From Ch 3:

"Oh gods, Hermione…...it's been you all along," he whispered before he gave her what she'd been wanting. Lowering his head, he claimed her lips with his.

Chapter 4

It took an unexpected visitor to bring Draco and Hermione back to their senses. For a time, all they had been able to concentrate on were the sensations overwhelming them both; the gentle exploration of lips and tongue, the pressing of bodies that fit so perfectly together and the moans their caresses produced. Draco's hands were still shaking, though now more from passion. Where this sudden desire had been hiding, he didn't know. Maybe he'd been afraid to acknowledge it, because he hadn't believed it could ever be possible. Maybe it had lain dormant, waiting for the right time to spring forth. All he knew was that he wanted Hermione. He needed her. Merlin help him, but at that moment, he realized he loved her and probably had for quite some time. He trailed kisses down her neck, finishing with a little nip by her collarbone. A love bite. Maybe it was the rumored veela strain of his ancestors popping up in him now, but he wanted to leave his mark on the witch who had stolen his heart. He pulled her as closely as he could, burying his face in her wet curls that were heavy with her unique fragrance; apples and spices and the crisp, pleasing smell of a cold, autumn morning. Gods, her scent was intoxicating….. she was addictive.

"Draco," she whimpered when he cupped her rear to press her more tightly to that spot on him that was aching once more for attention. He groaned, perilously close to losing control when he heard the chimes of his floo ring. Hermione heard it too, and stilled. Reluctantly, she pulled back to ask, "Was that…."

Right then, the door to the bathroom opened and in walked none other than Lucius Malfoy, Hermione's nemesis and father to the naked wizard she was groping. Reacting with the quick reflexes she'd honed during the war, Hermione attempted to accio the bath towel to cover Draco, but she was too late. It had become trapped underneath the feet of their uninvited guest.

The older wizard blinked at first, as if unbelieving of what he was seeing; only after hearing a startled "Father!" did the signature Malfoy sneer appear.

"Well, well….isn't this a pretty kettle of fish. Been keeping secrets, Son?"

"What? You just barge into bathrooms? Why are you even here?"

Lucius snorted, his scorn evident. "I assure you I would rather be elsewhere than here in front of this sickening display, but your mother became worried when you ordered the elves away. She wanted me to check on you. Now I see your purpose in dismissing them. The fewer witnesses to your indiscretions, the better."

"But we're ….I mean, we weren't…..."

Lucius ignored Draco's sputtering. "Tell me, Son…...is this why you saved her?" he asked, indicating Hermione with a nod of his head. "You could have told me you had the mudblood servicing you. I would have left her alone, and your unfortunate injury would have never occurred."

Hermione bristled, outraged at the very idea. "You think I was…that he was paying me to….." For once, she was incensed beyond words. Her palms tingled, itching to slap the pompous sneer off his face. She'd been called a mudblood, a swot…..but her integrity had never before been questioned. She thought she'd grown immune to personal attacks, but this hurt on a deeper level. Partially because she knew the former death eater had meant for it to wound. A small part of her felt like crying, but the other, angrier part felt like pulling his perfect, prissy hair out of his misogynistic head.

"You think I'm some kind of whore?" she spit out, her brown eyes snapping.

Lucius raised an eyebrow at Hermione's question. His eyes glittered lavisciously as they slowly traveled down the length of her wet, see-through dress. Then he looked back up and actually had the nerve to wink at her.

"Yes. That's exactly what I think," he smirked lewdly.

It was hard to say whose face burned brighter, Draco's or Hermione's. Both ready to hurt the man.

Hermione was the first to speak. "I'll have you know I'm a…" Hermione suddenly stopped. She was about to say a virgin, but why should she? It was none of his business.

"I thought we had already established what you are," he sniffed contemptuously. "Certainly not good enough for my son."

Draco had enough. "Hermione is pure, Father. Purer than you or I could ever hope to be."

Lucius curled his upper lip. "Don't misuse the word, Draco. She's filth."

That was the final straw.

"Enough," Hermione said, her voice hard as steel. "Get out. Now."

