Hola! Hello, readers. This is the story I promised on my profile. I hope you like this as much as I do because I honestly love writing this story. It has this certain spark that just makes me laugh and fall in love at the same time. I wish you feel the same about it! Please don't forget to review. :-)

And P.S. I don't have a beta so it probably has a few or more mistakes idk. Anyways, enjoy! :)

WARNING: LEMON SCENE DOWN BELOW (i think there should be a warning for this bc some people might not like it for my lack of experience lol wtf but anyways it might seem incredulous but its probably just gonna be the way it is. ive never written a scene like it before so pardon me)

Thursday | May 23, 2001

Actual fairy lights floated in the night air as well as charmed glass serving trays with glasses of champagne on it rounded the area. The rectangular tables covered with grey sheets had the white ceramic plates and wine glasses, a few candles, and the white bouquet of flowers – mostly consisted of roses and a few twigs showing on the top – as a centerpiece. Cherry wood chairs were placed on both long sides of the table and seated no more than eight guests.

Hermione couldn't believe how many people arrived at the wedding. There was no doubt that the-boy-who-lived would get no less than two hundred guests at his nuptial but a little more than a thousand? That number was certainly overwhelming for someone who was to give a speech to the newly-wed couple as the maid of honor. Hermione pulled out the short speech she prepared for the event and read over it a few times. She felt anxious that she might screw up her two best friends' wedding!

Hermione stood up to straighten non-existent creases on her long ash grey chiffon backless dress. The illusion neckline showed the slightly tan décolletage from the vacation she had with Ginny a few weeks ago. The light-weight sheer fabric and the silk underneath ran down to her high-heeled clad feet. She wore a pair of gladiator-styled wedges that she had just bought a few days ago for the event.

The young witch walked from the table where she sat with Ron – the best man – and the newly-weds to the designated area where she's supposed to give her toast. Everyone talked over everyone. It took a minute before anyone noticed her standing in the corner. Arthur Weasley took it upon himself to get everyone's attention. A floating serving tray was approaching with several glasses of champagne. Hermione took ahold of one and started the speech.

"Err… Hello, my name is Hermione Granger. Mostly known as one third of the Golden Trio but tonight, I'm only the know-it-all friend of those two over there." A few chuckled at her statement, "I've been with these two for a long time. I saw their relationship grow from just an eleven-year old girl crush," Hermione looked down at Ginny – who turned as red as her dress at the acknowledgement. "To this. I don't think I could ever think of any person in this planet who deserves happiness as much as these two. They've been through a lot and will go through a lot more but I have faith that they will continue to surpass them all. Harry, I know you will love and take care of Ginny. If you ever do hurt her – so Merlin, help me I will be the one to give you a scar on the left side of your forehead. I raise a toast to Harry and Ginny, cheers!"

Everyone raised their glass and took a drink afterwards. Hermione walked back to the newly-weds and gave them both a hug before excusing herself to the bathroom. The brunette walked into the Burrow's kitchen – the wedding was held at their prized garden/backyard. Molly Weasley took pride in the magnificent florals she had planted in their yard. Most of them were magical plants but muggle plants were also in the mix – a suggestion by Hermione's mother, who was also quite the gardener.

Hermione walked inside the house to the kitchen and sat on one of the chairs. She felt agoraphobic outside in the garden with all those people who couldn't keep their eyes off the table she shared with the groom and bride – not that she was who they were looking at. Two of her best friends were finally married. She sighed in relief.

Hermione had been the person Ginny and Harry had ran to when they had a lover's spat or simply when they had a problem. Harry, as well as Ginny, had assured her that she gave the best advice – Hermione didn't think so. How ironic was it for the person who was not in a relationship to give advice? Giving out advices but not following them yourself is a bit stupid but then she didn't really have any reason to follow them.

"'Mione, what are you doing here?" A voice asked from behind her. Hermione twisted in a way and saw an approaching Ron.

Ron stopped beside her and looked at her with concern. The young witch gave her friend a smile, "Just resting. I can't really stand that many people looking at me nowadays."

