Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, places, or ideas relating to or pertaining to the world of Harry Potter and JK Rowling. I graciously thank JK for her life-changing works and our ability as faithful readers to use her creations as our own for pure fanfiction pleasure.

.

Prologue

Once upon a time, seemingly too long ago, love existed in a rare state of happiness. It was a place Isla liked to call home. Every day, despite seeing him at work in the Ministry, and despite having her own flat to live in, she left the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley to Floo to Draco's cottage. When she didn't show up, he worried. And a fretting Malfoy was never a pleasant sight.

On this day in particular the sun was blazing and sweat dripped down her spine where cool air rushed in after the removal of her heavy maroon robes. The thin t-shit seemed to weigh too much and the cotton pants suctioned to her legs attested to the same thing. Blonde curls turned wavy from the moisture, Isla tossed her head as an empty Floo grate on the right appeared as an obvious choice for departure. Throwing the robe over her shoulder and grabbing a pinch of green powder, she tossed it to the floor as her vision swirled and her body was pulled into nothingness.

Of course Draco was already home. She could smell that instantly from the wafting scents of minty tea and warm scones. Legs stiff and tired from a boring day behind her desk, Isla slipped out of her shoes and distractedly flung her cloak at the couch before ambling through the living room to enter the kitchen. Slowly closing her blue eyes and inhaling thickly, she padded to the far side of the island as the strong smell of carryout resonated but opening her orbs again, she saw no white plastic bags or to go containers.

Then again, she didn't see Draco either. Stepping forward to reach into the cabinets for a clean cup and a jar of honey, Isla poured herself some tea, mixing her usual ingredients before taking a deep swallow of the warm liquid. Both hands wrapped around the hot cup and she took another sip as the drink soothed her frayed nerves. Leaning back against the marble counter top, Isla gazed out through the wall of glass into the side yard, her stare pausing when she noticed movement through the slightly fogged surface. When she gently wiped at the condensation, Draco's platinum head appeared into the small circle of clarity. An eager smile tugged at the corners of her plump lips, her heart jumping rapidly as her feet took on a mind of their own and walked outside.

He heard her approaching but Draco kept his back turned, fidgeting with a set of matches to light several small candles, and he felt her stop just behind him with her enamoring eyes glued to his broad shoulders.

"Decided to come home tonight?" He joked, his light tone repeating the phrase that he said every night when she came in later than normal, usually from a tedious assignment or strict orders for filled out paperwork from her boss.

"I guess so," Isla replied, her casual response belying the grin that held up her lips. "I guess something just - always brings me back to you."

Chuckling deeply, Draco rotated fluidly and swept his arms around Isla's curvy frame in the short distance from where she was standing. "Never takes you too long." And he dipped his blonde head to capture her mouth in a satisfying kiss that stole both their breaths and had them panting for air as they parted, identical smirks in place.

"Is all this for me?" She innocently questioned, staring over his shoulder at the romantically set table with a large bottle of champagne and plates full of deliciously appealing food. "What's the occasion?"

Draco trailed his large hands down the length of her bare arms, grasping her fingers tight as he moved to stand beside her, his left hand snaking around her waist to pull her closer to his side studiously ignoring the humidity and summer weather. "Can't a man show the woman he loves how much she means to him without it being a special occasion?" His words were rhetorical and he surmised she was not going to say anything snarky when he glanced over to see her gaping slightly, honey eyebrows raised in giddy surprise.

"Oh Draco," Isla groaned, pressing her breasts flush against his muscled chest and seizing his mouth in a passionate liplock. Her tongue slipped between their moving lips, tangling with his as her fingers found purchase in the thick blonde locks at his neck and he held her against him hips with large hands on her ass.

"Maybe dinner should wait. . ." Isla trailed off when Draco's mouth slid down her jaw and nipped at the soft flesh above her collarbones.

"But I - went - through so - much - trouble," Draco whined between bites along her neck.

"Well its loooooks like you didn't - need to."

He removed his mouth, tilting his head backwards to stare at her mockingly. "Are you trying to imply that I only did all this so you would shed your knickers at the end of the night?"

Isla cocked a golden eyebrows, sapphire gaze narrowed haughtily as she watched the grin cover his handsome face. "Draco - I love you," she started, tone evenly serious. "But it is too hot out here. I'm going inside," she removed his arms and stepped back, his steel eyes never leaving her stare as she slowly turned and began walking to the house. "If you want to join me - that's up to you."

A knowing smirk graced her features as Isla strode across the short yard, her hips swaying widely with each step. It was only seconds before Draco was running up behind her, his groping hands sliding across her stomach as his toned chest pressed against her back and his lips nipped at her neck.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Draco roughly stated, his voice husky with arousal as they pushed through the side door, cool air rushing around them as Isla turned in his arms.

The rest of the night was a blur, a tangle of naked limbs and sweating torsos as Draco and Isla showed each other just how much they loved one another. Silk sheets light against her bare skin, she nestled closer to him when exhaustion won out and they had laid down for sleep. His arm was possessively thrown around her waist and Isla haltingly stared as his grey eyes fluttered beneath translucent lids and his breaths puffed short from his aristocratic nose. The moonlight spilled through the open window and illuminated his fair skin, almost glittering in the faint light as he slept soundly. Her left hand deftly slid up their bodies to lightly trace the line of Draco's cheekbone, her amazement at his love bestowed upon her showing through. He was her angel, the universe's gift to her for her to cherish. Thumb grazing the plumpness of his lips, Isla rested her head against the soft pillow, eyes fluttering shut with a content smile framing her features as she joined her love in the land of dreams.

Without opening her eyes Isla felt for the warm body next to her, hand stumbling cross the soft distance until her finger tips reached a naked, solid mass. Smiling easily as she rolled her body closer, she inhaled slowly, her thoughts rolling over the many things she remembered Draco doing to her the night before, she could almost still feel his hands on her body. Fingers swiftly moving up his spine she was itching to grasp his blonde locks to turn his face towards her. But when her hand kept going up - and up - her eyebrows drew together and her eyelids slid open just as her fingers felt the short, thick locks of Thom. His darker skin was freckled and toned to perfection but completely wrong as the reality of the years and events that had transpired shattered her dreamlike memory. The untimely beating of her anxious heart suddenly plummeted, a gaping hole encompassing the wretched organ as Isla heaved a loud exhaling sigh, her hand pulling back and her eyes squeezing shut to hold back the tears that threatened to spill for her aching decisions and Draco's horrid choices.

She had kept Isabella hidden from her real father for many years but now that he had seen her, Isla was sure that Draco would do whatever it would take to find a place in her life. Somehow it did not comfort her to know that the man who had torn her heart and broken her true love fantasies would be returning to the picture. But - Isla too realized that she would still do anything to give into her desires to see that horribly handsome blonde wizard once more. And for their daughter, she would go to hell and back with him.

.

A/N:

Not sure when Chapter One will be ready. Find me one facebook and I'll keep you posted.