"Why…..you impudent chit," Lucius hissed. "You are on Malfoy property. This is my home. You dare to order me out of it?"

"My home," Draco corrected, his voice reminding Hermione of how he'd sounded at Hogwarts; haughty and regal. "And I dare. Leave Father, before I call for Cookie to take you back to the Manor."

The look on his father's face darkened. Hermione felt alarmed and remembered that this man had been her enemy only a few short months ago. He'd tried to hurt her. And would have been successful it it hadn't been for Draco.

"We are not through here, Son," he spat through clenched teeth. "I expect you to do your duty to your family's name and not sully it."

Hermione watched as Draco matched his father's arrogance. She was impressed. It couldn't have been an easy thing standing in front of all that anger without a shred of clothing on, but one wouldn't have known it by his stance or the expression on his face.

"That's rich coming from you. Because of your choices, our name is in tatters."

"Draco Lucius, I will not have you…"

But Draco was done with the conversation. "Shove off, Old Man." Flicking his wrist, he made his father vanish with a pop.

"Serves him right if my tremors splinch him," he mumbled.

"Where did you send him….back to the manor?"

Draco smirked, a wicked little grin that once again bloomed into that adorable look of mischievousness. "To the northern edge of our property. A good seven miles from the Manor. The way back is uneven and slippery and covered with thorny vines."

Lucius, his magic suppressed, would have to walk the whole way back.

Hermione took one look at Draco's face and began to grin. An unladylike snort followed that quickly turned into loud peals of laughter.

"Oh, Draco," she said as soon as she was able, "I know he's your father…..but he was so….so..."

"Horrible. You can say it. I've known it for a while now."

"I'm sorry, love." She once again snuggled up against his chest.

Draco cupped her cheek with his hand. He noticed that the shaking had finally stopped. "Am I really?" he asked in a soft voice.

Hermione tilted her head up. "Are you really what?"

"Your love."

She shivered from the sudden explosion of butterflies in her stomach.

"Because I think you might be mine," he confessed.

"Perhaps we are each other's," she agreed before he silenced her from any further discussion.

When Draco woke up the next morning, he had a sinking feeling of déjà vu. The debilitating paralysis he'd experienced at the hospital had returned. He tried to stretch but felt pinned down, a heaviness pressing him into the mattress. He experienced a momentary panic until he sensed movement beside him. It was Hermione, snuggling even closer. It was her body, one leg thrown over his, an arm slung around his waist and her head on his chest that had caused the sensation of numbness.

Merlin, the heat her body puts out feels wonderful.

Draco had become extremely cold-natured since his injury. He didn't know if it was part of the curse or a side-effect from the potions he had to take. But Hermione was better than a warming charm.

My little cuddlebug, he thought fondly until a wayward curl of hers began to poke him in the eye. He attempted to move it, but it sprang right back. He tried again. The same thing happened. He tried blowing it away, but all that did was unlodge another strand. Now he had two curls attacking him.

"Love…...Hermione..…hey Granger," he said with increasing volume.

"Uunghh," she moaned, then turned over. Draco chuckled until he heard her smack her lips and mumble, "More."

His amused expression softened. More. He'd given her more last night. He'd given her everything. And received the same back.

Once they'd admitted their feelings for the other, things had escalated rather quickly. Somehow they made it back to his bedroom, half stumbling while their kisses and touches became clumsy and frantic. Draco struggled to get the soaked dress off his witch, but it seemed determined to fight him by stubbornly clinging to her skin. Hermione watched his frustrated attempts with a growing restlessness. Feeling that patience was no longer a virtue, she vanished her clothes, muttering, "Never liked that dress anyway."

Draco's breath caught once the aggravating garment was gone, and he was able to gaze at the wonder of Hermione's body. She was perfect and delectable and…..too good to be true. That she would offer such a gift to him….a wretched, lame, shattered wizard with a dark past and uncertain future, was beyond his comprehension.

Giving her one last chance to back out, he cupped her face with his hands and asked, "Are you sure you want this?"

She nodded, her eyes filled with such tender trust, Draco was hardly able to look at them. "I've kept myself for this moment. I….I've saved myself for you."

