A/N: Hi, ya'll! New fic! Aren't you excited?? Lol. This is, I guess, in
honor of the completion of MPES... which, if I do say so myself, was a
GREAT fic. Lol, okay, maybe not GREAT... but better than Flames :oD This
chapter was formerly titled 'Little Pictures Have Big Ears' (when it made
its first appearance in FLYT) which basically means children hear more than
you give him credit for... but I shortened it. I shortened the title of the
fic too... Postage Stamps? Little Pictures? Lol... iRONic... hm... This
first chapter is basically a prologue. Enjoy.
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER ONE: Little Pictures
Hermione Granger stepped out of the yellow London taxicab just outside her vast home and sighed blissfully as her eyes grazed over it. She hadn't been back in almost a year... there was the Hogwarts term, then Christmas spent at school, and the first portion of summer with the Weasley's. She enjoyed visiting the burrow, but it was nothing like home.
As the cab pulled away, Hermione decided she'd had enough reminiscing and picked up the small bag she had brought with her. It wasn't much, but shrinking spells worked wonders when wanting to travel light. Although it was summer, it was the summer after seventh year, which meant free use of her wand and potion making abilities. Life had never been so good.
Hermione walked up to the tall, white, crosshatched wooden gate and fumbled in her purse for the key. She felt a wave of slight panic wash over her as she discovered that the little metal wonder was missing. Out in the open using a wand was looked down upon, but it seemed her only choice. That is, unless by some miracle, her parents had left the gate unlocked...
Hermione closed her eyes and turned the handle, surprised when it spun easily under her hand. She let out a short sigh of relief, not bothering to wonder exactly why the gate was unlocked, and passed quickly through and down the damp path to the front door. It'd been raining all day, but she was lucky enough to manage a window of sprinkle with which to return home. With a wide smile, Hermione reached for the doorknob, only to see it turn before she could touch it. She looked up, startled, to see the tall, blonde, and looming figure of Lucius Malfoy.
"Granger," he acknowledged her, and Hermione's breath caught in her throat. All at once, the shock subsided and a smile graced her lips.
"Uncle Lucius!" she shrieked, dropping her bag on the sidewalk and throwing her arms around him. Lucius laughed, hugging and spinning her around before gently placing her back on the ground.
"I'm not your damn uncle, child," he said, but a playful smirk stayed planted on his face.
"Would you rather she call you Aunt Lucy, like her mother?" said another voice and Hermione looked behind her surprise house guest to a thin blonde woman who held a tight smile on her lips and her hands clasped at her protruding midsection.
"Only for cover, and only in letters, Narcissa." Hermione squealed and ran to Narcissa, ignoring the eye roll given from Lucius.
"Cissa!" she called, embracing the woman as she had her husband, then backed up a bit, eyes wide. "Look at you," Hermione said in awe, eyes on the new mother's stomach. Narcissa raised an eyebrow, glancing at Lucius.
"You sound surprised," Narcissa said, still smiling, and Hermione looked up.
"Well... yeah!" she exclaimed as if it were obvious. Narcissa looked a tad confused.
"Draco didn't tell you?" Hermione crossed her arms at the thought of the Slytherin.
"No, Draco didn't tell me! Is he here? I'm aiming to give him a good kick in the pants..." Both adults laughed.
"No," Lucius said. "We didn't wake him up... and it's only eleven, so I'm betting on three hours before he has enough sense to remember that you're coming home today," he said, stepping up to Narcissa and placing a hand on her back. She smiled up at him. Hermione sighed.
"He can wait. When are you due, Cissa?" she asked, bending to place her ear against the woman's protuberance.
"About a month," she stated softly with a warm smile.
"Wow... do you know what it is yet?" Hermione asked, looking back up. Narcissa shook her head.
"But my money's on a boy," she said and Hermione laughed.
"Wouldn't we all be surprised?"
"As intriguing as this conversation may be, ladies... don't you even want to know why we're here, Hermione?" Lucius interrupted and she shrugged a shoulder.
"I figured I'd find out at some point or another." He smirked.
"Your parents decided to stay a few days more on vacation, love. We're your messenger pigeons," Narcissa said and Hermione smiled.
"You didn't have to come all the way here to tell me that... and you shouldn't be doing much of anything, Cissa." Lucius pointed to Hermione, but looked at his wife, who rolled her eyes.
"See?" he exclaimed, then turned to Hermione. "That's exactly what I said... be damned if anyone listen to me..." Narcissa sighed.
"You live just down the street, Hermione... not the next town. And stop swearing, Lucius; the baby will hear you." Hermione giggled softly, but Lucius closed his mouth. "That's better."
"Are you going home now? Can I come?" Hermione asked, looking pleadingly at the two people in front of her. Narcissa and her husband shared a look, then Lucius straightened, looking down his pointed nose at her.
"Hermione Granger, I have never and will never allow you to breech the threshold of my doorstep," he said quite coldly and Hermione frowned, looking toward the ground.
"I understand, sir," she said sadly, staring at her shoes. Lucius simply gazed calmly at her and Narcissa shook her head, hand running over the swell at her middle. It wasn't ten seconds before Hermione started to giggle. A smirk appeared on Lucius face as she looked up.
"Sometimes I think your mother exaggerates your intellect, Hermione. Of course you can come... but I'm afraid I have a few errands to run for your parents, so it'll just be you girls." Narcissa frowned slightly.
"I think I'll stay with you, Lucius. Hermione, you know the way by now, I'm sure." Hermione grinned.
"Of course," she said and pecked them each on the cheek before heading for the door. She was out only a moment before she reentered, dropping her bag on the floor and coming back to Narcissa, placing a gentle kiss on her swelling for the baby. She waved before skipping through the door once again.
~o-o-o-o-o~
Hermione, upon reaching the grand doors of Malfoy Manor, slowly opened them and stepped through. She started toward the staircase, but another blonde stopped her.
"Hermione?" she grinned and spun around.
"Hi Lucifer," she said softly to the man almost five years older than she. He stepped forward and gave her a hug.
"How's my little sis?" Hermione laughed and kissed his cheek.
"Not quite yet, Lucy. Where's Draco, I need to speak with him about something..." Lucifer smirked that hereditary Malfoy smirk and Hermione silently found herself hoping it made it into the next generation.
"I'll give you one guess..." he whispered into her ear and she giggled, spinning around and bolting toward the stairs. "And don't call me Lucy!" Lucifer called after her, although he was still smiling. Hermione ran up the stairs, then turned right, left, and right again, until she came to a very familiar black door with a gold 'D' pressed into the wood. She paused briefly to catch her breath, then quietly pushed the slab open, sneaking inside.
Hermione stood by the entrance, smirking as she found what she was looking for. On a silent count of three, she ran to the king size four-poster and leaped onto it, scaring the life out of its occupant.
"Wakey, wakey, Drakey," she called out as she bounced, and Draco Malfoy bolted upright, head finally permeating the covers. Once sure he was awake, Hermione plopped down, bouncing one last time before the mattress settled beneath her. She contented herself with watching a shirtless and messy haired Draco blink his eyes into focus. When he saw her, he pulled the covers back over his head.
"Gah, Hermione! You can't just barge in on a person like that! What if I'm not descent?" Hermione laughed.
"I can do whatever the hell I want to you, my dear, and if you slept naked for seven years in Slytherin, I fear for you." Again, Draco folded the covers down.
"Good point." Hermione gave a nod. "But I'm still wearing less than I'd like you to see." She laughed.
"Oh, please, Draco...I HAVE seen you in trunks before, haven't I? And I'll be seeing a bit more than your fish belly in a few months..." Ignoring her crude remark, Draco lifted the sheets and looked to his stomach.
"I do not have a fish belly... summer's barely started," he pouted, and Hermione laughed, pulling the covers all the way off and exposing his scantily clad and cotton white body. She smirked at his slight... almost invisible blush. She knew it was there. She'd known him long enough to know that.
"Don't lie to me Draco. How long have we known each other? Seventeen years? You are one large and permanent fish belly." He sighed, pushing himself up on his elbows.
"I bet you are too," he said a bit bitterly, and Hermione smirked, climbing onto her knees and lifting her thin black t-shirt to just below her breasts, displaying a perfect tan from the top of her ribs to the hem of her low cut jean cut-offs. Draco swallowed slightly. "Or not." Hermione rolled her eyes and dropped her shirt back down, pushing his shoulder.
