A/N: It's finally here, peeps! The first chapter of the Sequel to Tainted by the Past. - You may want to read Tainted (if you haven't already) before reading this one, as some things may not make sense, especially as we get further into the fic.
This one is going to be full of fluff (well as much fluff as the most un-romantic person can cope with, without vomiting in her mouth lol) and have a lot of Lemons. But as I did with Tainted, I'll put a warning at the top of the chapter - this chapter is Lemon free ;)
Hope you enjoy,
xBx
~ Chapter 1: House Hunting ~
"It's too small." Draco said, bluntly.
Hermione rolled her eyes, and then smiled apologetically at the estate agent. This was the third apartment they had seen today, and while Draco hadn't discounted this one as quick as the others, he still dismissed it ridiculously quick – at least they had made it through the front door this time.
"It's an apartment," Hermione said tiredly, "Not a manor house, it's supposed to be small. And we've barely looked at half of it." She reminded him.
"It only has one bedroom." Draco stated, clearly not being put off his decision.
"We really only need one bedroom," Hermione pointed out, "The space is adequate."
"It's not." Draco insisted, and Hermione felt close to screaming at his stubbornness - it really had been a long day, and it was only the middle of the afternoon. "We need space for our work," He pointed out, "There's no room to hold meetings here."
"Okay, for starters, we are not holding meetings in our home." Hermione declared, in her infamous no-nonsense voice. her hands even moving to her hips, making Draco's mouth itch into a small smile.
"If either of us are going to hold any meetings in the city, we will do it at a hotel: we will book out an entire suite, or function room. This is going to be our home, not our office." Hermione thought for a moment, and then gave a resigned sigh, "But I suppose you have a point about business: we do, do a lot of work from home." She looked at the estate agent, trying her best to ignore Draco's smug look,
"We're going to need a second bedroom: a guest room that can be used primarily as a study." Hermione stated, "And good entertaining space, we like dinner parties." She added as an afterthough, before turning back to Draco, "You were right, it's too small."
Draco smirked, "I'm always right." Earning himself that famous Hermione-Granger-Eyeroll, which only made him smirk more.
"I may have something that could suit you." Their agent said hesitantly, "It hasn't gone on the market yet – I just picked up the keys from the seller on my way to meet you. I haven't even photographed the place yet. It's a two bedroom flat, here in Knightsbride, just around the corner. Top floor, lots of space, open plan and it's newly renovated, but it is not quite finished." She said, "Would you like to see it?"
"When you say not quite finished?" Hermione asked slowly, the last thing she needed was a home renovation project on top of everything else she was embarking on.
"All the major work is done: New kitchen and bathrooms, carpets in the bedrooms. All the rooms have been painted with a base coat, but there are no finishing coats done – so it's a blank canvas for you." The agent said, trying to sell the property, "And the floor boards in the rest of the house will need finishing off – staining and varnishing."
"Original floorboards?" Hermione asked, and the agent nodded.
"One of a number of original features: there's a fireplace in the living area, as well as one in the master suite. High ceilings, original cornices, and the windows and doors have been expertly restored in sypathy with the building." The agent said, continuing in her selling tone.
Hermione looked at Draco and shrugged, "It's worth a look." She said to him; She had that determined glint in her eye and Draco knew it was futile to resist.
"Lead the way," Draco sighed, "But this is the last one today. I'm over it already, and I'm hungry." He complained.
"Stop pouting like a spoilt child," Hermione scolded as they followed the estate agent. God knows what she thought of their bickering: no doubt she thought Draco and Hermione buying a place together was the stupidest idea, as they had done nothing but bicker since viewing the first apartment today. And it had been the same two days ago when they had been shown four others.
But that was just how they were: their bickering wasn't done in anger, and they always laughed about it after. If anything, their bickering was more playful than serious, but to an outsider who didn't truly understand their dynamic, it could be quite daunting to hear them argue.
"When we're done here, we'll take the tube to Covent Garden, pick up some take-out and call in on Harry." Hermione said, trying to placate him, as they made they way up the street.
"Oh joy, just what I want to endure when I'm tired and hungry, Potter and Weasel." Draco drawled.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Relax, Ron won't be there, apparently he has a date." She told him.
"Seriously?" Draco asked.
"Yes, seriously." Hermione said, "It will just be Harry and Ginny. Blaise is busy, apparently." She commented, as the agent came to stop, outside a long, white, four storey terraced building that stretched the whole street.
