Author Note: Thanks for the reviews everyone. I am so glad that you all seem to enjoy the direction this story is taking. I like to keep updating while I have time on break. I head back to school soon so I will try to write a lot now. Have a great holiday and safe New Year.

Draco wasn't exactly lying when he said the safe house has been compromised. In reality, he knew exactly which safe house was on Voldemort's radar. Telling the weasel family their precious Shell Cottage was located would have caused unnecessary panic. He knew how the death eaters worked, and they would have no interest attacking a house full of Order rejects.

There was no one of substance stored in that location, and capturing anyone there would provide them with little to no accurate information. Lovegood senior was probably the most well known member there, and that crazy buffoon wouldn't know his ass from his elbow. Draco took the risk of remaining silent. Honestly, it would look highly suspicious if after being told this classified information the Shell Cottage just randomly was disserted. To be even more honest, the people in that location would not be a loss to the Order if they turned up dead.

What truly concerned Draco was where Voldemort got this information. He was always suspicious of everyone and believed everything was a trap. That was the only way to survive as a double agent. He didn't really expect to survive this war. Granger flipped out on him when he told her that. She was always so optimistic; Draco was forever a realist. Draco knew that she was developing feelings for him, and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. Feelings and emotions were not such a hot commodity for him growing up. He didn't want her to be irrecusably damaged by his death. He watched too many people fade away to nothing because they lost their partner. She was far too good for this war and far too good for a damaged life. He was bound to pay for the lives he took, and death was inevitable for him. He lived a doomed life. He realized too late that she was his only peace.

Draco would give the Weasels one thing, their land was beautiful. His body was still a little sore from all of the damage it endured at the last death eater get together. Thankfully the stitches in his face repair his lip immediately. He didn't honestly want to have a scar. Pissing off Snape was just far too much fun to resist. Flying was exactly what he needed to clear his head, and Potter's firebolt was bound to impress.

He couldn't actually believe his luck in this particular situation. He had walked in on the girl Weasley and Potter in a very naughty act. That image just burns into your retinas let me tell you. Draco knew the male weasels valued Ginny's virginal image more than they valued food or money. It was really pathetic thing to hold on to. He saw her at school and everyone knew she was far from innocent. If that was what they considered a good virgin girl then he would hate to see their version of slutty whore. Ahh, Pansy. Never mind, he was well acquainted with that particular brand of Slytherin Women.

In exchange for his silence, Potter gave him full access to his broom. It worked for him just fine. Draco didn't really have a lot of complaints about Potter lately. They understood each other and came to a mutual respect over time. Draco preferred working with him on raids because he was quick on his feet and kept a level head. If potter had been raised pureblood he would have been an excellent fighter. As it was, he was far too noble to really be proficient in a duel. He pitied and envied him for being able to think that way.

The wind was perfect as he set out to the broom shed. The rickety old shed had definitely seen better days, but Draco was willing to bet it saw a lot of action as well. He couldn't image the lack of privacy this house held.

The Firebolt was easy to spot. It stood out against the ancient Cleansweeps. He kept being reminded of how poor the family was. It made him smile every day. He headed out to the open field and wasted no time getting up in the air. When he was flying the world wasn't quite so fucked up. Draco took a lap around the perimeter of the main land. It was nice to be on a broom simply for recreation. Lately he found that broom travel was becoming more popular for raids. It took the pleasure out of the act.

After a few more laps around the land he spotted Granger. She was heading towards her favorite spot by the stream. Sure enough, she sat down on the large rock and let her feet dangle over the water. He steadied his broom in the air and just observed her. She looked simply stunning. Lately her features had really softened and that dreaded hair had lengthened which pulled the curls down. It was strange to feel attraction to Hermione after their interesting past. She made everything complicated. Sighing, Draco landed the broom and headed toward that big boulder. She didn't hear him approaching.

"It's cold Granger. Don't stay out here too long."

He hovered over her waiting for some sort of response. Her eyes never left the stream, but she did put on the sweater sitting in her lap. There was clearly something on her mind. Why did he always have to act like her damn therapist? He let out an annoyed groan and sat down next to her. No way was he going to pry emotions out of her. She was keeping her problems locked away deep inside where no one questions, and that was exactly where feelings like that belong. He didn't have a problem sitting with her however. The stream was rather peaceful.