After the war, many people were astonished by their victory. They followed the Golden Trio everywhere, trying to get the latest scoops on what's going on, who's been dating who, and what they are going to do with their lives. They all loved the attention at first but Hermione's need to be in the limelight fainted.

"Is everything alright?" Ron took a seat on the chair beside Hermione.

Hermione said, "Yes, everything is fine, Ron."

Ron and Harry had the most fun in the center stage. Girls just kept on coming and coming at the heroes' feet. However, Hermione's heroine attributes intimidated most guys and it made it hard for her to date. Two months after the second wizarding war, Hermione and Ron had broken it off. The two of them didn't feel what they were supposed to feel anymore. They both lost interest and decided it would be best to date other people. The most awaited wedding of the century – after Harry and Ginny's, of course – didn't come true.

Many people came up with some very interesting conspiracy theory as to what happened to the couple. A few of them took Hermione's side and said that Ron felt incompetent and intimidated by the Gryffindor Princess that's why he left her. But most thought it was Hermione's doing, thanks to Rita Skeeter.

"Ron, you should go back out there, your date must be waiting for you. What was her name again? Was it Andrea? Or Alissa? Something with an A, I'm sure."

After Hermione exposed Skeeter during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, the people still loved her fraud writing on the Witch Weekly as it made things much more interesting than it was supposed to be. Apparently, Skeeter had wrote Hermione to have cheated on Ron with no more than a dozen of men. Some wizards thought this was a funny joke and admitted to having slept with the war heroine. It was a ridiculous story that made Hermione laugh but burst into some kind of monster after a few more times of reading it. Ron had stepped in the situation to clear that they both thought it would be for the best. It might've cleared things up with a few people but there were still a lot that believed what the recent-illegal-but-not-anymore animagus chit had made up.

Ron gave her a half-smile and shook his head. His gaze went to the back door, "Alison Teague." He answered simply, "Alright but I need to see you outside in a few alright? I don't want you here skulking in the kitchen. Go out there, have fun with us."

Hermione nodded at the wizard in front of her. His smile didn't falter as she watched him go out the back door. Right, Alison Teague. She plays for the Holyhead Harpies as one of their Beaters. It was through Ginny that her brother met her. Ginny brought her once to dinner and then it just happened. Hermione didn't feel jealous or bitter or anything. She felt immensely happy for her best friend.

She was left to her thoughts until someone opened the door again. Hermione sighed, "Ron, it only has been three minutes. I'm fine." Hermione turned to see who it was, "M-Malfoy."

"Hello, Granger." Hermione looked him up and down. He wore a nicely tailored navy-blue robes. It made him look sharper in a sense. Hermione thought the color looked marvelous on him. That thought made her nervous. "Nice speech, you gave there."

Hermione turned her back on him and faced the wooden table again, "Err, thanks." She whisked her head back to see him, "What are you doing here?"

"Felt a little claustrophobic sitting with all those people."

Hermione couldn't help but agree. There were, indeed, too many people. "Harry didn't tell me you were invited."

"How nice of him." Draco looked around the messy kitchen with the mismatched furniture and thought how they lived with that – right, they're the Weasleys. Nothing wrong with it but Draco just couldn't take it. His gaze fell upon the long table that could easily fit a little more than eight people with mismatched chairs. He's always believed that everything should be in proper order. If he ever marries, he would not want a wife that is a huge slob or who believes that things should look all damn crazy. Draco moved to the side of the door and leaned on it while keeping his gaze forward, avoiding to look at the brunette.

There was an uncomfortable silence that they both didn't mean to create. After the events of the past few weeks, they knew this was going to happen. Hermione broke the silence, "How've you been?"

"Doing fine. Are you?" His gaze fell upon the witch who's been haunting his dreams. Hell, she looked bloody tired, Draco thought. She sat sideways on the chair with her cheek resting on her arm that was draped over the top of the back support.

"Alright, I suppose. Been a few lonely weeks, don't you think?" It was unusual for her to voice out her feelings and when she did, she felt… the same. Hermione had been jobless for the last two weeks. She had left her over-paying job that had so many good benefits for a specific reason.