"Here we are," She smiled, walking up the steps to one of the many large front doors of the building. Upon entering the foyer, it was bright and surprisingly airy, with a large staircase winding up to the next floor. "There are two flats on each floor," the agent told the, signalling to the doors on either side of the hallway, before venturing up the stairs.
On the fourth floor, they stopped outside a door with a large '8G' on it, and the agent fished around in her purse for the correct key. When they entered, Hermione smiled: the place was certainly spacious, and they were only in the hallway.
The hallway was long, but wide enough that it would never feel cramped; there were three doors along the right hand wall, but only one on the left hand wall, down at the end. They took the first door on the right to begin with, and found themselves in a good-sized room, with a plush cream carpet. "The second bedroom, with built in wardrobes." The agent said, "Which you can easily turn into a suitable study."
Hermione nodded: The wardrobes ran the entire length of the left hand wall, most of the back wall, opposite the door was taken up with the large windows, but the right hand wall was bare.
"We can build in a desk that runs the entire wall," Hermione gestured, moving into the room, "Have it continuing through the corner up to the door?" She suggested. "Plenty of room for us both – have shelving running up the walls, we'll fit all our files in here no problem. There would still be plenty of room for a couch, or sofa-bed if we ever have anyone over to stay."
"It could work." Draco said, and Hermione smirked. She knew he had no complaints, but he wasn't one to get enthusiastic just yet.
They moved back into the hall to the next room, adjacent to the second bedroom: The main bathroom, recently done to the highest specifications complete with a free standing roll top bath, separate shower, and a good sized vanity unity with a large sink and plenty of storage space. "Very nice." Hermione commended, and she could already picture herself soaking in that bathtub after a long day of work.
The final room off the right side of the hallway was the master suite, and it was fantastic – even Draco couldn't complain about the size. It was carpeted the same as the second bedroom, but it was twice the size. The back wall was taken up mostly by windows again, the bed would go on the right hand wall; a king size bed would fit in easy, with plenty of room on either side for bedside tables. The left side of the room housed a large walk in closet, with an entrance at either end. They walked into the room to explore, and found the door to the en-suite next to the door to the hallway: The en-suite was the same width as the hallway and housed a double shower, separate his and hers sinks, and once again plenty of storage space.
"This is great," Hermione said grinning, looking at Draco, "Even you can't fault this I'm sure."
"There are still a few things left to do to the place before it's ready to live in." Draco reminded her, but Hermione could tell he liked the place.
"Painting, furnishing, and the floors need finishing." Hermione said, "It's nothing more than we'd want to do on any place we find: if anything, this is better. It's already a blank canvas, we won't need to do anything to ready it, just put our stamp on it right away." She grinned.
"So far so good." Draco said to the agent, "Show us the living space."
Their agent smiled, and turned back into the hall and on through the doorway opposite to the bedroom door. Hermione actually gasped aloud at what she walked into, and even Draco let out a whistle.
"I'll admit I'm impressed." Draco said.
The entire right side of the apartment was completely open plan: the doorway they had come through took them into what would probably be the dining area, a space which could fit a dining table big enough to seat ten easy. To their right was the kitchen, all brand new with built in, first-rate appliances.
"White goods included?" Hermione asked; Draco had no idea what the hell that meant, so he just kept quiet.
The agent nodded, walking into the kitchen and going through it, "All in built, you've got your fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. The oven is electric, but the hob is gas." She explained – half of this went straight over Draco's head, and he could see Hermione giving him an amused glance, knowing full well he didn't have a clue. He scowled at her, and she just stuck out her tongue.
The kitchen sink was set in an island bench top, which doubled as a breakfast bar, which was perfectly in line with a set of double French-doors that lead out onto a balcony, which looked out onto the street that fronted the property. There were then five sets of windows that spanned the length of the of the whole room, before another set of double French-doors led out to another balcony in the sitting area. On the far wall, which backed onto the outside foyer, there was a large ornate, and clearly original, fireplace, around which three couches could easily be placed.
"Is the fireplace usable?" Draco asked; he knew enough about muggle properties to know that full working original fireplaces were becoming rare.
The estate agent smiled, "Of course," she said "You should be able to get an excellent blaze going in there, enough to heat the entire room without a problem."
Draco nodded thoughtfully; the fireplace was certainly big enough for a person to stand in, and he wondered how difficult it would be to get it connected to the Floo network – surely not too difficult, especially if the request came from Hermione: the ministry wouldn't refuse her anything.
