Disclaimer's Notice: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters featuring in the books or the films. They belong to J.K Rowling and her wonderful mind.
Chapter 1
There is nothing in this world that can truly compare to the bliss brought by a peaceful, perfect English summer. When the sun shines so brightly that all the colours of nature seem more brilliant than ever before, you cannot find anything to be troubled or concerned about. When the cool yet gentle breeze lifts your hair and plays symphonies on your skin nothing else matters but that moment, and that moment alone.
Hermione, surrounded by her friends on such a day, was completely at peace. Sitting together, they laughed and joked as the late afternoon sunshine from the warm June afternoon filtered in through the open French windows of the annexe in which Hermione lived on her parent's estate in the Cotswolds. Sipping the glass of fruity Pimm's she held in her hand Hermione moved out of the wicker chair and moved out onto the wooden decking of the porch that protruded on the western façade of the bungalow she lived in. Closing her eyes, she lifted her head to face the sun and took a deep breath.
Life was good!
She had finished Hogwarts and passed all her N.E.W.T's with flying colours; she had just graduated from the Beauxbatons Academy of Languages with a double first in French and Spanish and was starting her new job in the Department of International Magical Cooperation in September. At 23, Hermione was the youngest witch ever to bee invited to join the department. While this secured her career and her future (being an invitation from the Minister himself, there was no need for interviews or applications), something was still missing. Something that had been on her mind for almost 7 years, something that she could not forget about even on this perfect English summers day.
Hermione took another sip of her drink and plucked a strawberry out of her almost empty glass. Popping it into her mouth she padded over the smooth wooden planks and perched herself on the wooden railing that surrounded the porch perimeter. Resting her back on one of the tall wooden pillars that supported the railing and the roof of the porch, she stretched her legs out in front of her. The breeze tickled her tanned bare legs and filled her cotton dress to cool her entire body.
She turned her face away from the sun and looked out over the expansive grounds that surrounded her. In the distance, she caught a glimpse of the white marble portico that led to her parent's manor house. She could see the tennis courts, the swimming pool, the stables and a few of the polo fields in the distance. Looking back at the polo field her eyes lingered on the tall posts, topped with red flags that marked the goals.
Draco...
The name popped into her head almost like an unbidden thought. She did not want to think of him, she did not want to remember. After all these years, after all this time, she still ached to be with him. Missed him and wanted him near her all the time. It was almost pathetic but the sad truth was that despite the 7-year separation since that fateful meeting at the polo match, Hermione Granger still held a torch in her heart for Draco Malfoy. She allowed her mind to wander back to the last time they had been together.
After the summer, when they had returned to Hogwarts, Malfoy had kept his word and not mentioned their meeting or their mutual declaration of love to anyone. Hermione was grateful but keeping it a secret was harder than she thought it would be. There were days when their gaze would meet across the Great Hall and Hermione would watch as the steel of his eyes melted into molten mercury at the sight of her. The intensity with which he looked at her would set her entire body of fire. Her mind would instantly transport back to that hacienda rooftop, to that kiss, to the feel of his now absent goatee on her face, her neck; the way his chest felt when he pressed it against her own.
Then one day, it had become too much for her to bear. She sent him an anonymous owl from Hogsmeade one Saturday afternoon and arranged to meet him in the Room of Requirement on the seventh floor of the castle the following Saturday at 9pm. They had planned to go into the room separately but both were so desperate to be with each other that they ended up colliding on the sixth floor outside the secret passage that led to the seventh floor & the room. Instead of moving away and maintaining secrecy, they had fallen into each other's arms both weeping with pleasure at their reunion, oblivious to all else.
Their happiness however, was short lived. What Malfoy hadn't noticed in his excitement to meet Hermione was that someone had watched him leave the Great Hall and that same someone, under the cover of a Disillusionment Charm was currently watching them from behind a suit of armour.
They kissed passionately for what seemed like hours and then embraced tenderly in silence. The words rushed out of them like some pent up energy that had been brewing for months.
"I missed you…it was unbearable watching you walk past me without a second look, I died every time it happened!"
"It's been so hard, every time I see you I just…but we're together now, at least for now. That day in Potions, I could've kissed you for how well you did on that antidote!"
On and on it went, each comment coming out more slowly than the last until finally they stood there, arms still locked around each other with Malfoy resting his chin on the top of Hermione's head. His hair, which had grown slightly since the summer flopped over his eyes and as he raised a hand to push it aside Hermione stroked his now beardless chin.
"It feels strange, you not having a beard. I preferred you with one to be completely honest. It suited you."