"What is it with you?" Draco shook his head, sitting up and sliding back against the headboard.
"What are you doing here, anyway, Hermione? I thought you weren't supposed to come back for a few more days," Draco said, raising an eyebrow, but Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly at him.
"Don't change the subject, Draco. You knew perfectly well when I was coming back. I sent you three letters," she said.
"I didn't get them," he insisted and Hermione perked an eyebrow.
"Oh really?" she asked, keeping her eyes on his face, and Draco's gaze flicked quickly to the pillow beside him before he agreed.
"Really. Didn't use the Weasley bird, did you? It's not surprising, then..." Hermione waited only a moment before diving for the pillow. Despite Draco's attempts to stop her, she found the packet of letters, neatly tied with the red ribbon she recognized from her Christmas present to him. "Hey, give me those!" he demanded, holding her to him with one arm as he easily reached the other out and extracted the letter packet from her thin fingers. Hermione smirked, leaning against him slightly, and Draco pulled back, placing the letters under the other pillow, which he was much more able to protect. Hermione frowned a bit and sat up again.
"Come on, Draco... talk to me," she pleaded, moving close, and Draco tensed a bit. She tried to sigh, but it caught in the middle. He'd never been like this before. They'd grown up together, they'd mud wrestled, and camped outside, and learned to fly at the same time... they'd always been close. She'd give anything to know what was different. "Fine, you don't want me near you... I won't be near you," she said, sounding a tad hurt, and started to get off the bed. Draco made quick to catch her arm.
"Don't go off all mad at me," he pleaded and Hermione stopped, but didn't turn back to him. "Look, I just... well..." She slowly turned her head, waiting for a response. "This is getting too real for me." The scowl on Hermione's face dropped and her eyes softened. Draco didn't let go of her arm. "It was easy when we were younger... it was like a game, but, now... I love you, Hermione...you're my best friend... but we're getting MARRIED in five months. There's no changing it, it's going to happen... I just don't know if I'm ready." Hermione sighed.
"Well if that's all," she said, swinging her legs back up onto the bed and turning around. Draco looked surprised. "What, you think I haven't been thinking the same thing? But we agreed to this a long time ago..."
"Ha," he interrupted with a scowl. "How fair is it to ask two five-year-old best friends if they wanted to get married when they turned eighteen?" Hermione sighed.
"It's rather ingenious if you think about it. They wanted to betroth us, but we were two old, so they asked permission, knowing we'd say yes. Well, I said yes. I doubt you were paying attention." Draco frowned, looking down at the thin white sheets. Hermione sighed. "Draco, it's not going to be that much different. We've been practically married for our entire lives, with the exception of school. You're like my shadow... the only difference is we'll actually live together, and you won't have to climb the trellis every night just to see me before bed." He smiled, turning to her.
"I guess you're right..."
"Of course I'm right."
"It's just... we're not kids anymore... it's going to be harder this way, you can't deny that." She sighed and nodded, but it was only a moment before Hermione snapped her head up, eyes narrowed.
"Speaking of kids..." Draco's face lost expression. He knew where this was going. "Why the HELL didn't you feel the need to inform me of my future little brother or sister-in-law, hm?" Draco sighed.
"Would you have gone to Ron's if I had?"
"Of course not, I'd have come... straight..." she trailed off and Draco nodded.
"Exactly." Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"So you did this to get rid of me? Well I love you too, Draco... bloody hell," she said, moving out of his grasp, and Draco smirked.
"Of course not; don't be dense. I did it so you could have a few more worry- free weeks with your friends before they find out about everything," he said and Hermione's scowl subsided.
"Oh..." she said softly, then looked up at him. "Thanks, then..." Draco lifted a gentle finger and lightly brushed her chin.
"You're welcome."
~o-o-o-o-o~
Hermione sighed, falling back on the plush carpet of Draco's vast room. He sat only about two feet away, now prim and dressed, minus hair gel, but plus a pair of thin wire-framed glasses. She turned her head to the side, watching silently as he read through 'The Muggle World for the Pureblooded Idiot'.
"Why do you bother to read that trash, Draco? It's totally pointless... I could tell you more about the muggle world and I AM a pureblooded idiot." Draco looked up, and a smirk crossed his face.
"No you're not, Hermione. You're a mudblooded genius," he said gently, as if it really was a compliment, but Hermione smiled rather than get upset.
"You've been calling me that for so long, it's almost like a term of endearment now," she said, and Draco shrugged.
"Who says it isn't?" Hermione smiled and sighed.
"Too bad I'm not one..." she said, turning back to look at the ceiling and pulling her knees from the floor. Draco smirked.
"Nobody needs to know that." Hermione smiled, but said nothing more for a few moments.
"Isn't it nice to finally be free of that god forsaken school?" she said quietly, almost to herself, and Draco looked up again, not at all annoyed that she kept interrupting him. As a matter of fact, this book was quite boring.
"Indeed it is. No more Snape... no more... Neville Longbottom... no curfew, no shared dorms, no 'no magic over the summer' rule..." he paused a moment, then set his book down, folded his glasses on top, and crawled over to her. Hermione closed her eyes, smiling. "But you know what the best part is?"
"Hm?" she asked, turning her face slightly, and Draco grinned, leaning down to whisper in her ear.
"We don't have to hide anymore," he said, then pulled back up, and Hermione opened her eyes, smiling at him.
"If you think about it, it was pointless that we ever did in the first place." Draco frowned slightly.
"It was to protect you from Voldemort, Hermione, you know that," he reminded her and she nodded.
"Yes... but I don't see how being friends with Harry is any safer than being friends with you..." Draco sighed.
"I'll admit you didn't choose the safest friends... but you were JUST his friend. If the Dark Lord found out that I was betrothed to the first female Boyce in Merlin knows how many centuries... he'd have you an inch from death before you could say Quidditch. Your family is by far the most powerful light side asset we've got... a Malfoy and a Boyce would be like... Hitler and Princess Diana." Hermione punched him, mouth open wide.
"How DARE you compare yourself and your family to that of Adolf Hitler, Draco?" she asked in mild outrage and he smirked.
"It's that damn book; it's got me feeling evil." Hermione sighed.
"I told you not to read it." Draco laughed softly, then paused a moment, studying her. She smiled warmly at him, a confused twinkle in her eye. Hermione had just opened her mouth to ask what was wrong when she was silenced by two something's she hadn't felt on hers since that day eleven years ago in Draco's tree house after they'd watched 'Love Story' with Narcissa and Hermione's mother, Madeline Boyce.
oOoOoOo
"H'mione..." Asked a nervous, seven year old Draco Malfoy as he set up an army of plastic soldiers... the magic kind, with wands that shot sparks. A brown haired girl with her hair in tiny braids, pulled back in a ponytail, looked up from her book with a grin.
"What?" she asked softly, and Draco turned to her.
"Are you going to fall asleep forever... like the girl in that movie...?" he asked in a desperately quiet voice and Hermione looked surprised. She marked her book and set it beside her on the tightly nailed wooden floor of the quaint little clubhouse designed just for them. She criss-crossed her legs and sat up a little straighter, pressing a hand to her stomach.
"I don't know..." This had evidently not been the answer Draco was looking for, as he immediately left his troops to occupy the side of his friend, as if afraid she'd die at any minute. She looked up at him as he moved to sit beside her. "How do I tell?" Draco, wanting to be the man... her shoulder to cry on... sat up straight and puffed out his chest as he made his statement.
"If you were... you would feel sleepy... do you feel sleepy?" Hermione turned her head back down, thinking hard.
"No... no, I don't think so..." she said, then paused a moment, before shifting to stand up. As she did, she gasped, placing her hands near the small of her back.
"What?" Draco asked frantically, scrambling to stand beside her. Hermione turned to him.
"Draco... my bum's asleep," she said, sounding fairly scared, and Draco's eyes widened. He nodded.
"That's a sure sign." Hermione placed her hands quickly over her mouth, stifling her shriek.
"What do we do?" she asked and, again, Draco tried to be proud and manly, as he always did when she needed his help.
"Well... Mum read this story to me once... there was this girl, who slept for a hundred years, and the only way she could wake up, was if her one true love kissed her." Hermione sighed and stamped her foot.