Hermione looked at Draco, barely containing her grin, "I love it." She said, and Draco could see in her eyes that it was a complete understatement.
"I can see that," he said, with a smile, before looking up at the agent, "What's the asking price?" He asked.
"It's a little over the budget you gave me," she admitted. Draco smiled: considering the fortune he was able to access, and Hermione's generous payout from the Ministry - not to mention her own fortune - price really wasn't an issue. "But I'm sure he'll be willing to negotiate." She offered.
"Can we take another look around, and discuss it?" Hermione asked with courtesy.
They remained at the flat for another half an hour, the agent remained in the kitchen while Hermione and Draco took another look around the place, this time discussing in more detail how they could furnish it, and spending a good ten minutes arguing over the colour scheme of the master suite.
"We are not having emerald green," Hermione said flatly.
"Why not?" Draco countered, "Your bedroom at your parent's house is green." He pointed out.
"Precisely," Hermione said, "I'm moving out of there for change, not to go somewhere that looks the same."
"Well we sure as hell aren't having it red. There is no way I am sleeping in a room decorated like Gryffindor Tower." Draco retorted.
Hermione smirked, "You didn't complain at school when you slept in my room." She reminded him.
"That was different: you didn't personally choose the colour scheme, and by the time it came to sleep I was often too exhausted to really care about the colour scheme." He smirked, coming up to her and snaking his hands around her waist, causing her to feel that familiar flutter in her stomach that always accompanied his touch – she wondered briefly if that feeling would ever disappear, before hoping adamantly that it never would.
Hermione grinned, "Anyway, I wasn't going to suggest Gryffindor colours, I was going to suggest something more neutral." She assured him, before kissing him.
When they broke apart, Hermione asked, "Do you like it?"
Draco grinned, "Being kissed by you? I love it." He said, before kissing her again.
Hermione laughed against his lips, and hit him playfully in the chest, "No," she said, when they broke apart again, "The apartment. Do you like it?"
Draco thought for a moment, "It does seem perfect for us, for now. It has the space we need, but it's not too big. We can really make it our own. I don't know if I'd pay the full asking price, though." He said.
"But we should at least make an offer," Hermione said, hopefully.
Draco nodded, "Yeah, we should." He agreed. "Alright, let's go talk numbers," he said, taking her hand and moving back into the kitchen.
They left the estate agent with a reasonable offer, not too much lower than the asking price, and Hermione's contact details so that she could get in touch after speaking to the current owner. They made their way to the tube station, both feeling rather hopeful, and wearing identical self-satisfied, almost smug, smiles. When they reached the station, however, Draco's smile slipped.
"Where are you taking me?" He asked warily, Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled out two cards, handing one of them to Draco.
"What am I supposed to do with this?" He asked, growing more concerned by the minute.
"Watch and learn." Hermione smiled, moving to the turnstile, placing her card on the reader, and moving through it. She turned and waited for Draco to follow, laughing at how warily he was moving.
"What fresh hell is this?" Draco muttered, as they made their way further down and onto a platform. He had become used to taking Muggle taxi's over the past couple of weeks, but this was something entirely new to him.
"It's the London Underground, get a grip." Hermione hissed.
"It's dingy and dirty, and god knows what diseases are festering down here." Draco hissed back.
"It's not that bad." Hermione chastised as the train they were waiting for arrived.
"You've got to be kidding me?" Draco said, taking in the crowded carriage.
"Move." Hermione stated, pushing him forward and loosing her patience. They found a spot to stand in, near the centre of the carriage, not too close to the doors.
As the train pulled back into motion, Draco lurched into Hermione, as a random Muggle lurched into him. "I don't see why we couldn't just apparate." Draco hissed out of the corner of his mouth, moving an arm around Hermione's waist, instinctively holding her close. Hermione quickly cast a wandless Muffliato – she had been continuing to practice wandless magic every day, ever since Christmas and she was slowly getting a good grasp on small spells.
"Because we are in the middle of Muggle London." She hissed back, "There is nowhere safe for us to apparate and disappearate. And besides, if we're going to live in Muggle London, we may as well try to acclimate as best we can. Starting with riding the Underground." She told him
"If I catch something, I'm holding you personally responsible." He muttered, before exclaiming, "bloody hell!" as the train lurched to a stop at the next station. "Can they not smooth the transition from start to stop any better?" he complained.
Hermione laughed, "Suck it up, princess." She told him.