"I'm not allowed one at school. Had to shave it off but first chance I get it'll be back, just for you my love…always for you."
After a few more moments, Hermione shifted in his arms and made to leave. He reluctantly agreed that to stay out any later would be foolish, as Filch would probably catch them together. Bidding each other tender farewells that lasted longer than they should have, stealing one last kiss far too many times to count, both Hermione & Malfoy parted ways with heavy hearts and the taste of each other still lingering on their lips.
Two days later Malfoy was gone. Their secret observer had informed Lucius Malfoy of Draco's love for Hermione & their passionate rendezvous. Because of this information, Lucius & Narcissa, utterly disgusted with their son had packed Draco off to Durmstrang to complete the remainder of his education. They came for him in the middle of the night and he left without saying goodbye or explaining where he was going. After weeks of silent worrying Hermione confided in Ginny of her love for Malfoy & what had happened in Argentina. As only a true friend would have done, Ginny found out what had happened to him from a Slytherin girl with whom she was on cordial speaking terms.
A few weeks later, she had received a letter that looked like it had been on a very long journey; it was very dirty and old looking and contained inside it was a note from Malfoy.
My Love,
I had to send this through some dubious channels so no one would know it was for you. I am sorry. My father has forbidden me from seeing you and has placed a Tracer on me so he knows where I am at all times.
Do not despair for we will be together soon. I will find a way around this if it is the last thing I do. I swear it.
Wait for me. I am coming…
The memories faded as Hermione's attention was drawn to a black mare cantering around in her pasture in the next field.
'If only we hadn't been so stupid, if only we had been sensible and waited until we'd got to the room!' Hermione thought for the umpteenth time. She tortured herself constantly with these thoughts of possible outcomes had they been more sensible, more responsible on that horrible, horrible Saturday. 'Maybe we could have been together by now…'
Sighing deeply Hermione returned her attention to the porch and drained her glass. She contemplated eating the remainder of the fruit that had sunk to the bottom but before she could reach a hand inside a voice called her name.
"Hermione? What are you doing out here?" asked Ginny Weasley.
"Just thinking" she replied softly.
"I brought you a refill", replied Ginny handing her a fresh glass of Pimm's.
"Thanks Ginny", Hermione said with a smile.
Ginny realised what she must have been thinking about as she caught sight of the black mare who had stopped cantering around and had put her head down to graze.
"He'll come Hermione. I'm telling you, he'll come", said Ginny soothingly as she placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"I've been waiting for so long though! When will he come!? It's killing me Ginny, what if he never comes. Am I wasting my life waiting for him?" said Hermione softly.
"Do you love him?" asked Ginny.
"With every fibre of my existence" replied Hermione.
"Then it is never a waste. Do not give up on him, he loves you Hermione and you know it in your heart. Come inside whenever you are ready", she said. Kissing the top of Hermione's head, she walked back inside the annexe.
A rustling of leaves brought Hermione out of her contemplative reverie. As she stared toward the Willow that stood at the edge of the lake, she thought she saw someone moving within the shelter of the long overhanging tendrils of the tree. Putting her glass down she called to her friends that she was just going to check something out at the bottom of the garden. Walking down the wooden steps, she felt the warm grass beneath her feet and saw that the sun had set low & it would soon be twilight. She had almost reached the willow when the breeze lifted with a sudden gust and blew aside the tendrils exposing the clearing beneath the canopy.
Standing there behind the tendrils of leaves, his grey eyes blazing with happiness, with dirty blonde slightly curly hair that hung down to just above his shoulders and a clipped but thick equally blonde goatee stood Draco Malfoy.
"You didn't think I'd forgotten did you?" he asked in a voice that sounded slightly hoarse from under use.
She could not speak. She would not speak. This was a dream and he was not here. She sighed and took a step forward half imagining Malfoy to vanish the moment she was within reach of him.
But he did not vanish and he did not move. He stood there as beautiful as ever. She stopped in front of him and reached a hand to his face. Her hand rested on his jaw and he closed his eyes at her touch.
"You're really here" she whispered, frightened that any loud noises or sudden movements might destroy this moment.
"Where the hell else would I be?" he said.
As she moved closer to his body, he took a deep breath. Closer still and neither of them dared to move. Then, as if a dam had burst she flung her arms around her neck and began to cry. He pulled her by the waist against his stomach and clung to her as if she were the only real thing left in this world. And then they kissed, kissed like they had never kissed before as the world around them melted into insignificance. There was such passion, love, relief and urgency in that kiss that Hermione was surprised her lips didn't explode. Malfoy was the one who came up for air first.