"Well where am I going to find one of those?" Draco was silent for a moment.
"Daddy says you're my one true love... maybe I'm yours too," he suggested and Hermione nodded.
"That makes sense... aw, but I don't wanna have ta wait a hundred years! That's a really long time, even for a witch..." she said, pouting and Draco came once again to her rescue.
"Well... it took the prince guy that long to find her... maybe, since I'm already here, if I kiss you now, you won't even have to go to sleep... all the way," he suggested, and Hermione bit her lip. "Come on, H'mione... I don't want you to have ta sleep forever... that would be really boring. It's worth a shot." She sighed and nodded.
"It's worth a shot." Hermione closed her eyes and puckered her lips, waiting for Draco to give their first kiss. After a few seconds of waiting, and no lip lock, she sighed and opened her eyes. Draco was looking quite terrified. "Oh, come on, Draco! It was your idea in the first place!" He swallowed and she closed her eyes again. "I'm feeling drowsy..." All at once, Draco connected his lips with hers, in a simple chaste kiss that ended within in three seconds. Hermione grinned. "Thanks, Drakey." Draco made a face.
"Ew... I'm never doing that again... I don't care how much you don't want to take a nap."
oOoOoOo
Hermione held her breath, applying light pressure to the lips atop hers. She couldn't think of anything except how comfortable this felt. Draco had been her best friend their entire lives... she'd imagined their first... or rather, second kiss would occur on their wedding day, and be extremely awkward... but this simply felt right. Draco slowly pulled back, letting a sweet breath onto Hermione's moist lips. She was silent for a moment before she opened her eyes. Draco was looking quite nervous and scared, making unending eye contact as he waited for her response. Hermione smirked.
"But Draco... I'm not even sleepy," she said softly and he laughed. "What was that for?" Draco shrugged slightly, his fear subsiding.
"Practice," he stated and leaned down for another round. Hermione, however, smirked once more and turned her head. Draco pulled back again, looking slightly confused.
"That's not fair; you can't just kiss me whenever you feel like it," she said and he perked an eyebrow.
"I can too; you're my fiancée, I can kiss you if I want to," he stated, lifting his nose in the air and Hermione laughed.
"Get over yourself." Draco looked down her, but his nose remained high above. "Alright, let's make a deal. You don't get to kiss me again until I see you naked," Hermione proclaimed and Draco's face contorted in disgust.
"Why would you want to?"
"I don't, particularly, but I gotta get something out of this, don't I?" she said. "Don't look so cheated; I still get to kiss you... and besides, we've got other things to practice..." Draco shook his head.
"You sappy women. And for the record, you've never kissed me." Hermione shrugged.
"First time for everything. Now, what about sappy?" Draco sighed.
"Alright, alright. Hermione Renee Boyce, do you take Draco Demetrius Malfoy as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?" Hermione pretended to think for a moment.
"You know, it's a sure sign of insanity to talk in third person." Draco rolled his eyes.
"Just answer the question H'mione, do you or don't you?"
"Do I have a choice?" Draco glared slightly. "Okay, okay, I do. Do you, Draco Demetrius Malfoy, take Hermione Renee Boyce to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Draco said quickly, then leaned down to seal the deal, but Hermione stuck to her word, placing a finger between his lips and hers.
"Must you be so urgent, Draco? You waited eleven years between the first and second kiss, I think you can wait a little longer than eleven seconds between the second and third." Draco sighed and rolled away, lying on his back beside her. Hermione turned to him slightly after a brief period of silence. "Draco, I need you to promise me something." He turned to her once more.
"What is it with you and promises all of a sudden?" Hermione smiled.
"Please?"
"What, then?"
"After we get married, we'll still be friends, right?" Draco smiled, but shook his head. Hermione frowned deeply, not quite understanding. That hadn't been the answer she was looking for.
"We'll be friends with benefits," he said, raising his eyebrows, and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"What's gotten you so sex driven all of a sudden?" Draco shrugged.
"Just the thought that I'm finally going to get to score, and it's going to be with the one person I love more than anything," he said, grinning, and Hermione smiled back.
"So poetic," she said softly and Draco smirked quite smugly, causing her to giggle.
~o-o-o-o-o~
"Draco, how do you think I'd look with corn-rows?" Hermione asked as she sat Indian style in front of the full-length mirror in the tree house, picking through her hair.
"Beautiful," Draco said absently, now reading a book a little more interesting than his previous.
"What if I dyed it black?"
"Beautiful." Hermione turned around, suspecting he wasn't paying attention.
"What if I got a tattoo on my forehead? How would I look then?"
"Beautiful."
"And if peeled off all my skin and used it to make an overcoat?"
"Beautiful." Hermione sighed.
"What if I played paintball in a white string bikini?" Draco looked up at this suggestion, raising an eyebrow.
"Extremely beautiful." Hermione smirked.
"So you were paying attention?" Draco gave a nod.
"Of course."
"So you think I should go for the skin thing?" she asked, turning back to the mirror and leaning close, examining her skin.
"Most definitely," he agreed, but then seemed to change his mind. "Actually, that's already been done once or twice. I'd vote on something more original... like paintball." Hermione rolled her eyes and spun around, crawling closer and sitting beside him before digging her hand into the bowl of Bertie Bott's with lay on the floor. She took a bite out of one, then made a face and pulled it back out of her mouth, shuddering. Draco smirked. "What was it?"
"I don't know..." Hermione said, then held it toward him, pinched between her thumb and forefinger. "Taste it." Without hesitation, Draco opened his mouth, accepting the morsel and chewing thoughtfully. He didn't even cringe.
"Hm... I think it's liver." Hermione shook herself again. "I do agree, quite detestable..." He paused a moment. "Look for another one," Draco said, fingering through the bowl, and Hermione shook her head, leaning against him slightly. Draco looked a bit surprised, but stopped his search, lifting his arm over her head and enclosing it around her shoulders. She sighed blissfully.
"Draco, what..." Hermione started, but a digital ring interrupted her. She looked up at Draco, and he lifted an eyebrow, reluctantly letting her go and scurrying toward the phone in the corner.
"First time that's ever happened," he mused to himself and Hermione shook her shoulders.
"I didn't even know you had a phone up here..."
"Hello?" Draco spoke into the receiver, a little surprise showing in his voice.
"Draco, oh good... Lucifer said you were in the tree-house."
"Dad? What happened?" Hermione straightened a bit at this question, looking a tad worried.
"Everything's fine, son... but I've taken your mother to the blasted muggle hospital... she insists she feels odd... but she's done this more times than I have, so I'm taking her word for it," Lucius said, smiling with his voice.
"But she's alright?" Draco asked, holding a finger to Hermione, who looked a tad impatient.
"Oh, yes, she's fine..." Draco gave a nod to Hermione, and she sighed a bit, relieved. It was obvious they were talking about Narcissa.
"Well, where are you? We'll be..."
"No, don't bother, son... I'll call again if something happens, but for now, don't worry yourself. I just wanted to let you know where we were, in case you came looking. I've got to go now, Draco... I trust you'll be a gentleman and walk Hermione home?" Draco raised an eyebrow, although Lucius didn't see.
"How did you know she was here?" Lucius laughed heartily.
"As if she'd have gone home already." Draco smirked.
"Of course I will, sir. Will you be back tonight?" Lucius sighed slightly.
"Probably not, but I'll call you in the morning. Lucifer's there if you need anything." Draco rolled his eyes.
"Yes, Father. Goodbye, Father." Lucius laughed as Draco hung up the phone. He turned to a worried and impatient Hermione. "Mum's in the hospital," he told her, not easing her mind in the slightest. "But she's alright, just for observation, I guess... Father said not to come; wouldn't even tell me which hospital," Draco continued, sitting back down beside her. "Only that it was a muggle one."
"A muggle one?" Draco nodded.
"He promised her she could have this baby at one, considering both Lucifer and I were born at St. Mungo's. Hermione sighed.
"At least she's alright." Draco nodded his agreement and smirked as he regained the positioning he'd had before the call. Hermione grinned and snuggled into him.