Draco looked at her with wide eyes, "Did you just call me a princess?" he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Hermione smirked, "Well you are acting like one," she teased. "Look, you may as well get used to it, how else do you think you'll be getting into to the Ministry?" she pointed out.
Draco gave her an almost scathing look, "Did you not see the fireplace in that flat?" He asked, "We can easily get it hooked up to the Floo network."
Hermione considered this for a moment, "Alright," she considered, "I'll give you that one. But what if we don't get the place?" she asked, worrying her lip.
Draco smiled, "We'll get it." He assured her, "You know how I hate to be refused." He smirked, before growling as the train lurched to a stop once more.
Hermione chuckled, "Come on, let's go," she said, leading him from the train and off the platform, back up out into fresh air.
"Thank Merlin for that," Draco muttered as they navigated the busy London streets hand in hand.
Draco's relief was short lived, however, as once Hermione had purchased enough take out to feed four she led him back to the tube station he had recently escaped.
"Are you kidding me?" He asked.
"You just want to disappear in the middle of crowded street?" Hermione asked, slightly incredulous, "Bring the Ministry down on you, when you're going to start working there in a month's time? Do that, and you can kiss goodbye to your job, you know that right?" She told him, fishing in her pocket for her card.
"I hate you right now, Granger, I hope you know that." Draco grumbled as he fished out his own card, but there was no malice in his eyes, and Hermione knew he didn't really mean it.
Hermione smirked at him as he followed her back through the turnstile; "That's a shame, you were going to get lucky tonight, but I don't sleep with people who hate me." She told him, before walking off toward the right platform.
Draco growled, "You are a cruel woman, do you know that?" He said, keeping perfect pace with her. "You'll be the death of me, I'm sure." He muttered. Hermione merely grinned as they boarded a train.
Hermione and Draco had graduated Hogwarts only two weeks ago, and since leaving the school they had had very little opportunity to spend as much time together as they were used to doing. They had gone from living in the same tower, and sleeping in the same bed, to living back in their parents' homes at almost opposite ends of the country; Hermione up in York, Draco down in Wiltshire. While business helped bring them together, with the running of Monde Caché – their upscale Muggle cocktail bar in York, their separate business ventures successfully kept them apart many days of the week.
Hermione had thrown herself into the deep end with the expansion of her family business; two days after leaving Hogwarts, she was in Nottingham with Beth (who had taken on the role of Project Manager), looking at the space that had been bought, finalising the building plans, and submitting them for approval. Once the approval came through, Beth would call her back into Nottingham to get the next stage of development underway.
Draco, meanwhile, had been cooped up at the Manor, going over vast amounts of legal documents pertaining to the family's money, businesses and multiple investments. Lucius was still considered the head of the family, despite being locked up in Azkaban, and as such Draco was unable to make a lot of decisions without his signature, as well his Mothers. Up to now, this had not been much of a problem: his recent business acquisitions had been purchased with his own fortune, that had been acquired through his allowance from his parents over many years as well as a few healthy sums of money he had inherited directly from a couple of relatives. This fortune had been solely under his name, in his own Gringotts vault, and as such completely separate from the Malfoy fortune and estate.
However, now that Draco was out of Hogwarts, it was time for him to step up and start managing the family assets, but he was finding himself limited in what he could actually do, and access, without his father's signature. And that would require Draco to visit his father in Azkaban – sooner, rather than later, while his father was still somewhat of sound mind – a thought which Draco certainly did not relish. Lucius would be in Azkaban for a fair few years – a minimum of ten, which was an incredibly lenient sentence considering how involved in the Dark Lord's regime he had been, but because of his plea of guilty, along with following through on his word to assist the Aurors in the capture of the Death Eaters still at large, he had been given a respectable reprieve.
Yet regardless of this, Draco wondered if Lucius would even survive ten years in the place: Lucius had been a different man after his first stint in Azkaban, it had only been a year, but Draco saw that his father was never the same after. And he was starting to get on in years; Lucius was ten years older than Narcissa, and they had had Draco well into their marriage, so he was already nearing middle-age when his son was born. It was a very real possibility, in Draco's eyes, that his father would die in prison.
"A penny for you thoughts?" Hermione's voice broke into his reverie, and he looked down at her with a smile; he could see the frown forming on her face, obviously some of his thoughts had shown on his face and he knew she was starting to worry.
"It's nothing," he sighed quietly. Hermione gave him that look that clearly showed she didn't believe him, "Talk about it later." He offered, "Are we nearly there yet, I'm starving." He added, "And I really need to scourgify myself."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Next stop," She told him, "And it's really not that bad." She insisted again.