"Take my arm", he said to Hermione offering her his forearm.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere where we can be alone for a while, away from him and everything else. You'll see", he said reassuringly.
She placed a hand tentatively on his arm and immediately felt the darkness compressing around her on all sides. Just as she thought she was going to suffocate, die even, the darkness receded, and they were standing on a beach with their feet in the ocean and the sun high in the sky.
"Welcome to Fiji my love. I have but one night and one day before the Trace reactivates. I do not have much time & I thought we could spend it here. I own this island so we will not be troubled" he said as he led her to a beach house that was the very picture of perfection.
It was made of a combination of stone and wood. The three smooth steps and the smooth patio that they led to seemed to be natural rock formations. They were the colour of golden sand. A wooden cover, like a tent had been built over the patio to keep it covered and there were deck chairs scattered all over it along with a brick circular fire pit in the middle and a metal BBQ grill on the side. The sand of the beach that surrounded the patio was so fine and so white that the colour contrast worked perfectly. The house itself was made of wood and glass with full-length windows running the entire length of the southern side facing the ocean. The glass was tinted so that it reflected light and as such, Hermione could not see inside. He led her up the west-facing stone steps, past the central brick fire pit and the chairs into the house. Hermione stepped into a large square room that contained an open plan kitchen and living room. The floor seemed to be a continuation of the stone of the patio and the walls were set with natural looking smoothed stones. The floor felt cool yet warm beneath her bare feet.
The kitchen, which was to the right of the room, looked very modern with stainless steel fittings and an island with an array of kitchen knives held centre stage. The living room to the left consisted of three large L-shaped sofas upholstered with white brushed cotton facing the glass wall opposite the kitchen and Hermione caught sight of a stretch of beach and ocean leading away from the house. There was a wooden coffee table at the centre and it was littered with books and magazines. As she examined the room more closely, she saw that the two north facing walls had shelves filled with more books and they framed an archway that led to a corridor. Malfoy moved towards this archway and Hermione followed.
One inside the spacious corridor Hermione saw that there were two wooden doors on either side of it. Malfoy entered the one on the right and Hermione stepped into one of the most beautiful bedrooms she had ever seen. The walls were painted white and the floor was marbled in a corresponding colour. By the south facing glass wall, a huge double-king size bed stood low to the ground on a wooden futon style frame and adorned with white sheets with a view of the beach. There were two sofas and one armchair to the right of the room. The wall to the left led to a bathroom almost the same size as the bedroom itself with an entire wall of wardrobe doors set into one frame, a sunken bath and a shower stall. The view was the same as that from the bed as Hermione realised it too was part of the entirely glass south side of the house.
Malfoy moved towards the bathroom and began to change. She sat at the foot of the bed and watched as he removed his shirt and trousers. Standing there in his boxers Hermione noticed that despite his seven-year absence his body looked the same as the last time she had seen it. If anything, the seven years spent apart had seen him fill out a bit more and he looked even better. His adolescent physique was long gone; there before her stood not a teenage boy, but a fully-grown filled out man. His hair was longer as well and curled slightly at the ends and she was glad to see that he had grown his goatee back. He had remembered his promise to her that night on the sixth floor and she loved that he had.
He came back into the room wearing linen pants and a cotton polo shirt. He padded over towards where she was sitting and bent down to kiss her once more. She responded in kind and grabbed the collar of his shirt pulling him on top of her. She shifted up the bed and lay flat with Malfoy on top of her. Making a decision, she placed both hands on his cheeks.
"You really shouldn't have bothered getting dressed you know, it's all about to come off again", she said in a breathless voice as Malfoy kissed her down the side of her neck.
Reaching down to the small of his back, she slid her hands beneath his shirt and caressed his skin. Gently she began to pull it up and as he raised himself on his elbows slightly to allow the material to slide over his stomach. She pulled the shirt over his head and threw it to the floor. Kissing his shoulder, she allowed her hands to bury themselves in his long hair as she took in the masculine scent that was wafting through her nostrils. Raising one of her knees, she rolled Malfoy onto his back. Lying on top of him, she stared into his face that still felt so familiar after so long. Tracing the lines of his cheekbones and jaw with her finger, she felt his hands resting at the base of her back. The calluses were still there and there was something about the familiarity of those callused hands that made her feel safe.
Straddling him, she bent down and kissed him hard, once more enjoying the feeling of his silky soft beard against her skin. She stroked his face as she kissed and pressed her hips down onto his pelvis wanted to be as close to him as physically possible. He stopped at once and sat up with Hermione still on top on him. Supporting her back with his hands to prevent her from falling backwards, Malfoy spoke.
