The Buddy System. *Updating In Process*

Unexpected Meetings

"Merlin mother, can you let us graduate from school first." Draco gave a nervous chuckle.

"I know it is a while off yet...but...it will be spectacular!" I blushed. I had always dreamed about getting married and starting a family of my own. I always imagined that Cedric would walk me down the aisle and hand me off to my husband with a proud look on his face before moving to join his own wife in the pews.

I know it was tradition for the father to give away the bride but let's face it. I would be lucky if my dad even came to my wedding day. He would probably tell us he had to work that day. When I bought this house, I pictured raising my kids here and watching them grow up playing in the back garden, surrounding by siblings and a dog and magical pet. And lately? Yeah I had pictured Draco there too playing with our kids.

But I would never admit it out loud. Merlin it had been 4 months not 4 years. It was early days and while I could see myself having a future with Draco, I wasn't going to jinx it.

"Actually I would like to talk to you both, in the study if I could?" She said rising and taking her coffee cup with her. Draco and I looked to each other first before rising and following her.

"And we are going to clean up so we can open presents." Andromeda smiled at Theo who rolled his eyes and went back to feeding Bleu who he had set in the middle of the table and was currently enjoying all the attention.

Draco took my hand and guided me into the study, closing the door behind him. Narcissa was sitting on the armchair in the room. Draco and I sat down on the window seat. "I wanted to chat to the two of you about your relationship," Narcissa started in a soft voice.

"Mother, really?" Draco groaned putting his hands to his face.

"It's just, well son, I can see that you are both in love. You even mentioned it to us. That tells me that you are both serious about this relationship?"

I took Draco's hand in both of mine. "Yes we are." I answered her.

"Very serious." He added.

She beamed. "Oh I am so pleased. You make a great couple. You seem to bring out the best in each other. You know that we heard everything you said this morning on the roof. Raelyn, I am so fond of you and I can see the effect that your love has had on him. I have not seen Draco so carefree and happy. That is all I could ever want for my son."

"Mother you are embarrassing me." He groaned.

"I just want the best for you Draco and I want you both to know that I adore this relationship and I want to give it my blessing. I also want to say something to Raelyn," she turned to me and cleared her throat.

Suddenly I was nervous. "Draco has been writing to me about you since September. He has shared more with me this year than he has in the last 7 years of school. You see him Raelyn for who he is rather than the mark on his arm. You accept him and love him, irregardless of what happened last year. There is no prejudice. You are an amazing girl Raelyn Diggory. You are sweet, charming, kind, loving, loyal and from what I have been told you are very smart and gifted. You are everything I could want in a daughter-in-law."

"Thank you Narcissa." I sniffed as Draco squeezed my hand.

"Now have you two thought about marriage?" she asked taking both Draco and my by surprise.

"Mother!" Draco scolded.

"What?" She said innocently shrugging. "A mother needs to know these things. Do I need to contact a jewellers or get a heirloom from the family vault?"

"Mother it has been three months." He argued.

"And? I was engaged to your father after 6 weeks of being together."

"Well I...I mean...we...that is to say..." he seemed nervous and while it was adorable to watch him squirm I thought it was best to help him out.

I smiled. "Right now Narcissa, this all new to us. This is Draco's first proper relationship and the first time either of us have been in love. Do we want to be together? Absolutely. Are we in it for the long haul? Definitely. But for right now we are just enjoying each other's company and finishing our final year at school."

Draco leaned forward. "I do not plan on letting this girl go anywhere mother. I love her. I adore her. I worship the ground she walks on. I am in this for the long haul. Marriage, babies, growing old together and spending our lives together. But for now? I want to spend time with her. I want to be a kid, just for a little while longer. We only have to June and then we have to grow up and become adults, get jobs and start the next chapter of our lives. Let us enjoy the time we have."

Narcissa looked from one of us to the other. Then she smiled. "So you both admit that you will eventually get married? This relationship is leading somewhere?"

We looked at each other. Merlin this was embarrassing. But what did we have to lose at this stage. "Yes." We both said in unison. My two hands were still clasped to one of Draco's. He moved his second to rest on top of mine.

"Oh good." Narcissa exclaimed. "In that case, I have something for you Draco." she reached into her pocket and produced a ring box.

My breathing stopped.

"Mother, I-"

She opened it and inside was a ring. It was a silver band with an infinity shape set of diamante stones looped through. "This is a promise ring. Your grandfather gave it to your grandmother when they were students."

She passed Draco the box. "I will leave you to it." She smiled, stood and left the room.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

"My mother...the meddler." He scoffed.

"She means well." I smiled. "She has a weird way of getting what she wants but there is method in her madness."

He held out the box. "She isn't wrong though is she?" He asked. "We love each other. We know that this is where we want to be. Raelyn, I promise to love you for the rest of forever. I promise to spend everyday trying to make you happy."

"You don't have to try very hard. Draco you are my soulmate. My everything." He smiled.

"So," he held out the box. "What do you say?"

"Uh...what exactly are you asking Draco? I am already yours." I laughed.

"I know but with my ring on your finger, everyone will know. It's a promise that one day it will be replaced with a bigger diamond. So will you wear it?" He looked up hopeful.

I looked into his eyes and then down to the box and back up. He looked so nervous. I thought it was way too early to be talking about this kind of thing but now that we were, I realised there was nothing I wanted more. "Of course I will wear it, you big softie." I smiled as he placed the ring on my finger and took my hands before leaning in an kissing me.

I held his face in my hands. "I love you."

"I love you Raelyn."

"You know this was the most bizarre way of doing this in the history of promise proposals. Your mother forced your hand." I laughed.

"Rae, if you were ok with it. I would be proposing to you right now and marrying you tomorrow. But I know you want to graduate first." He smiled.

I did. But do I feel like that now?

"So this isn't because of your mother?" I didn't want to upset him but I had to know that his feelings were genuine. It didn't mean anything if they weren't from his heart.

"I admit it was convenient that she was here with a ring but yes, this is all from the heart. I love you. I want you. This ties you to me. My vow to propose to you when the time is right."

And I kissed him again.