As promised, they got off at the next stop, and walked the fifteen minute trek from the station to Grimmauld Place, all the while Draco mumbled about apparating being so much quicker.
"It's summer, and broad daylight," Hermione snapped as they rounder the corner of the street, "two people disappearing would not go unnoticed. I know you're hungry, but for Gods sake, please give the moaning a rest." She practically begged.
"Harry!" Hermione called out, as they entered number twelve.
"In the kitchen!" Ginny's voice called back from the kitchen.
"Changed your name, have you?" Hermione asked as she entered the cavernous cellar, lit by candles and a large fire blazing in the hearth.
Ginny grinned, "Harry couldn't answer. He'd just taken a drink, tried to call out and choked. I thought I'd help him out."
Hermione laughed; Harry did look a little red in face. "I brought take-out." Hermione said.
"I?" Draco drawled, dumping the bag on the table.
"Well, I bought it." Hermione reminded,
"I carried it," he pointed out.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Fine, we brought take-out." Hermione amended, "Don't worry about him, he's tired, hungry and cranky." She explained, pulling out boxes of chinese food and chopsticks, and handing them around, as Harry summoned bottles of butterbeer for everyone.
"So how did the flat hunting go?" Harry asked, as Hermione and Draco took a seat at the large scrubbed wooden table and they all tucked into their dinner, "Thanks for this, by the way."
"Your welcome," Hermione smiled, "and good. We found a place we loved, and we made an offer," Hermione said.
"So quick?" Ginny asked, "Didn't you want to think it over, I mean it's a big step."
"It's a great place, and it hasn't gone up on the market yet, if we get in early, before it goes up, we'll have a better shot at getting it." Hermione explained.
"Though I am having second thoughts," Draco said, "It's right in the heart of Muggle London, apparently that means I have to start using Muggle Transport." He gave a shiver, and Ginny snorted.
"Don't mind him," Hermione smirked, "He had his first experience of the London Underground this evening." She explained.
Harry laughed at that, "Oh man, I wish I'd have seen that!" He said.
"Shut it, Potter." Draco growled, making the other three laugh even more.
"Oh quit whining, and just eat." Hermione said, "But anyway, it's a fantastic place, top floor, and high ceilings so it just feels so roomy -" Hermione went off, gushing about everything from the unfinished floorboards to the original cornice work.
"So, do you reckon you'll get it?" Ginny asked, a half hour later, after Hermione had finally stopped gushing.
Draco shrugged, "We've got a good chance: we made a reasonable offer considering the work left to do, not to mention we told them we could pay cash up front. They'd be an idiot to refuse, frankly." He told them.
"Speaking of," Hermione said, looking at Draco, "say we do get the place, how do you want to do the money? Split fifty-fifty, transfer to a single account, and pay from that one?" Hermione suggested.
Draco gave a non-committal shrug, "Do we have to discuss it over dinner?" He said quietly, sounding slightly uncomfortable.
"It's only Ginny and Harry," Hermione dismissed his concern, "It might be bad taste to discuss over dinner but we need to think about it. Since we're dealing with Muggles, it would be better to come from me, I think, as I have the Muggle bank account."
"So have I." Draco smirked, and Hermione was momentarily lost for words.
"Since when? How?" She asked.
"I've been dealing in Muggle Business for a year, Hermione," he reminded her, "I needed it. I set it up last summer, through Gringotts: they have an affiliation with a worldwide, Muggle Bank. The Muggle account is directly linked to my Gringotts vault, and money is drawn straight from it." Draco explained. "I'll sort it." He said simply.
Hermione ignored the dismissal, "It's our place, Draco." She reminded him, "I should pay for half, and it's not like I can't afford it."
"Both our names will be on the deed, but there's no point wasting time and effort transferring gold around, when my vault can cover it." He said, "Look, we'll compromise:" he added, when Hermione looked set to interrupt, "I'll pay for the empty shell, you cover the cost of furnishing. Sound good?"
Hermione thought for a moment, and then nodded slowly, "Fine." She said, "But I am only giving in, because I know you're not going to budge on this."
Draco smirked, "Finally, you're learning to know when I will win." He joked.
"Did that seriously just happen?" Ginny said directly to Harry, bringing Draco and Hermione's attention back to the table. "Did they seriously just argue about money? The two richest people we know, arguing about money." Ginny stressed to Harry with a grin, making Harry chuckle.