Draco shrugged at her cheerless statement, "Yes, I think. You've been gone for quite a long time."

Hermione chuckled, "Stop exaggerating, Draco." Her head whisked to the back door and heard a few cheers from the outside. "I've only been gone for two weeks."

The blonde wizard looked away from her when he heard her say his name. He ran his hand through his hair. He could swear it felt longer than that. Draco stood right and was preparing to walk back out the room. He didn't know if he could take the heaviness in the air any longer. Draco felt suffocated by her unusual silence. She was quite the talker if he remembered right after two weeks since she resigned. Draco turned on his heel, "Right. It was nice seeing-

Hermione stood from her chair and was about to reach for his wrist but thought it would be too much. "No! Stay, please." Draco turned around to look at the brunette. Her gaze bore into him like lasers. Hermione's eyes look so intense, he feared they would leave a scar. He looked at the beauty in front of him asking him to not leave. It could've been how he looked if he let his feelings take power of his being when she resigned. But he didn't, Draco remembered how stoic he looked and thought that he might've broke her heart for not stopping her. Looking intently at her face, her features brightened up as if she remembered something. "I have something of yours. Come on, follow me."

Hermione walked past him and halted when she realized he wasn't following her footsteps. Her hand moved in a way of telling him to follow. She continued walking to the staircase. Hermione walked up the staircase that creaked with every step she took. She was so used to it after all the time she's spent in the Weasley's family home.

The creaking staircase scared Draco in the least. He thought it was going to fall apart when he set foot on it – he wasn't fat or anything but he thought it was faulty. He almost sighed in relief when he reached the landing but Hermione didn't stop until they reached the fifth floor. Draco thought the whole place was going to collapse and it will take him and the young brunette down with it while everybody outside watch them fall to their sudden deaths.

Hermione walked towards a battered door that had a broken copper doorknob. She twisted the doorknob and entered the room. Wind blew and almost shut the door. Draco looked at the doorknob and knew better than to touch it. He used his foot to open the door with little to no force at all. Draco entered a room painted in a cringe-y shade of bright orange. The walls were decorated with posters of Chudley Canons. Draco figured it was the Weasel's bedroom. He knew by the looks of the room and how messy it was. Clothes and a few Quidditch players that were missing a limb or two littered the wooden floor.

When the young brunette entered Ron's room, she was immediately drawn to the single hung window looking out the backyard. Hermione watched as Harry and Ginny danced to one of the songs performed by the Weird Sisters. The band had volunteered for the event. They thought that the event would do good for their publicity and it would certainly be an honor to play at the wedding of the-boy-who-lived.

The young witch stifled a laugh when she saw Harry try and spin Ginny. His moves still haven't improved since the Yule Ball, Hermione thought. Ginny had told Hermione that Harry was trying to get better by hiring someone to give him lessons. Hermione thought it was incredibly sweet and a nice effort.

Hermione was pulled back into reality when she realized Draco was in the room with her. She muttered an apology and went to the foot of Ron's bed. As she went through her bag, a cold voice seared through her. "You're staying in here? With Weasel?"

Draco felt furious at the thought. Why would she stay with him? Didn't they break up right after the war? Or did they get back together after she resigned? Was that the reason she left? Those kinds of thoughts flooded Draco's brain. He was filled with jealousy when he saw her belongings in the idiot's room.

Hermione whisked her head towards the blonde, who might've turned into green with envy. She thought he was going to explode. She felt sudden joy at the looks of him. "No, silly. My things got moved up here from Ginny's bedroom when they were getting her ready this morning. And besides, Ron has a sort-of girlfriend if you didn't know. I think her name was Alison List? No, I don't think so. But it doesn't matter, really."

"Oh," Draco felt his cheeks heat up in the dark room. The brunette went back to going through her things and sighed when she didn't find what she was looking for.

"It's not here. Maybe I left it in Ginny's room. I don't know." Hermione turned to see the blonde wizard listening intently. "Will you come with me?"