"What is this Draco?"

Oh shit. He just had to sit, down didn't he. Draco looked around franticly. There was defiantly no way of avoiding this. If he slowly backed up he could maybe get away. He had a few options: 1. He could pretend he didn't hear the question and fake sleep. 2. He could just tell her. 3. Fake stupid… Option 3 it is.

"What are you talking about? What is what? You sound delirious, so let's get you back inside. Come Granger." He grabbed her arm and tried to usher her to her feet. She slapped his arm away with a smile.

"You know I figured you would have gone with the fake sleep approach. This one was truly inspired though. Bravo." She went back to staring at the stream. There was no further prying at the subject.

Draco had no response to this so he did what all males do when they feel a loss of control; he started swearing, and talking loudly and defensively. Draco jumped to his feet and started pacing with no real purpose.

"Look I didn't ask for you to unload your bullshit on me. You think I planned for this to happen! Like I would choose on my own to get in this mess with you! Why did you start this with me? That is the million galleon question. I did nothing but push you AWAY. But you just love to stick that nose of yours in places it doesn't belong. So don't hand me your psycho babble bullshit. I have no fucking clue what this is ok. Granger, I have no clue what is going on with me or my life. No. Fucking. Clue. I-"

Hermione's lips cut him off. When did she get up? He was happy for the distraction. Her soft full lips were by far one of his top five favorite features of hers. Kissing her was channeling all of his pent up feelings. He wanted her to feel his frustration and pain as well as his comfort and happiness. Slowly they backed up into the willow behind the large rock, lips still interlocked. Draco used this tree to his advantage.

Grabbing her face he kissed her a little harder. She always responded so well to him. He could hear her quiet moans and it just egged him on. Within seconds he was tearing off her sweater and working on the buttons of her blouse.

She seemed to have the same idea because suddenly he felt his own shirt was being tugged over his head. He was positive her heard her growl. The momentary distraction was enough for Hermione to get his belt off. Her whole body was panting with need. She had that look in her eye that he loved. Her eyes turned almost black with lust.

He lifted her up against the tree and she wrapped her legs around him. She could feel him growing against her. Draco wasn't in the mood for waiting. This little vixen had been toying with him the last few days. He pushed up her skirt and smirked at her lack of underwear. That dirty girl. He wasted no time dropping his trousers. As soon as he was in her he let go of all the emotions he held in.

He could hear her moaning and crying out as he pumped into her. Her back would probably be sore but he could care less at the moment. He muttered dirty words in her ear as he focused on nothing else but their need for each other. Being inside her was like nothing else. They fit so well and Merlin did that women drive him crazy. He felt her tighten around him and he took his cue to let go.

They crumbled into a pile at the roots of the tree. Both of them were trying to catch breath. They lay tangled in each other for some time. It was nice just being together, and no words were really necessary. Why can't all fights end this way? Slowly they started collecting their things. She threw his shirt at him and he handed her sweater back to her. After they collected themselves, they sat back down under the shade of the willow. He sensed she was still bothered by something. She grabbed his hand and played with his palm. Her hands were so small compared to his. He sometimes forgot how tiny she really was.

"I just don't understand why you don't think we can be together. We clearly work. I don't know why, but we work so well. I don't understand what my problem always is with men. Why can't I get any of them to stay." She looked so sad and confused.

Ahhh, so this was the root of her troubles. She clearly didn't see herself the way other men did. Draco brushed her stray curls and smiled down at her.

""Your problem is very simple Granger. You intimidate the hell out of everyone. You've got a great ass and a painful right hook. And having firsthand experience with both; let me say that you, Granger, would make lesser men weep." He grabbed her face and kissed her lips tenderly.

"Luck for you I find the benefits far outweigh the challenge being with you possesses."

The goofy grin spread across her face and she rested her head against his shoulder. There are few perfect moments in life, and this was one of them. However, like all perfect moments, life gets in the way.

Hermione's head shot up and he eyes focused in on Draco's dark mark. It was burning and twisting around. They were calling him. Draco felt himself throwing his walls back up. His mind cleared and he shook off Granger's attempts to comfort him. This was exactly why he needed to get away from her. Draco could feel himself shifting into his harsh cold persona. He focused his mind to keep it neutral. They shouldn't be calling him already.

This wont be good.