Draco fought hard to keep his tears at bay. When had anyone ever showed him such devotion? Not trusting his voice, he nodded back, determined he would make her first time one for the books, despite his impediments. This amazing woman deserved no less.

He took his time, being careful to be gentle yet thorough. He attended to her patiently, making sure she was lost in the bliss of pleasure before thinking of his own needs. When he felt she was ready, he entered her in one, slow, fluid moment, remembering to cast two spells; the first, a contraceptive charm and the second, one that would keep her from feeling discomfort. Hermione noticed when his magic filled her.

"What was that?" she asked, still breathless after her high.

"Just a precaution so I won't hurt you, love." The last thing Draco wanted was for her to feel pain on his account.

"Draco….no. Undo the spell," she begged.

"Are you sure?"

She kissed him with a possessive hunger. "Please….I don't want to be numb. I want to feel everything you do."

Acquiescing, he did as she asked and lifted the spell. As soon as he did, Hermione gasped and her body stiffened.

"Crap….I was afraid of this. Should I pull out?"

"No…..just give me a moment." It wasn't really pain she was feeling; more a sensation of being overly full, of being stretched. Hermione concentrated on relaxing her muscles to help her body accommodate the intrusion. A few moments passed before she whispered, "I…..I think I'm ready now."

Draco had been holding his breath, hoping she would be okay, hoping he hadn't ruined the experience for her. When she gave him the go ahead, he sighed in relief and began a rhythmic rocking, making sure his strokes were slow and deep.

He felt it when she began to enjoy him. He felt it when her lush body began to writhe under his, turning him on so much, he forgot to go slow and instinctively sped up, his lips caressing her ear, telling her how good she felt. And when her timid mewls turned into loud moanings of his name, Draco reached his limit. "Hermione…...I …...I can't …."

Right before he came, he felt her walls begin to flutter around him. She cried out, an inarticulate sound of pleasure leaving her lips.

Oh, thank Merlin.

Draco gratefully let go, thinking as he did he'd found a new life goal; replacing every torment he'd ever given Hermione with offerings of ecstacy to take their place.

When he was through, he moved to the side, holding her sated body close to his. He was knackered and his arms felt like lead; it had been all he could do to keep himself from collapsing on her.

Maybe next time, she'd like to be on top.

He'd never realized before how strenuous lovemaking was. His past encounters had never been anything more than quick gratifications, but this….this had blown all of his other experiences out of the water. It hadn't been a taking, but a giving. For both of them. It made Draco realize Hermione's feelings for him were as real as his were for her. It was an astonishing thought…...he was such a faulty conglomeration of blood, bone and magic…..but he knew it was true; he'd felt it with his body and soul.

The lioness loved her broken little snake.

Draco was finally roused from his memories when he felt his witch lazily stretch, signalling she was awake.

Turning over, she gave him a sleepy smile. "Hey."

He smiled back, a gentle, open smile reserved just for her. "Morning, love."

Giving her nose a scratch, she asked, "What time is it?"

Draco glanced at the clock. "Nine-thirty."

"Oh, blast. Really? I have to be at Harry's by 10:30."

He tried not to show his disappointment. "Oh...well, would you like a cup of tea before you go? Toast?"

Hermione was already getting out of the bed. "Tea would be lovely. Do you mind if I take a quick shower while you make it?"

"Not at all." Damn, there goes this morning's fun.

"Is anything wrong?" She knew the tone of Draco's voice; she heard it when it changed.

He sighed; he loved his girlfriend's intelligence, but nothing got past her notice. "Just sorry we won't have time for another round."

Hermione grinned impishly. "Well, let's not abandon the idea. Can I get a rain check for this evening?"

"A rain….what?"

She shook her head. "Never mind. Can I come over this evening? Maybe stay the night?" she asked shyly.

Draco playfully tugged her back onto the bed. "I don't want you staying anywhere else. From now on, consider this our home, Granger."

She tucked her head under his chin as she held him close. Her smile threatened to overtake her entire face. "Got it. Our home, it is."

He had just made himself a ham sandwich and had taken his first bite when Draco heard the pop of apparition coming from his living room. Looking at the clock, it said 12:45.