~o-o-o-o-o~
"Draco," Hermione asked softly, her eyes closed as she happily rested her cheek against his chest. He jumped slightly, surprised at her speech. They'd slowly progressed to a reclined position on the floor together; Draco lay on his back with Hermione pressed to his side, arm partially draped over his chest. They'd been silent for well onto an hour, and her voice was startling.
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~ Breathe in for luck, breathe in so deep
~*~This air is blessed, you share with me
~*~This night is wild, so calm and dull
~*~These hearts they race from self-control
~*~Your legs are smooth as they graze mine
~*~We're doing fine, we're doing nothing at all.
~o-o-o-o-o~
"Hm?" he replied when she didn't continue, and Hermione shifted slightly, tilting her head up the tiniest bit.
"What scares you most about married life?" she asked just as gently and Draco was a tiny bit taken aback. He wasn't expecting that type of question... more like 'could you move? My leg's asleep.'
"I... I don't really know," he said and Hermione frowned, keeping her eyes closed.
"I'll tell you mine... come on, be open." Draco sighed.
"I guess... I guess I'm just scared of it in general. Because I'm the man, a lot falls on my shoulders... it's my job to take care of you, and support you, and make sure everything is always alright and the way it should be... I just don't want to mess up something that important." Hermione smiled warmly.
"I'm not that feeble, Draco... I'll be there to help you, you know." Draco smiled and squeezed her close.
"I know." There was another period of silence before he spoke again. "So? What are you most afraid of?"
"Babies." Draco chuckled softly.
"Babies?" Hermione nodded.
"Well, not babies," she said. "The whole prospect of having one... first you get fat, then there's pain... followed by sleep deprivation, depression, migraines, poverty, and severe paranoia. It just doesn't sound like vacation to me." Draco ran his hand over her shoulder.
"It won't be that bad," he promised and Hermione laughed.
"And exactly how would you know?" Draco shrugged, smiling.
"If it was, I doubt Mum would keep shelling them out," he pointed out and Hermione laughed, hugging his side. "If it'll make it easier, we could practice." Hermione lifted her head, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Do elaborate before I fabricate some not-so-pleasant mental images." Draco laughed.
"Well, Mum IS going to have a baby... it's perfect really. We'll baby-sit." Hermione thought about this a moment, then nodded slowly.
"You know... that's a pretty good idea... but there's no way to simulate pregnancy and delivery." Draco shrugged.
"That you'll have to wing... but for now, we can pretend. As of this moment, you are officially as pregnant as my mother." Hermione looked down.
"I sure carry it well, don't I?" she said, smirking, and Draco laughed.
"Indeed you do." Hermione sighed, lying her head back down and closing her eyes. Again the little tree house was filled with silence.
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~ The words are hushed lets not get busted,
~*~Just lay entwined here undiscovered. ~*~Stay quiet, stay near, stay close, they can't hear... ~*~My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me ~*~So won't you kill me, so I die happy ~*~My heart is yours to fill or burst ~*~To break or bury, or wear as jewelry ~*~Whichever you prefer ~o-o-o-o-o~
After what could have been hours of lounging and sparse conversation, Draco looked up at the wall-mounted clock. He sighed.
"Hermione?"
"Hm?" she answered drowsily, making her comfort obvious. Draco smiled slightly.
"It's pretty late, you're father'll skin me if we don't get you home soon," he said and Hermione frowned, shaking her head.
"Daddy's not home... they're still on vacation," she reminded him, but didn't farther move or speak. Draco didn't either for a moment, savoring the last few minutes with her in his arms. It really had been a long time since he'd seen her...
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember
~*~I'll always remember the sound of the stereo
~*~The dim of the soft lights, the scent of your hair
~*~That you twirled in your fingers
~*~And the time on the clock when we realized it was so late
~o-o-o-o-o~
Draco only allowed himself a minute or so before he forced her to move.
"Come on, H'mione," he whispered to her and started to shift. Hermione reluctantly sat up and fluttered open her eyes. She turned wearily to Draco, and he smiled, getting to his feet and offering his hands. Hermione yawned into her palm, then took them, standing herself. She smiled at him for a moment and Draco was preparing to lean in, but she sighed and broke away, stretching a bit before moving toward the latter. She waited by the door, knowing Draco liked to go down first. Hermione smiled to herself as she recalled this; when they were very young, it was a domination thing... which then grew into a 'cop a peek' under her skirt... but now had stopped at a concern for her safety. Draco did as he always had, starting down the rungs and waiting halfway down for her to start. Once she was down the first one or two, he quickly climbed to the ground, but waited there for her, gently taking Hermione's hips in his hands as she came close enough and guiding her the rest of the way down.
Hermione smiled as her feet were placed again on the ground and turned around to face him, looking ever so beautiful in the moonlight. Draco placed a hand on the small of her back and began on a course for the street. Hermione deeply inhaled and sighed softly, smiling at him.
"I love the way it smells after the rain," she said, grinning at the damp cement below their feet. Draco nodded.
"I know," he said softly and Hermione crossed her arms, turning to look back up at him, keeping her expression. Thinking she might be cold, Draco moved his arm from her back to her shoulders, pulling her close to him. Hermione complied less than reluctantly, turning her face into his shoulder. They reached her gate in no time and she swiftly reached a hand to open it, only to be met with a steadfast knob. Her features contorted in what looked like tired confusion.
"Lucius must have locked it when they left," she said, sighing, and Draco nodded.
"Do you have a key?" Hermione shook her head, returning her arms to their previous state.
"Nor a wand; it's inside." Draco nodded in understanding, then shrugged, removing his arm. Hermione suddenly felt a chill.
"Oh, well... bye then," he stated simply, then turned and started back toward his home. Hermione's jaw dropped.
"Draco! You can't just leave me here!" she called after him, but Draco didn't seem to hear her. "Draco! Please!" But he didn't turn back. Hermione sighed in frustration, and slammed her back into the post aside the entrance. "How can he be so wonderful one minute, and such a bastard the next?" she mumbled quietly to herself, but someone answered.
"'Tis a gift," said a voice, seconds before the gate opened and a blonde head emerged. Hermione felt a wave of relief, but smacked him anyway, scowling.
"That wasn't at all humorous, Draco," she said and he shrugged.
"I kind of thought it was." Her expression didn't change. "Oh, come on, Hermione, do you really think I'd just leave you like that? Honestly..." Hermione took a moment to contemplate, but then sighed and shook her head.
"How did you get in, anyway?" Draco lifted an eyebrow.
"How do I usually get in to see you when the gate's locked?" he asked in a way suggesting she should know the answer, and Hermione turned her eyes to the heavens.
"Trellis," she said and he nodded.
"Indeed."
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~And this walk that we shared together
~*~The streets were wet and the gate was locked
~*~So I jumped it and let you in
~o-o-o-o-o~
Hermione sighed softly and stood straight, starting down the damp path to her home. Draco followed closely, like a gentleman, walking her to her door. Luckily, there was a key under the mat, which Hermione knelt and retrieved, immediately fitting it into the lock.
"Hey," Draco said and Hermione turned back to him. "Don't I even get a goodbye?" He sounded a little disappointed. She let her hands melt from the doorknob, turning to him.
"You're not coming in?" she asked and Draco smiled slightly, shaking his head. "Oh, come on, Draco, it wouldn't be our first sleepover." He kept his smile and brought a hand to her chin, brushing it lightly with his fingertips.
"It's not that I don't want to, Hermione, but I want to be there if Father calls with news," he explained, and her eyes widened a bit, as if she'd forgotten all about Narcissa.
"Oh, I'm sorry Draco... of course, I understand... call me too, though, alright?" He smiled and nodded.
"Of course." Draco stood with his hands at his sides, smiling, and obviously waiting for Hermione to make a move... whether it be going inside or... something else. She waited a moment, then stepped forward, placing her hands just above the sides of his belt. Draco's smile faltered a bit; he didn't know what she was planning... but Hermione did. She pushed up and connected their lips for a third time.
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~And you stood at your door with your hands on my waist
~*~And you kissed me like you meant it
~*~And I knew, that you meant it... that you meant it
~o-o-o-o-o~
They broke apart slowly and Draco was last to open his eyes.
"Damn..." he whispered, causing Hermione to giggle. She pushed up again, but this time her lips came close to his ear, and she pulled his hand to her stomach.
"Don't swear... the baby will hear you."