"Tell me, Hermione, what do you want? Right now, if I could give you anything in the world what would you ask of me.
She placed her arms on his shoulders and placed her hands on the back of his head. The words came without thought or reason but the moment she uttered them she knew it was right and what she really wanted.
"Give me a child."
He looked at her for a few moments and when he found no confusion or fear in her eyes, he obliged. Flipping her over he began to kiss her so fiercely that Hermione was taken aback. She responded with the same ferocity and blindly reached down to unbutton his trousers. As he slid them off he felt for the buttons of her dress and it too was discarded onto the floor.
At once, the pace increased and as he entered her, she thought she would die of pleasure. She bit into his shoulder as he pushed harder and faster with every minute until the sweet release engulfed them both and they collapsed into a tangled heap of intertwined limbs. They were both sweating and breathing hard.
"So that's what I've been missing", said Hermione in a breathless murmur.
"Indeed" replied Draco with a smile.
Malfoy placed his head on Hermione's heaving chest and she allowed her fingers to absent-mindedly play with his hair. She moved her head a little on the pillow so she had a clear view of the beach from the glass wall. Watching the waves crashing onto the sand, she imagined what it would do to her to have to leave Malfoy now, after what they had just done. With this final act of love, her body had made a promise even if circumstances made keeping it impossible. She was bound to him, physically, emotionally and spiritually bound to the man that was still resting inside her.
She thought of the request she had made of him, the one they had just fulfilled. She had never contemplated having children before, yet when she thought about it, it made so much sense. A child would be a pure and true culmination of their love. A being that was part Draco and part her…what perfection that would be. Images flooded her mind of Malfoy holding a baby with brown hair and grey eyes. The sight of it in her mind's eye made her stir under his weight. He immediately lifted his head.
"I'm too heavy for you", he said making to disengage himself and get up.
"No, stay. I love the way you feel on top of me. I can feel your heart beating against mine the way it was always supposed to. I've waited seven years Draco, I am not letting you go."
He smiled at her words and kissed her lightly before replacing his head on her chest.
"In fact, let's do it again!" Hermione said with a devilish grin on her face and rolled him over.
They made love all afternoon and come evening they were both too tired to carry on. After showering and donning one of Malfoy's shirts that could have almost passed for a dress in comparison, Hermione wandered into the kitchen. There was a huge pot of crabs in the sink and Hermione wondered what they were doing there, they looked good. As if by magic Malfoy appeared behind her, showered and dressed, he asked if she was hungry.
"You read my mind", she said with a smile.
He began preparing the crabs and within the hour, they were sitting outside, the pot of cooked crabs between them and a blazing fire in the pit before them to take the edge off the cool evening breeze. After they had demolished the entire pot, Malfoy flicked his wand and levitated the dishes back into the kitchen where they began washing themselves. They then lay back in the deck chairs and watched the ebb and flow of the water. Sitting in contented silence, their fingers found each other and intertwined automatically. Sipping their beers they passed the rest of the evening in quiet conversation. When the sky was well and truly dark Malfoy stood up and stretched.
"Come to bed my love", he said quietly.
She obliged without hesitation. Changing into some pyjamas she'd found she lay beneath the thin white sheet and nestled into Malfoy's arms while the sound of the water began to lull her into sleep. Just before she drifted off however, a thought struck her that made her suddenly wide-awake.
"Draco, what happens tomorrow?" she asked her voice full of concern.
"I have to return to my father. He will have noticed my absence by now and as this island is Unplottable as well as under the protection of the Fidelius Charm the only way my father will find us is if you or I tell him where we are. Unfortunately, I only managed to subdue the Trace he has on me so when I return I will have to find another way to escape."
"So you will leave me, again."
Malfoy sat up in the darkened bedroom and turned his face away.
"Believe me, it is not willingly that I do", he said in a voice thick with emotion.
"I will wait, just promise to return to me" said Hermione through tears.
"I never left you. I will always be with you. I will always love you", replied Draco kissing her forehead.
Content yet frustrated with his answer Hermione allowed herself to be cradled as she succumbed to the tears of anguish that racked her body and soul. He was leaving her again and she did not know when he would come back. She did not know if she could bear it for another seven years. 'You have to' said a small voice in her head, 'for the sake of your child, you have to. He will return, he always does."
As Draco held her tight in his arms Hermione felt the comfort of sleep begin to wash over her and put all thoughts of Draco's imminent departure from her mind.
She would deal with it when the time came but for now, he was here and he was hers.