"Leave 'em be, Gin," Harry teased, "They have to argue about something, keep the passion alive."
Ginny snorted, and Hermione decided to change the subject, "How's training going?" she asked the redhead, "Ready for your tryouts?"
Ginny had been scouted during the final term at Hogwarts, to try out for the Holyhead Harpies, her trial set for three days time.
Ginny nodded, "Ready as I'm ever going to be," she said, sounding slightly nervous.
"Don't worry about it, Weaselette," Draco said, "You're a good player, they'll be idiots not to take you on." He told her, sincerely.
Ginny grinned, "Why, thank you ferret." She said, "That might be the nicest thing you've said to me."
"Don't get used to it," Draco smirked. "Where's Blaise, tonight?" He asked then, "You two are usually joined at the hip."
"Training," Ginny said, summoning another round of drinks from the pantry, "He's got his tryouts for the Dorset Dragons next week. Haven't seen much of him since Hogwarts, to be honest." She added, sounding frustrated.
Hermione shrugged, "In fairness, neither have Draco and I." She said, "The most time we've spent together is when we've been looking for a place to live. It's been a hectic couple of weeks, once we all get settled into a routine I'm sure you'll see more of each other, again."
Draco nodded, "I think I've seen Blaise once, since we graduated – excepting the party," He added: Harry had graciously hosted a graduation party for his close friends whom had finished that year, and it had turned into quite a rowdy affair. "I hear he's looking for a flat in Wizard London?" He asked Ginny, who nodded.
"Are you moving in with him?" Hermione asked.
"Merlin, no." Ginny said, "We are so not there yet; not like you two who seem to be a middle-aged couple already," she joked, then continued seriously. "No, I'm moving into George's old flat though, above the shop, in Diagon Alley." She told them. "It will be nice to have my own space for a while."
"Where's George going?" Hermione asked – she really had been out of touch recently.
"He bought a bigger place, away from the store, so it's a little quieter." Ginny explained.
Their easy conversation was interrupted when Hermione's phone rang, "Sorry," Hermione apologised, "I have to take this, and no doubt it's important." She excused herself and left the kitchen to take the call in the hallway. She only used her phone for Muggle business, which meant no call could be ignored – something which had irritated Draco on a number of occasions.
"What the hell was that?" Ginny asked. "It was so shrill."
Draco rolled his eyes, "It's an awful noise, isn't it?" He said, glad that someone finally agreed with him "But she never ignores it. Something to do with it being used 'only for business so it's always important'" He repeated Hermione's words, "Stupid bloody blackcurrant." He mumbled.
Harry choked on his butterbeer as he laughed at Draco's slip-up. Both Ginny and Draco frowned at him, before Ginny looked back at Draco.
"Blackcurrant?" she asked.
Draco shrugged, "That's what she calls it – I don't know, it's Muggle." He said, as Harry regained his breath.
"I think you mean, 'Blackberry', mate." He said, with a laugh. "It's the name of the phone." He explained.
"Whatever, Potter." Draco said, as Hermione entered.
She frowned as she took in Harry's red face, "You choking on your drink again?" She asked, "What got you this time?"
"We were talking about your phone," Ginny said, "And Blackberries?" She said, still not fully sure about the conversation.
Hermione grinned as she made her way back to her seat, "Did Draco call it a blackcurrant again?" She asked with a chuckle, causing Harry to laugh once more.
"Who called you?" Draco asked, ignoring the laughter and changing the subject.
Hermione grinned, "The estate agent." She said, "Do you want the bad news or the good news?" She teased.
"I don't know." Draco said warily.
Hermione grinned again, "Well, the bad news is: you're about to spend a lot of money. The good news: Our offer was accepted." She let out a little squeal of excitement as she said it.
"Seriously?" Draco asked; his face remained calm, but Hermione saw the excited gleam in his eye. Hermione nodded and Draco stood from his chair, pulling Hermione up with him so he could give her a proper hug, wrapping his arms around her tightly before crushing his lips to hers.
"Alright," Harry said after a moment, "We know you're happy, but come on: not in my kitchen." He joked.
Hermione laughed, and pulled herself away, as Ginny spoke, "This calls for a celebration," she said, calling out for Kreacher to find something a little more fancier than Butterbeer.
A/N: So there's the first chapter, let me know what you thought. I know a few of you have been waiting for a while for this one, I hope it was worth the wait.
Thanks for reading :) - oh, and to keep up with this fic's progress you can follow me on twitter CelticPagan3 :)
xBx