~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, nothing much special, hm? Lol. Just a background. Things that will be tackled in the future: Their marriage... their parents... and of course, babies! Normally I'd ask for votes as to the gender and name of Narcissa's baby... but I'm thinking I got it under control. Especially considering I'm writing the next chapter before and posting these two together :oD
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER ONE: Little Pictures
Hermione Granger stepped out of the yellow London taxicab just outside her vast home and sighed blissfully as her eyes grazed over it. She hadn't been back in almost a year... there was the Hogwarts term, then Christmas spent at school, and the first portion of summer with the Weasley's. She enjoyed visiting the burrow, but it was nothing like home.
As the cab pulled away, Hermione decided she'd had enough reminiscing and picked up the small bag she had brought with her. It wasn't much, but shrinking spells worked wonders when wanting to travel light. Although it was summer, it was the summer after seventh year, which meant free use of her wand and potion making abilities. Life had never been so good.
Hermione walked up to the tall, white, crosshatched wooden gate and fumbled in her purse for the key. She felt a wave of slight panic wash over her as she discovered that the little metal wonder was missing. Out in the open using a wand was looked down upon, but it seemed her only choice. That is, unless by some miracle, her parents had left the gate unlocked...
Hermione closed her eyes and turned the handle, surprised when it spun easily under her hand. She let out a short sigh of relief, not bothering to wonder exactly why the gate was unlocked, and passed quickly through and down the damp path to the front door. It'd been raining all day, but she was lucky enough to manage a window of sprinkle with which to return home. With a wide smile, Hermione reached for the doorknob, only to see it turn before she could touch it. She looked up, startled, to see the tall, blonde, and looming figure of Lucius Malfoy.
"Granger," he acknowledged her, and Hermione's breath caught in her throat. All at once, the shock subsided and a smile graced her lips.
"Uncle Lucius!" she shrieked, dropping her bag on the sidewalk and throwing her arms around him. Lucius laughed, hugging and spinning her around before gently placing her back on the ground.
"I'm not your damn uncle, child," he said, but a playful smirk stayed planted on his face.
"Would you rather she call you Aunt Lucy, like her mother?" said another voice and Hermione looked behind her surprise house guest to a thin blonde woman who held a tight smile on her lips and her hands clasped at her protruding midsection.
"Only for cover, and only in letters, Narcissa." Hermione squealed and ran to Narcissa, ignoring the eye roll given from Lucius.
"Cissa!" she called, embracing the woman as she had her husband, then backed up a bit, eyes wide. "Look at you," Hermione said in awe, eyes on the new mother's stomach. Narcissa raised an eyebrow, glancing at Lucius.
"You sound surprised," Narcissa said, still smiling, and Hermione looked up.
"Well... yeah!" she exclaimed as if it were obvious. Narcissa looked a tad confused.
"Draco didn't tell you?" Hermione crossed her arms at the thought of the Slytherin.
"No, Draco didn't tell me! Is he here? I'm aiming to give him a good kick in the pants..." Both adults laughed.
"No," Lucius said. "We didn't wake him up... and it's only eleven, so I'm betting on three hours before he has enough sense to remember that you're coming home today," he said, stepping up to Narcissa and placing a hand on her back. She smiled up at him. Hermione sighed.
"He can wait. When are you due, Cissa?" she asked, bending to place her ear against the woman's protuberance.
"About a month," she stated softly with a warm smile.
"Wow... do you know what it is yet?" Hermione asked, looking back up. Narcissa shook her head.
"But my money's on a boy," she said and Hermione laughed.
"Wouldn't we all be surprised?"
"As intriguing as this conversation may be, ladies... don't you even want to know why we're here, Hermione?" Lucius interrupted and she shrugged a shoulder.
"I figured I'd find out at some point or another." He smirked.
"Your parents decided to stay a few days more on vacation, love. We're your messenger pigeons," Narcissa said and Hermione smiled.
"You didn't have to come all the way here to tell me that... and you shouldn't be doing much of anything, Cissa." Lucius pointed to Hermione, but looked at his wife, who rolled her eyes.
"See?" he exclaimed, then turned to Hermione. "That's exactly what I said... be damned if anyone listen to me..." Narcissa sighed.
"You live just down the street, Hermione... not the next town. And stop swearing, Lucius; the baby will hear you." Hermione giggled softly, but Lucius closed his mouth. "That's better."
"Are you going home now? Can I come?" Hermione asked, looking pleadingly at the two people in front of her. Narcissa and her husband shared a look, then Lucius straightened, looking down his pointed nose at her.
"Hermione Granger, I have never and will never allow you to breech the threshold of my doorstep," he said quite coldly and Hermione frowned, looking toward the ground.
"I understand, sir," she said sadly, staring at her shoes. Lucius simply gazed calmly at her and Narcissa shook her head, hand running over the swell at her middle. It wasn't ten seconds before Hermione started to giggle. A smirk appeared on Lucius face as she looked up.
"Sometimes I think your mother exaggerates your intellect, Hermione. Of course you can come... but I'm afraid I have a few errands to run for your parents, so it'll just be you girls." Narcissa frowned slightly.
"I think I'll stay with you, Lucius. Hermione, you know the way by now, I'm sure." Hermione grinned.
"Of course," she said and pecked them each on the cheek before heading for the door. She was out only a moment before she reentered, dropping her bag on the floor and coming back to Narcissa, placing a gentle kiss on her swelling for the baby. She waved before skipping through the door once again.
~o-o-o-o-o~
Hermione, upon reaching the grand doors of Malfoy Manor, slowly opened them and stepped through. She started toward the staircase, but another blonde stopped her.
"Hermione?" she grinned and spun around.
"Hi Lucifer," she said softly to the man almost five years older than she. He stepped forward and gave her a hug.
"How's my little sis?" Hermione laughed and kissed his cheek.
"Not quite yet, Lucy. Where's Draco, I need to speak with him about something..." Lucifer smirked that hereditary Malfoy smirk and Hermione silently found herself hoping it made it into the next generation.
"I'll give you one guess..." he whispered into her ear and she giggled, spinning around and bolting toward the stairs. "And don't call me Lucy!" Lucifer called after her, although he was still smiling. Hermione ran up the stairs, then turned right, left, and right again, until she came to a very familiar black door with a gold 'D' pressed into the wood. She paused briefly to catch her breath, then quietly pushed the slab open, sneaking inside.
Hermione stood by the entrance, smirking as she found what she was looking for. On a silent count of three, she ran to the king size four-poster and leaped onto it, scaring the life out of its occupant.
"Wakey, wakey, Drakey," she called out as she bounced, and Draco Malfoy bolted upright, head finally permeating the covers. Once sure he was awake, Hermione plopped down, bouncing one last time before the mattress settled beneath her. She contented herself with watching a shirtless and messy haired Draco blink his eyes into focus. When he saw her, he pulled the covers back over his head.
"Gah, Hermione! You can't just barge in on a person like that! What if I'm not descent?" Hermione laughed.
"I can do whatever the hell I want to you, my dear, and if you slept naked for seven years in Slytherin, I fear for you." Again, Draco folded the covers down.
"Good point." Hermione gave a nod. "But I'm still wearing less than I'd like you to see." She laughed.
"Oh, please, Draco...I HAVE seen you in trunks before, haven't I? And I'll be seeing a bit more than your fish belly in a few months..." Ignoring her crude remark, Draco lifted the sheets and looked to his stomach.
"I do not have a fish belly... summer's barely started," he pouted, and Hermione laughed, pulling the covers all the way off and exposing his scantily clad and cotton white body. She smirked at his slight... almost invisible blush. She knew it was there. She'd known him long enough to know that.
"Don't lie to me Draco. How long have we known each other? Seventeen years? You are one large and permanent fish belly." He sighed, pushing himself up on his elbows.
"I bet you are too," he said a bit bitterly, and Hermione smirked, climbing onto her knees and lifting her thin black t-shirt to just below her breasts, displaying a perfect tan from the top of her ribs to the hem of her low cut jean cut-offs. Draco swallowed slightly. "Or not." Hermione rolled her eyes and dropped her shirt back down, pushing his shoulder.
"What is it with you?" Draco shook his head, sitting up and sliding back against the headboard.
"What are you doing here, anyway, Hermione? I thought you weren't supposed to come back for a few more days," Draco said, raising an eyebrow, but Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly at him.