Draco couldn't help but just nod at the witch. They went downstairs to Ginny's room. He couldn't help but notice a large poster of the band that was just playing outside. Draco thought it must've been a dream come true for her. There was also a photo of Gwenog Jones, the captain of the Holyhead Harpies. Opposing the window looking out of the garden was a twin-sized bed.

Beside the bed was a table that had a photo of Hermione with her friends. Hermione and the youngest of the Weasleys were in the middle while Harry and Ron were on the other side. They all laughed at something briefly and smiled widely. Adjacent to the Weaslette's bed was a makeshift bed where Hermione slept. The sheets were properly made, as he assumed.

The very second Hermione entered the room she shared with her friend, she went straight to her bag and looked through it. It took her a few minutes but she found it. Hermione turned around to see Draco looking around the small room. He must be comparing this to one of their walk-in closets in the manor, Hermione thought.

Hermione took a seat on her make-shift bed and nudged Draco. He looked at her and saw her patting the area next to her. He thought it would be a bad decision to be in such proximity with her. He might not be able to resist to doing something stupid if she was so very close… but he still did it. The young witch beside him spoke with uncertainness in her voice, "Draco? Would you… Do you want to go outside or spend the rest of the time here with me and drink?" Hermione groaned at her wording. It didn't sound right, she had to correct it. "I mean, I know that you will just stay out there for a few more minutes and have a few more drinks then leave. I don't know, only if you want."

He simply muttered an ok and pushed himself on to the bed more so that his back will be against the wall. Hermione did the same but withdrew herself immediately when she forgot something. "Hold on, I'll go get some liquor-

"Granger, no. Come back here," Hermione obliged. "Pinky!"

As Draco called the house-elf's name out, she appeared immediately. Hermione was about to object at him for giving the house-elf an order she could do herself. "Pinky is here, Master Draco and Miss Granger."

"Will you get us a bottle of firewhiskey," Pinky disappeared at the command with a nod and reappeared a few moments later, "Thank you. You are dismissed."

The house elf disappeared with a crack as Draco twisted the bottle's cap. He tossed the cap on the floor and held the bottle out for Hermione to grab. Hermione took the bottle without reluctance and brought the opening to her mouth. She took a long swig and handed it to Draco who did the same. Hermione blurted out, "You know, you look absolutely handsome tonight."

Hermione felt utterly stupid after saying that. She wanted to slap herself hard and loud. A blush crept to her cheeks as she continued to look away from the handsome bloke beside her.

Draco turned his head to look at the witch. A smirk snaked its way up to his lips. "Why, thank you, Granger. You don't look bad yourself."

With that, Hermione's blush intensified. Her face turned redder, if it was possible. Instead of saying anything, she simply took the bottle of firewhiskey from Draco and chugged a quarter of it. She thought it would be better to just drink than to embarrass herself further. Little did she know; the liquor would only humiliate her to a greater extent.

As the liquor hit her, she had confessed something she wouldn't have if she were sober. She felt drowsy and thought her eyes were going to shut on her. Hermione looked at the man next to her with a sincere smile, "I missed this, Draco… I missed you." Her eyes appeared cheerless. The usual twinkle didn't make an appearance.

Draco felt the effects of the liquor coming in as well as Hermione. "I do too, Hermione." It had only been two weeks but it felt like forever to the two of them. He took a good look at the witch beside him. The back of her head pressed onto the wall while her legs slumped onto the makeshift bed. Her feet dangled on the edge. He was about to say something when Hermione stood up abruptly. Draco stretched out his arm because he thought she was going to fall.

"No, no… I'm alright, Draco. Thank you," Hermione smiled at the Malfoy heir. The music outside had changed into a song she knew from when she was young. The song was called Let's Stay Together by an American singer called Al Green. It was one of her favorites because her parents played it at their home in Hampstead all the time. She shut her eyes and put her hands in the air with a smile on her face. She rested her hands on her tamed curls, "Gods, I love this song!"

