pulled back to expose the ceiling to floor windows.

Familiar red hair poked out as a known giggle poured from behind the curtain. Draco didn't hesitate in pulling back the curtain; the couple shouted their protests but quietened when they realised who had caught them out.

Draco grinned at the caught-out couple, "Dark corners and their temptations, right?"

Ron laughed; Ana blushed.

Draco nodded towards the double doors, "If you fancy some time alone – first floor, third door on the left. It's a guest room that's seldom used."

Ana's eyes widened at Draco's words. He chuckled, "I'm not saying you need to go; I'm just saying the option is there."

Ron gripped Ana's hand and snorted in amusement, "Thanks mate. We'll keep it in mind."

Draco shrugged; he fixed his suit jacket and tugged at the lapels, "Now, I've got to find my girlfriend and ask her to dance before she thinks I'm neglecting my duties as host."

Mel hadn't left the table Draco had last seen her; instead, she had been caught up in a lively debate with Sirius about the usefulness of History of Magic in Hogwarts. Sirius saw it as a bore; Mel who had dedicated her studies so far to witchcraft lore and their unjust persecutions, did not.

"Dance with me?" He interrupted; his hand held out to her.

She folded her hand in his, and he spun her out onto the dancefloor before bringing her back into his arms. The singer sidled up to the microphone as the band started up a familiar tune to the once muggle woman.

Mel gasped, "Draco, you didn't."

He smirked, crooning along with the lead singer, "I only have eyes for you..."

Tears lined Mel's eyes at the sound of Draco singing her all-time favourite song; something she had mentioned in passing months ago now. Draco's grip on Mel tightened as they spun around the dancefloor; he whispered lyrics of the song in her ear – he only has eyes for her and will continue to only have eyes for her until the stars no longer shine and the sun no longer rises in the morning.

Friends began to make their goodbyes not long after; wanting to get home to their own beds and to kiss their children goodnight. Draco and Mel saw each of their friends leave; elation over all their faces through whispered goodbyes and congratulations.

The couple walked through the now empty ballroom; Lucius and Narcissa having retried to bed long ago.

"Already a year," Draco murmured, catching the brunette in his arms.

"And the best year of my life," Mel stated bluntly. There was no lie in her voice; only the truth. This last year with Draco had been the best of her life so far, and it would continue to be the best she could live if he continue d to be by her side through it all.

"I love you very much, you know that right?"

Mel hummed, "What is it Cathy says in Wuthering Heights about Heathcliff? 'I love the ground under his feet, and the air over his head, and everything he touches, and every word he says; I love all his looks, and all his actions, and him entirely, and altogether.'"

Draco looked down at Mel in shock; wonder passed over his face, "Do you love me that much?"

Mel shook her head, "No. I love you more."

A wicked grin appeared on Draco's face. Mel immediately took a step back, "Don't you dare..." she warned, pointing a finger at him.

"What are you going to do?"

"This!" Mel shouted; swiftly turning on her heels and running through the ball room.

Draco caught up to her quickly; lifting her in his arms. She screeched with laughter, "Put me down!"

"Or what?"

Mel remained silent. Draco smirked, "Exactly."

Draco's hands began to tickle her waist; Mel snorted with laughter as the man's hands worked their way around her waist and back. His hands come to an eventual stop; Mel continued to gasp for breath for a few minutes after. She leaned back against him for support.

"What else do you have planned tonight, Mr. Malfoy?" Mel laughed; her hand tight in Draco's.

"You'll have to wait and see," Draco commented lightly before pulling the woman he loves into a long kiss.

———-

Wrapped up in the sheets, Mel laid on her front as Draco's finger trailed light patterns up and down the expanse of her spine. Leaning over, Draco dropped a kiss to her bare shoulder before reaching over her to open his bedside table.

Mel watched curiously as Draco rooted around for something; his hands finally landing on what he wanted.

The sheet now wrapped around her body; Mel sits up in bed, the tidily wrapped present now sat in her hands. With a happy grin, she shook the present.

"You need to open it up to find out what it is, love." Draco prompted; excited to see her reaction.

Mel gasped upon unwrapping her gift. There, surrounded by the silver gift wrap, was a magical photo album.

Tears began to collect in Mel's eyes as she flipped through the pages; one hand held to her mouth in awe. Draco shifted on the bed; moving to sit behind her, his chin rested on her shoulder.

"This is why you were taking all those photos, huh?" Mel says, voice choked up with emotion.

Draco kissed her bare shoulder once more, "This is exactly why."

Mel continued to flip through the album; seeing her favourite photos of the girls amongst her favourites of her and Draco.

Them in the garden, heads leant towards each other as they quietly discussed something among the roses. They were caught by surprise by Lucius and Narcissa who had snapped a memento of the private couple. It was Mel's favourite photo of the both of them; her grinning at the camera she had just noticed as Draco stared down at her lovingly. She already had a copy framed for her bedside table, but she loved it all the more now it was tucked away in these pages.

There was another of her and Draco; taken by Draco, himself. A selfie; their faces pressed together so close it was hard to see where one started and the other ended. Smiles lit up their faces; toothy grins and eyes bright with joy. It wasn't a particularly special day that this picture was taken; it was one of those days where they were sat around doing a whole lot of nothing when Draco pulled out the camera. But seeing it there; Mel's eyes pricked with unshed tears for the pure happiness that radiated out of the picture and that radiated out of her heart at the sight of it.

The third picture that Mel turned to is one that she had never seen before; it was of the both of them lying together on the chaise long in the library. Their heads were both buried in books, but their hands remained tangled in the space between them; happy to be in their own worlds for a while but needing the touch of the other should the fictional world they found themselves in become too much. Mel stared down at the photo; this one didn't move much – the only real movement coming from the turning of pages, but she didn't need it to move to feel the full impact of the scale of emotions leaving the image.

"Turn to the final page," Draco whispered in her ear, tucking a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear.

Mel followed his instruction; flipping the book over and opening the final page.

In his elegant cursive, Draco had written: To many more.

"So what do you say? Fancy making a lifetime worth of memories with me?"

Mel tackled him into the pillows with laugh. She straddled his hips, kissing his jaw, "Let's start right now."

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