"Don't change the subject, Draco. You knew perfectly well when I was coming back. I sent you three letters," she said.
"I didn't get them," he insisted and Hermione perked an eyebrow.
"Oh really?" she asked, keeping her eyes on his face, and Draco's gaze flicked quickly to the pillow beside him before he agreed.
"Really. Didn't use the Weasley bird, did you? It's not surprising, then..." Hermione waited only a moment before diving for the pillow. Despite Draco's attempts to stop her, she found the packet of letters, neatly tied with the red ribbon she recognized from her Christmas present to him. "Hey, give me those!" he demanded, holding her to him with one arm as he easily reached the other out and extracted the letter packet from her thin fingers. Hermione smirked, leaning against him slightly, and Draco pulled back, placing the letters under the other pillow, which he was much more able to protect. Hermione frowned a bit and sat up again.
"Come on, Draco... talk to me," she pleaded, moving close, and Draco tensed a bit. She tried to sigh, but it caught in the middle. He'd never been like this before. They'd grown up together, they'd mud wrestled, and camped outside, and learned to fly at the same time... they'd always been close. She'd give anything to know what was different. "Fine, you don't want me near you... I won't be near you," she said, sounding a tad hurt, and started to get off the bed. Draco made quick to catch her arm.
"Don't go off all mad at me," he pleaded and Hermione stopped, but didn't turn back to him. "Look, I just... well..." She slowly turned her head, waiting for a response. "This is getting too real for me." The scowl on Hermione's face dropped and her eyes softened. Draco didn't let go of her arm. "It was easy when we were younger... it was like a game, but, now... I love you, Hermione...you're my best friend... but we're getting MARRIED in five months. There's no changing it, it's going to happen... I just don't know if I'm ready." Hermione sighed.
"Well if that's all," she said, swinging her legs back up onto the bed and turning around. Draco looked surprised. "What, you think I haven't been thinking the same thing? But we agreed to this a long time ago..."
"Ha," he interrupted with a scowl. "How fair is it to ask two five-year-old best friends if they wanted to get married when they turned eighteen?" Hermione sighed.
"It's rather ingenious if you think about it. They wanted to betroth us, but we were two old, so they asked permission, knowing we'd say yes. Well, I said yes. I doubt you were paying attention." Draco frowned, looking down at the thin white sheets. Hermione sighed. "Draco, it's not going to be that much different. We've been practically married for our entire lives, with the exception of school. You're like my shadow... the only difference is we'll actually live together, and you won't have to climb the trellis every night just to see me before bed." He smiled, turning to her.
"I guess you're right..."
"Of course I'm right."
"It's just... we're not kids anymore... it's going to be harder this way, you can't deny that." She sighed and nodded, but it was only a moment before Hermione snapped her head up, eyes narrowed.
"Speaking of kids..." Draco's face lost expression. He knew where this was going. "Why the HELL didn't you feel the need to inform me of my future little brother or sister-in-law, hm?" Draco sighed.
"Would you have gone to Ron's if I had?"
"Of course not, I'd have come... straight..." she trailed off and Draco nodded.
"Exactly." Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"So you did this to get rid of me? Well I love you too, Draco... bloody hell," she said, moving out of his grasp, and Draco smirked.
"Of course not; don't be dense. I did it so you could have a few more worry- free weeks with your friends before they find out about everything," he said and Hermione's scowl subsided.
"Oh..." she said softly, then looked up at him. "Thanks, then..." Draco lifted a gentle finger and lightly brushed her chin.
"You're welcome."
~o-o-o-o-o~
Hermione sighed, falling back on the plush carpet of Draco's vast room. He sat only about two feet away, now prim and dressed, minus hair gel, but plus a pair of thin wire-framed glasses. She turned her head to the side, watching silently as he read through 'The Muggle World for the Pureblooded Idiot'.
"Why do you bother to read that trash, Draco? It's totally pointless... I could tell you more about the muggle world and I AM a pureblooded idiot." Draco looked up, and a smirk crossed his face.
"No you're not, Hermione. You're a mudblooded genius," he said gently, as if it really was a compliment, but Hermione smiled rather than get upset.
"You've been calling me that for so long, it's almost like a term of endearment now," she said, and Draco shrugged.
"Who says it isn't?" Hermione smiled and sighed.
"Too bad I'm not one..." she said, turning back to look at the ceiling and pulling her knees from the floor. Draco smirked.
"Nobody needs to know that." Hermione smiled, but said nothing more for a few moments.
"Isn't it nice to finally be free of that god forsaken school?" she said quietly, almost to herself, and Draco looked up again, not at all annoyed that she kept interrupting him. As a matter of fact, this book was quite boring.
"Indeed it is. No more Snape... no more... Neville Longbottom... no curfew, no shared dorms, no 'no magic over the summer' rule..." he paused a moment, then set his book down, folded his glasses on top, and crawled over to her. Hermione closed her eyes, smiling. "But you know what the best part is?"
"Hm?" she asked, turning her face slightly, and Draco grinned, leaning down to whisper in her ear.
"We don't have to hide anymore," he said, then pulled back up, and Hermione opened her eyes, smiling at him.
"If you think about it, it was pointless that we ever did in the first place." Draco frowned slightly.
"It was to protect you from Voldemort, Hermione, you know that," he reminded her and she nodded.
"Yes... but I don't see how being friends with Harry is any safer than being friends with you..." Draco sighed.
"I'll admit you didn't choose the safest friends... but you were JUST his friend. If the Dark Lord found out that I was betrothed to the first female Boyce in Merlin knows how many centuries... he'd have you an inch from death before you could say Quidditch. Your family is by far the most powerful light side asset we've got... a Malfoy and a Boyce would be like... Hitler and Princess Diana." Hermione punched him, mouth open wide.
"How DARE you compare yourself and your family to that of Adolf Hitler, Draco?" she asked in mild outrage and he smirked.
"It's that damn book; it's got me feeling evil." Hermione sighed.
"I told you not to read it." Draco laughed softly, then paused a moment, studying her. She smiled warmly at him, a confused twinkle in her eye. Hermione had just opened her mouth to ask what was wrong when she was silenced by two something's she hadn't felt on hers since that day eleven years ago in Draco's tree house after they'd watched 'Love Story' with Narcissa and Hermione's mother, Madeline Boyce.
oOoOoOo
"H'mione..." Asked a nervous, seven year old Draco Malfoy as he set up an army of plastic soldiers... the magic kind, with wands that shot sparks. A brown haired girl with her hair in tiny braids, pulled back in a ponytail, looked up from her book with a grin.
"What?" she asked softly, and Draco turned to her.
"Are you going to fall asleep forever... like the girl in that movie...?" he asked in a desperately quiet voice and Hermione looked surprised. She marked her book and set it beside her on the tightly nailed wooden floor of the quaint little clubhouse designed just for them. She criss-crossed her legs and sat up a little straighter, pressing a hand to her stomach.
"I don't know..." This had evidently not been the answer Draco was looking for, as he immediately left his troops to occupy the side of his friend, as if afraid she'd die at any minute. She looked up at him as he moved to sit beside her. "How do I tell?" Draco, wanting to be the man... her shoulder to cry on... sat up straight and puffed out his chest as he made his statement.
"If you were... you would feel sleepy... do you feel sleepy?" Hermione turned her head back down, thinking hard.
"No... no, I don't think so..." she said, then paused a moment, before shifting to stand up. As she did, she gasped, placing her hands near the small of her back.
"What?" Draco asked frantically, scrambling to stand beside her. Hermione turned to him.
"Draco... my bum's asleep," she said, sounding fairly scared, and Draco's eyes widened. He nodded.
"That's a sure sign." Hermione placed her hands quickly over her mouth, stifling her shriek.
"What do we do?" she asked and, again, Draco tried to be proud and manly, as he always did when she needed his help.
"Well... Mum read this story to me once... there was this girl, who slept for a hundred years, and the only way she could wake up, was if her one true love kissed her." Hermione sighed and stamped her foot.
"Well where am I going to find one of those?" Draco was silent for a moment.
"Daddy says you're my one true love... maybe I'm yours too," he suggested and Hermione nodded.