I'm, I'm so in love with you
Whatever you want to do is all right with me
'Cause you make me feel so brand new
And I want to spend my life with you

And me sayin' since, baby, since we've been together
Ooh, loving you forever is what I need
Let me be the one you come running to
I'll never be untrue, ooh baby

Draco looked at the beautiful woman in front of him. The moonlight shone on her, it illuminated her features. He looked at her in pure awe. She could be easily mistaken as a goddess or a nymph. The genuine smile on her face as she listened to the muggle song was priceless. If he could be entitled into seeing it every day, he would spend every bit of his money on her. Hermione was just that worth it.

Hermione walked towards Draco and took his hand. She pulled him up from the bed and put one of his hands on her waist while she put hers on his shoulder. Hermione took ahold of the other and intertwined it with one of hers. The two of them started moving in the very crowded room. He suddenly felt his stomach cave in at the look of her face. He suddenly couldn't breathe.

Let's, let's stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad

Ooh, yeah
Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad

Why somebody, why people break up
Oh, then turn around and make up, I just can't see
You'd never do that to me, would you baby?
Staying around you is all I see, here's what I want us to do

They would miss a few steps and would stumble but that didn't erase the look on her gorgeous face. Draco couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Her eyes suddenly showed the twinkle that was missing before and it just sucked Draco in. Draco let go of her hand and both of his hands on her waist as he pulled her closer. She chuckled at his action but didn't do anything to tell him she doesn't like it. She put her arms on his shoulders in return.

She looked of innocence, Draco thought. She looked so perfect in a way that made his heart overwhelm with happiness. His heart raced with every step they took. It was getting louder and louder by the minute – hell, by the second. It was the purest moment he had ever felt. He felt complete.

Let's, we oughta stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad, come on

Let's, let's stay together
Loving you whether, whether

A few seconds passed after the song ended and their heads slowly inched towards each other. Draco felt this magnetic pull that was coming from Hermione. He didn't know what to think of it. Draco felt completely vulnerable and he didn't like it. He dodged Hermione's lips to attack her neck. It was an utterly stupid act.

He felt like a coward. Draco knew that if he went for her plump lips that it would just confirm his undeniable feelings for her. It was a dangerous move. He felt scared to go for it. Succumbing to those luscious lips will just suck him in further. He thought it was the same with a Dementor's Kiss but with the opposite effect. Instead of all the happiness inside him vanishing, he would be filled with it and Draco didn't think he deserved to be happy for all the horrible things he's done in the past.

Hermione had smelled of … cherry blossoms. It was intoxicating. It was Hermione's favorite perfume. The scent of her perfume had mixed with the firewhiskey they had shared earlier. She had worn the same smell from when they started seeing each other under these circumstances up to now. Cherry blossoms will always be a reminder of her.

Draco continued on trailing down from the nape of her neck to her collarbone with kisses. As he sucked on the flesh of her neck, she groaned in pleasure. He stopped to look at the expression on her face. Draco looked at her as if she was the most beautiful thing to ever walked the face of the Earth. He felt rays of warmth emit from her. He would've compared it to being outside on a cloudy day where the sun would come out from its hiding spot and back again but this wasn't like it. It was never ending, good warmth.

Hermione motioned for him to take off his robes. Draco's hands roamed the curves and edges of her body. He wanted to curse the dress earlier at the ceremony and the reception for not giving the beautiful contours of her body. But when he saw her walk down the aisle before the bride, he was astonished. Draco didn't know who else could look so good in grey. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

When Hermione had stood up from their table to start her speech, she thought nobody paid attention until Arthur called it. The moment she stood up, his eyes never left her. She looked nervous and incredibly beautiful even when she was fidgeting.

After Draco had loosened his tie, he turned her around while still showering both sides of her neck soft kisses. He unzipped her dress and told her to take off her dress. Hermione shrugged off the top of the dress revealing the nude brassiere underneath. She stepped out of the dress and turned around to face him.

Draco looked at her in all of her glory. She looked marvelous in the nude undergarments. She looked amazing in anything, even in nothing. Draco's hands roamed her body and stopped on her bottom. Hermione grasped the top of his trousers and unbuttoned it as he gave her a squeeze. Draco held one of her hands and brought her to the bed. Hermione patiently sat as Draco unbuckled his belt and stepped out of his trousers.