Hermione's back already?

He hobbled out of the kitchen to find his mother standing by the window, looking out toward the lake. Draco quickly swallowed and asked, "Mother? What's wrong?"

It was the first time she'd come to the cottage since he'd moved out of the manor.

She turned around and gave him an enigmatic stare. "May I sit?"

Draco gestured at the sofa. Walking to it, Narcissa gracefully lowered her body and smoothed her robes. Once her son was sitting on the other end, she wasted no time getting to the point of her call. "Your father told me about his visit yesterday."

"Oh, did he," he responded mockingly. "Did he happen to mention that he barged into my bathroom with not even a by your leave?"

"He told me what he saw. He told me you and Miss Granger were in the shower together. That he'd found you in a compromising position. Then he told me you banished him."

Draco smirked, totally unrepentant. "Did Father enjoy his walk home?"

His mother huffed, exasperated. "I cannot pretend to understand your behavior these days. I know I didn't raise you to be so disrespectful."

"Did you give Father this same dressing down? Because the way he looked and spoke to my witch was despicable."

"DRACO, WE ARE NOT DISCUSSING YOUR FATHER!"

Draco stared in wonder. It was the first time his mother had ever shouted at him.

"Do you think I don't know what he is? Or what he's done?"

Truthfully, Draco didn't. He thought his mother preferred being ignorant.

"But I didn't come here to talk about his behavior. I came to to talk about yours and the way you're treating Miss Granger."

"Mother, calm yourself. Hermione and I are a modern couple. We don't hold to the old ways of...…"

"I am not speaking of your…..romantic activities. I know your purity in that regard was lost some time ago."

Draco cleared his throat, uncomfortable. "Then what are you…."

"I'm talking about you taking advantage of the life debt that girl owes you!"

Draco's jaw dropped. "You know about that?"

"Just because it's escaped your father's notice doesn't mean it's escaped mine. You're using her, Draco. It isn't right."

"How am I using her?"

He watched as his mother's eyes actually filled with tears.

Wait…...she's worried about Hermione?

"The magic will compel her to give you whatever you need. I know you're lonely here, Son. But to take advantage of Miss Granger just so she can warm your bed is an abuse of a magical bond."

Draco didn't like where this conversation was heading. "That...that's not true. I'm not using her, Mother. Contrary to what Father said, she's not some plaything to me." He stared into his mother's face, willing her to understand. "I love her. I intend to marry her, if she'll have me."

Narcissa's tears spilled over at that declaration. "Oh, my poor Son. I was afraid this would happen."

"What? That I wouldn't marry a pureblood?"

She shook her head as she wiped her tears from her cheeks. "No. I no longer believe any of that. It almost cost me my family."

Draco was stymied. Then what was his mother talking about? She wasn't making any sense.

"I'm not understanding, Mum. Just spit it out."

Narcissa s face crumpled with sorrow as she gently placed her warm hand over Draco's cold one. "I didn't want to be the one who would have to say it. But think, darling. Why would a member of the Light seek you out? Because of her part in the war, the entire wizarding world is now hers for the taking. She could literally have anyone she wanted."

Draco nodded. That was true. Hermione could have her pick. But for some strange reason, she'd chosen him.

"I know , Mother. But she wants me. She loves me."

"Forgive me, but I must speak bluntly. No witch of her caliber would willingly seek out a….disadvantaged wizard with whom to spend her life. Especially one with a dark mark. It's not logical, dear. Surely, you must have already questioned it in your mind. It has to be the life debt making her behave this way. You need to release her from it, Son. Not doing so would constitute supreme selfishness on your part."

Narcissa rose from her place on the sofa. She'd said enough. She hated to break her son's heart, but goodness knows, nothing was helped by keeping one's head in the sand.

She ought to know.

Draco needed to know the truth. He was far more honorable than his father and would do the right thing. She took one last look at his face, now a deathly pale color.

"If you truly love Miss Granger, you'll set her free from the debt she owes you."

A/N: Shut up, Narcissa! SHUT UP!

One more chapter left. And maybe a short epilogue.