"That makes sense... aw, but I don't wanna have ta wait a hundred years! That's a really long time, even for a witch..." she said, pouting and Draco came once again to her rescue.
"Well... it took the prince guy that long to find her... maybe, since I'm already here, if I kiss you now, you won't even have to go to sleep... all the way," he suggested, and Hermione bit her lip. "Come on, H'mione... I don't want you to have ta sleep forever... that would be really boring. It's worth a shot." She sighed and nodded.
"It's worth a shot." Hermione closed her eyes and puckered her lips, waiting for Draco to give their first kiss. After a few seconds of waiting, and no lip lock, she sighed and opened her eyes. Draco was looking quite terrified. "Oh, come on, Draco! It was your idea in the first place!" He swallowed and she closed her eyes again. "I'm feeling drowsy..." All at once, Draco connected his lips with hers, in a simple chaste kiss that ended within in three seconds. Hermione grinned. "Thanks, Drakey." Draco made a face.
"Ew... I'm never doing that again... I don't care how much you don't want to take a nap."
oOoOoOo
Hermione held her breath, applying light pressure to the lips atop hers. She couldn't think of anything except how comfortable this felt. Draco had been her best friend their entire lives... she'd imagined their first... or rather, second kiss would occur on their wedding day, and be extremely awkward... but this simply felt right. Draco slowly pulled back, letting a sweet breath onto Hermione's moist lips. She was silent for a moment before she opened her eyes. Draco was looking quite nervous and scared, making unending eye contact as he waited for her response. Hermione smirked.
"But Draco... I'm not even sleepy," she said softly and he laughed. "What was that for?" Draco shrugged slightly, his fear subsiding.
"Practice," he stated and leaned down for another round. Hermione, however, smirked once more and turned her head. Draco pulled back again, looking slightly confused.
"That's not fair; you can't just kiss me whenever you feel like it," she said and he perked an eyebrow.
"I can too; you're my fiancée, I can kiss you if I want to," he stated, lifting his nose in the air and Hermione laughed.
"Get over yourself." Draco looked down her, but his nose remained high above. "Alright, let's make a deal. You don't get to kiss me again until I see you naked," Hermione proclaimed and Draco's face contorted in disgust.
"Why would you want to?"
"I don't, particularly, but I gotta get something out of this, don't I?" she said. "Don't look so cheated; I still get to kiss you... and besides, we've got other things to practice..." Draco shook his head.
"You sappy women. And for the record, you've never kissed me." Hermione shrugged.
"First time for everything. Now, what about sappy?" Draco sighed.
"Alright, alright. Hermione Renee Boyce, do you take Draco Demetrius Malfoy as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?" Hermione pretended to think for a moment.
"You know, it's a sure sign of insanity to talk in third person." Draco rolled his eyes.
"Just answer the question H'mione, do you or don't you?"
"Do I have a choice?" Draco glared slightly. "Okay, okay, I do. Do you, Draco Demetrius Malfoy, take Hermione Renee Boyce to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Draco said quickly, then leaned down to seal the deal, but Hermione stuck to her word, placing a finger between his lips and hers.
"Must you be so urgent, Draco? You waited eleven years between the first and second kiss, I think you can wait a little longer than eleven seconds between the second and third." Draco sighed and rolled away, lying on his back beside her. Hermione turned to him slightly after a brief period of silence. "Draco, I need you to promise me something." He turned to her once more.
"What is it with you and promises all of a sudden?" Hermione smiled.
"Please?"
"What, then?"
"After we get married, we'll still be friends, right?" Draco smiled, but shook his head. Hermione frowned deeply, not quite understanding. That hadn't been the answer she was looking for.
"We'll be friends with benefits," he said, raising his eyebrows, and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"What's gotten you so sex driven all of a sudden?" Draco shrugged.
"Just the thought that I'm finally going to get to score, and it's going to be with the one person I love more than anything," he said, grinning, and Hermione smiled back.
"So poetic," she said softly and Draco smirked quite smugly, causing her to giggle.
~o-o-o-o-o~
"Draco, how do you think I'd look with corn-rows?" Hermione asked as she sat Indian style in front of the full-length mirror in the tree house, picking through her hair.
"Beautiful," Draco said absently, now reading a book a little more interesting than his previous.
"What if I dyed it black?"
"Beautiful." Hermione turned around, suspecting he wasn't paying attention.
"What if I got a tattoo on my forehead? How would I look then?"
"Beautiful."
"And if peeled off all my skin and used it to make an overcoat?"
"Beautiful." Hermione sighed.
"What if I played paintball in a white string bikini?" Draco looked up at this suggestion, raising an eyebrow.
"Extremely beautiful." Hermione smirked.
"So you were paying attention?" Draco gave a nod.
"Of course."
"So you think I should go for the skin thing?" she asked, turning back to the mirror and leaning close, examining her skin.
"Most definitely," he agreed, but then seemed to change his mind. "Actually, that's already been done once or twice. I'd vote on something more original... like paintball." Hermione rolled her eyes and spun around, crawling closer and sitting beside him before digging her hand into the bowl of Bertie Bott's with lay on the floor. She took a bite out of one, then made a face and pulled it back out of her mouth, shuddering. Draco smirked. "What was it?"
"I don't know..." Hermione said, then held it toward him, pinched between her thumb and forefinger. "Taste it." Without hesitation, Draco opened his mouth, accepting the morsel and chewing thoughtfully. He didn't even cringe.
"Hm... I think it's liver." Hermione shook herself again. "I do agree, quite detestable..." He paused a moment. "Look for another one," Draco said, fingering through the bowl, and Hermione shook her head, leaning against him slightly. Draco looked a bit surprised, but stopped his search, lifting his arm over her head and enclosing it around her shoulders. She sighed blissfully.
"Draco, what..." Hermione started, but a digital ring interrupted her. She looked up at Draco, and he lifted an eyebrow, reluctantly letting her go and scurrying toward the phone in the corner.
"First time that's ever happened," he mused to himself and Hermione shook her shoulders.
"I didn't even know you had a phone up here..."
"Hello?" Draco spoke into the receiver, a little surprise showing in his voice.
"Draco, oh good... Lucifer said you were in the tree-house."
"Dad? What happened?" Hermione straightened a bit at this question, looking a tad worried.
"Everything's fine, son... but I've taken your mother to the blasted muggle hospital... she insists she feels odd... but she's done this more times than I have, so I'm taking her word for it," Lucius said, smiling with his voice.
"But she's alright?" Draco asked, holding a finger to Hermione, who looked a tad impatient.
"Oh, yes, she's fine..." Draco gave a nod to Hermione, and she sighed a bit, relieved. It was obvious they were talking about Narcissa.
"Well, where are you? We'll be..."
"No, don't bother, son... I'll call again if something happens, but for now, don't worry yourself. I just wanted to let you know where we were, in case you came looking. I've got to go now, Draco... I trust you'll be a gentleman and walk Hermione home?" Draco raised an eyebrow, although Lucius didn't see.
"How did you know she was here?" Lucius laughed heartily.
"As if she'd have gone home already." Draco smirked.
"Of course I will, sir. Will you be back tonight?" Lucius sighed slightly.
"Probably not, but I'll call you in the morning. Lucifer's there if you need anything." Draco rolled his eyes.
"Yes, Father. Goodbye, Father." Lucius laughed as Draco hung up the phone. He turned to a worried and impatient Hermione. "Mum's in the hospital," he told her, not easing her mind in the slightest. "But she's alright, just for observation, I guess... Father said not to come; wouldn't even tell me which hospital," Draco continued, sitting back down beside her. "Only that it was a muggle one."
"A muggle one?" Draco nodded.
"He promised her she could have this baby at one, considering both Lucifer and I were born at St. Mungo's. Hermione sighed.
"At least she's alright." Draco nodded his agreement and smirked as he regained the positioning he'd had before the call. Hermione grinned and snuggled into him.
~o-o-o-o-o~
"Draco," Hermione asked softly, her eyes closed as she happily rested her cheek against his chest. He jumped slightly, surprised at her speech. They'd slowly progressed to a reclined position on the floor together; Draco lay on his back with Hermione pressed to his side, arm partially draped over his chest. They'd been silent for well onto an hour, and her voice was startling.