Hermione held out her arms for him to grab. She pulled him close with a smile on her face. Bloody hell, she's so beautiful. Draco kissed her forehead and he put one of his legs in between her own. They looked at each other's eyes as their hands moved as if they had a mind of their own. Draco's hands cupped her breasts in one swift move and massaged them softly. In return, Hermione let out a breathy moan.

His hands moved to her back to unclasp the brassiere. Hermione gladly removed it completely. Draco cupped the left breast as he knelt on the wooden floor to wrap his lips around the other. She used her arms for support as her want overwhelmed her senses. Hermione's back arched as he left open mouth kisses around her right nipple.

Draco attacked the other peak after he'd done justice to the right one. She spoke his name as he wrapped his mouth around her taut nipple. He stopped after a few gasps were released from her plump lips. Draco looked at the topless woman in front of him. Her head was facing the ceiling with her mouth slightly agape. Her gaze towards the ceiling through lidded eyes.

He took ahold of her breasts once more and as always, they fit perfectly in his palms. The soft skin of her peaks opposed his rough palms. Her breasts were the perfect size – not too small or too big. Draco had always loved them.

He motioned for Hermione to lay on her back on the make-shift bed and she obliged. Draco moved to the other end of the mattress and put one of his legs in between her slightly open legs as before. Draco held himself above her. He looked at her beauty before going for her ear. He nibbled at the lobe and whispered, "You're so beautiful."

One of his arms stayed as his support while the other roamed up and down her naked torso. With each up and down, his arm went lower than her flat stomach. Hermione craned her neck to the side as he showered her with more soft kisses.

He was a master of soft kisses. They were the kind that intoxicated you after the first touch. They are the ones that would make you want more after the first. As much as she wanted them, she knew they were incredibly dangerous. The more she got, the need intensifies.

As Draco reached the band of her knickers, he looked at her with something Hermione didn't recognize. He's never been like this throughout their affair that lasted three damn years. The usual cockiness in his eyes didn't show. He looked of pleading along with something worse… longing.

His hand brought her knickers down and gently slip a finger inside of her. Hermione's hips rolled with the rhythm he's set for the two of them. His long, pale fingers touching her inside with his thumb flicking the rose bud just above her entrance. As he teased her clit, her moans were getting rampant. It wasn't long when she felt the usual tightening she makes when she's about to come.

As Hermione tried to catch her breath, he removed his boxers with ease and held his shaft in one hand. Draco looked at Hermione for her approval before entering her. She nodded at him as he pushed himself in. Draco gasped at the feel of Hermione's insides. She was snug around his length as she had been when they had first started this … business. No, it wasn't business. It was simply a thing.

She adjusted to his girth quite fast despite his size and wanted more, "Draco… please."

Draco obliged quickly to what Hermione had wanted. After two long weeks, they were finally in each other's arms but he knew this wouldn't last long. This 'thing' that they have is only temporary and that thought just killed him.

Gasps and moans erupted from their mouths. Her sounds of pleasure were like music to his ears. It was something he could play over and over in his head. He felt complete while inside her. It was a feeling he would never trade for galleons or anything at all.

The moment Draco had entered her for the first time, she felt like as if she was in heaven. He fitted like a glove inside her. On her not-so-very-long-list of lovers, no one has ever filled her like he always does. Whenever he's inside her, she feels content.

The loud noise coming from the party outside concealed their sounds of pleasure. With every thrust, reality kicked in. She was leaving him…

Song incorporated in the story: Let's Stay Together - Al Green

Music Inspiration for this Chapter: Love You Goodbye - One Direction

"Hey, hey, hey
Oh, why you wearing that to walk out of my life?
Hey, hey, hey
Oh, even though it's over you should stay tonight
Hey, hey, hey
If tomorrow you won't be mine
Won't you give it to me one last time?
Oh, baby, let me love you goodbye"

I AM A HUGE DIRECTIONER EVEN THO THEIR IN HIATUS I STILL LOVE THEM.

All the love A.