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~ Breathe in for luck, breathe in so deep
~*~This air is blessed, you share with me
~*~This night is wild, so calm and dull
~*~These hearts they race from self-control
~*~Your legs are smooth as they graze mine
~*~We're doing fine, we're doing nothing at all.
~o-o-o-o-o~
"Hm?" he replied when she didn't continue, and Hermione shifted slightly, tilting her head up the tiniest bit.
"What scares you most about married life?" she asked just as gently and Draco was a tiny bit taken aback. He wasn't expecting that type of question... more like 'could you move? My leg's asleep.'
"I... I don't really know," he said and Hermione frowned, keeping her eyes closed.
"I'll tell you mine... come on, be open." Draco sighed.
"I guess... I guess I'm just scared of it in general. Because I'm the man, a lot falls on my shoulders... it's my job to take care of you, and support you, and make sure everything is always alright and the way it should be... I just don't want to mess up something that important." Hermione smiled warmly.
"I'm not that feeble, Draco... I'll be there to help you, you know." Draco smiled and squeezed her close.
"I know." There was another period of silence before he spoke again. "So? What are you most afraid of?"
"Babies." Draco chuckled softly.
"Babies?" Hermione nodded.
"Well, not babies," she said. "The whole prospect of having one... first you get fat, then there's pain... followed by sleep deprivation, depression, migraines, poverty, and severe paranoia. It just doesn't sound like vacation to me." Draco ran his hand over her shoulder.
"It won't be that bad," he promised and Hermione laughed.
"And exactly how would you know?" Draco shrugged, smiling.
"If it was, I doubt Mum would keep shelling them out," he pointed out and Hermione laughed, hugging his side. "If it'll make it easier, we could practice." Hermione lifted her head, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Do elaborate before I fabricate some not-so-pleasant mental images." Draco laughed.
"Well, Mum IS going to have a baby... it's perfect really. We'll baby-sit." Hermione thought about this a moment, then nodded slowly.
"You know... that's a pretty good idea... but there's no way to simulate pregnancy and delivery." Draco shrugged.
"That you'll have to wing... but for now, we can pretend. As of this moment, you are officially as pregnant as my mother." Hermione looked down.
"I sure carry it well, don't I?" she said, smirking, and Draco laughed.
"Indeed you do." Hermione sighed, lying her head back down and closing her eyes. Again the little tree house was filled with silence.
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~ The words are hushed lets not get busted,
~*~Just lay entwined here undiscovered. ~*~Stay quiet, stay near, stay close, they can't hear... ~*~My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me ~*~So won't you kill me, so I die happy ~*~My heart is yours to fill or burst ~*~To break or bury, or wear as jewelry ~*~Whichever you prefer ~o-o-o-o-o~
After what could have been hours of lounging and sparse conversation, Draco looked up at the wall-mounted clock. He sighed.
"Hermione?"
"Hm?" she answered drowsily, making her comfort obvious. Draco smiled slightly.
"It's pretty late, you're father'll skin me if we don't get you home soon," he said and Hermione frowned, shaking her head.
"Daddy's not home... they're still on vacation," she reminded him, but didn't farther move or speak. Draco didn't either for a moment, savoring the last few minutes with her in his arms. It really had been a long time since he'd seen her...
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember
~*~I'll always remember the sound of the stereo
~*~The dim of the soft lights, the scent of your hair
~*~That you twirled in your fingers
~*~And the time on the clock when we realized it was so late
~o-o-o-o-o~
Draco only allowed himself a minute or so before he forced her to move.
"Come on, H'mione," he whispered to her and started to shift. Hermione reluctantly sat up and fluttered open her eyes. She turned wearily to Draco, and he smiled, getting to his feet and offering his hands. Hermione yawned into her palm, then took them, standing herself. She smiled at him for a moment and Draco was preparing to lean in, but she sighed and broke away, stretching a bit before moving toward the latter. She waited by the door, knowing Draco liked to go down first. Hermione smiled to herself as she recalled this; when they were very young, it was a domination thing... which then grew into a 'cop a peek' under her skirt... but now had stopped at a concern for her safety. Draco did as he always had, starting down the rungs and waiting halfway down for her to start. Once she was down the first one or two, he quickly climbed to the ground, but waited there for her, gently taking Hermione's hips in his hands as she came close enough and guiding her the rest of the way down.
Hermione smiled as her feet were placed again on the ground and turned around to face him, looking ever so beautiful in the moonlight. Draco placed a hand on the small of her back and began on a course for the street. Hermione deeply inhaled and sighed softly, smiling at him.
"I love the way it smells after the rain," she said, grinning at the damp cement below their feet. Draco nodded.
"I know," he said softly and Hermione crossed her arms, turning to look back up at him, keeping her expression. Thinking she might be cold, Draco moved his arm from her back to her shoulders, pulling her close to him. Hermione complied less than reluctantly, turning her face into his shoulder. They reached her gate in no time and she swiftly reached a hand to open it, only to be met with a steadfast knob. Her features contorted in what looked like tired confusion.
"Lucius must have locked it when they left," she said, sighing, and Draco nodded.
"Do you have a key?" Hermione shook her head, returning her arms to their previous state.
"Nor a wand; it's inside." Draco nodded in understanding, then shrugged, removing his arm. Hermione suddenly felt a chill.
"Oh, well... bye then," he stated simply, then turned and started back toward his home. Hermione's jaw dropped.
"Draco! You can't just leave me here!" she called after him, but Draco didn't seem to hear her. "Draco! Please!" But he didn't turn back. Hermione sighed in frustration, and slammed her back into the post aside the entrance. "How can he be so wonderful one minute, and such a bastard the next?" she mumbled quietly to herself, but someone answered.
"'Tis a gift," said a voice, seconds before the gate opened and a blonde head emerged. Hermione felt a wave of relief, but smacked him anyway, scowling.
"That wasn't at all humorous, Draco," she said and he shrugged.
"I kind of thought it was." Her expression didn't change. "Oh, come on, Hermione, do you really think I'd just leave you like that? Honestly..." Hermione took a moment to contemplate, but then sighed and shook her head.
"How did you get in, anyway?" Draco lifted an eyebrow.
"How do I usually get in to see you when the gate's locked?" he asked in a way suggesting she should know the answer, and Hermione turned her eyes to the heavens.
"Trellis," she said and he nodded.
"Indeed."
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~And this walk that we shared together
~*~The streets were wet and the gate was locked
~*~So I jumped it and let you in
~o-o-o-o-o~
Hermione sighed softly and stood straight, starting down the damp path to her home. Draco followed closely, like a gentleman, walking her to her door. Luckily, there was a key under the mat, which Hermione knelt and retrieved, immediately fitting it into the lock.
"Hey," Draco said and Hermione turned back to him. "Don't I even get a goodbye?" He sounded a little disappointed. She let her hands melt from the doorknob, turning to him.
"You're not coming in?" she asked and Draco smiled slightly, shaking his head. "Oh, come on, Draco, it wouldn't be our first sleepover." He kept his smile and brought a hand to her chin, brushing it lightly with his fingertips.
"It's not that I don't want to, Hermione, but I want to be there if Father calls with news," he explained, and her eyes widened a bit, as if she'd forgotten all about Narcissa.
"Oh, I'm sorry Draco... of course, I understand... call me too, though, alright?" He smiled and nodded.
"Of course." Draco stood with his hands at his sides, smiling, and obviously waiting for Hermione to make a move... whether it be going inside or... something else. She waited a moment, then stepped forward, placing her hands just above the sides of his belt. Draco's smile faltered a bit; he didn't know what she was planning... but Hermione did. She pushed up and connected their lips for a third time.
~o-o-o-o-o~
~*~And you stood at your door with your hands on my waist
~*~And you kissed me like you meant it
~*~And I knew, that you meant it... that you meant it
~o-o-o-o-o~
They broke apart slowly and Draco was last to open his eyes.
"Damn..." he whispered, causing Hermione to giggle. She pushed up again, but this time her lips came close to his ear, and she pulled his hand to her stomach.
"Don't swear... the baby will hear you."
~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, nothing much special, hm? Lol. Just a background. Things that will be tackled in the future: Their marriage... their parents... and of course, babies! Normally I'd ask for votes as to the gender and name of Narcissa's baby... but I'm thinking I got it under control. Especially considering I'm writing the next chapter before and posting these two together :oD