Draco paced in front of the glittering golden gates that separated Les Champs D'accouplement from the French Alps. He had insisted on greeting his parents, as opposed to sending Alister. The concierge was not exactly thrilled to be relieved of his duty. Draco assumed it was because he wanted to get dirt on him from his overly talkative mother, but he agreed after Hermione backed up his request.

His thumbnail scratched lightly against the soft flaxen facial hair he forgot to rid his chin and cheeks of this morning while showering. He had found an easy routine with Hermione over the past two weeks, and had actually come to enjoy Les Champs D'accouplement far more than he originally anticipated. Together they would explore the grounds, when free time allowed of course, attend Couplage, and bid goodbye to the departing Veela as they made their return to their home countries. Of course, there was always time in between the busy schedules for them to get lost in each others' arms (and bodies).

His loafers sank into the morning dewed grass, marking his trail as he moved back and forth, his eyes glossing over as the possibilities of how this meeting was going to go played through his mind. He knew his parents would recognise Hermione immediately. She had gone to school with him from eleven to eighteen. She was the valedictorian of their graduating glass (a title that his father insisted was stolen away from him, despite the fact Draco was not even the second best in his class) and had, at the time, felt like a thorn in his side growing up. Would his father spew more Pureblood ideology that clearly held no business in something as sacred as this? Being part Veela did not require a person to be born of magic, which meant that, even if he had not come to this conclusion long ago, the beliefs his father held steadfast were utter fucking bullshit.

While Draco would be quick to defend Hermione, should she need it, he was not eager to start a row with his father anytime soon. Perhaps, just maybe, everything would work out okay. This place did… something to people once they crossed through the gates. The air seemed to smell better, the world seemed light. Perhaps his father wouldn't be as outraged as Draco assumed.

The soft pop of apparition pulled him from his thoughts and his head lifted. Clammy hands slid into the front pockets of his gray trousers, hoping to wipe away some of the sweat from them as he moved into the middle of the threshold. "Mother… Father," he greeted. Although his face was void of any emotion, his eyes danced with pure delight.

"Oh, Draco! You look so… happy!" Narcissa cooed as she gathering up the length of her traveling gown and robes, lifting the hemline as she crossed from the earth into the grounds. As she approached her son, her right hand went up to touch his cheek, thumb stroking affectionately across his stubbled cheek before she leaned up to press her lips against the high of his cheekbone.

Lucius dutifully followed his wife, long blonde hair brushed to perfection and pin straight across his shoulders and back. His cane guided his movement towards his boy and when Narcissa pulled back, a pair of silver eyes that matched the hue of Draco's scanned his son from head to toe. "Bliss certainly does become you, Draco. However, it seems with your head in the clouds you might have forgotten the… image Malfoy men strive to keep."

Normally, Draco would blush in humiliation at his father's subtle hint at his appearance. In truth, Draco was probably the most over-dressed member still at Les Champs D'accouplement, with the exception of his parents, of course. He wore black loafers, gray trousers, and a jewel colored button-down that that complimented his complexion and eyes like it was bespoke for him (surprise, it had been). It wasn't what he wore that was the issue. It was the fact his shirt was untucked, and the first three buttons left purposefully undone, exposing his alabaster skin to the warm summer sun.

But now, having been in there for two weeks, he laughed at the insult, his hand lifting to bat away his mother's from his cheek before his fingers rubbed across his stubbled jaw. "Luckily, there are no photographers or business associates to see the horror of an untucked oxford."

As Lucius bristled, Narcissa bit back her laughter as she moved to her husband's side, her arm weaving through his to hold his forearm loosely. "Lucius, be kind. The boy's just found his mate… remember those early days? You hardly remembered to put on trousers, let alone shave."

Draco averted his gaze from his parents as Lucius chuckled fondly at the memory and leaned down to steal a small kiss from his wife. "Okay, you two. Despite the atmosphere of this place, which I would like to point out you did little to warn me about, I do not want to witness you snogging over a memory nearly two centuries old."

Narcissa's head snapped towards her son, a dramatic gasp leaving her lips in response to his (entirely false) claim, but before she could reprimand him, blue eyes spotted the pink scar on the side of his neck and her heart leapt to her throat. "Draco! Is that-" Her voice trembled with overwhelming emotion. She knew he had written about finding his mate, but there was no mention of bonding to them yet.

Draco's hand rose, clapping over the side of throat as he turned towards his parents, watching as tears began to slip down his mother's cheek, and he let his hand fall surreptitiously to his side as he tried to find the right words.

"Come now, Narcissa. Don't pester the boy. He'll tell us more about it once he's ready...isn't that right, son?" Lucius patted his wife's hand on his arm and his chest swelled with a pride. All comments about his attire aside, Lucius was happy to know that Draco had clearly found love and made quick work of bonding himself to the girl.

"I will. Of course I will." Draco nodded, taking a deep breath before he looked back up to his parents with the smallest hint of a smile on his lips. Withdrawing his wand from his pocket, he flicked it towards the golden gates and slowly they closed, the magic forcing the malfunctioning lock shut with ease. "I would offer to show you around but...well… you've been here," Draco took two steps back until his footing found the hard stone path.

"We wouldn't want to see the grounds even if we had not. I would much rather meet your mate. I cannot believe you both bonded after only two weeks." Narcissa glided across the grass, the length of her gown sweeping over the earth as her husband guided her after Draco with a fond attentiveness only seen in the rarest of couples. It was obvious, even during the worst of times, how utterly devoted to one another they were.

His...mate. Right? That was the whole point for them to come, wasn't it? Try as he might, he couldn't seem to gulp down the lump in his throat that had lodged itself there minutes before his parents' arrival. "Oh… Are you sure you want to rush into-"

"You heard your mother, Draco. Where is this girl who stole your heart?" Lucius' crisp voice cut him off.

"She's just…finishing up some things, but I supposed we can begin towards the main tent if you'd like," Draco explained, carefully choosing his words as he spun on his heel so his back was to his parents when he lifted a hand to wipe it over his face in silent exasperation. This was not going to be easy, was it? "Since arriving here I have learned a lot of...surprising things about the Veela culture...Did either of you know that the first Veela were actually rumored to be descendents of Venus and Charlemagne? Muggles still have not realised he was magical, which is baffling but then again they likely are not looking at the facts."

Narcissa's thin curved brow lifted at her son's back, and her lips thinned before her eyes narrowed. He was up to something. He did not just ramble like this for no reason. She knew this tell of his far too well. "As excited as I am about you taking an interest in your familial history, what does this have to do with telling us about your mate, Draco?"

Draco glanced over his shoulder to his parents before forward once more, lifting a hand in a silent wave towards a couple sitting on a bench to admire the gardens they walked through. "Well, nothing I suppose. I was just wanting to point out that...well, because of the diverse background it might be best to keep an open mind…when you do meet her."

"You say that as if she is ugly, Draco," Lucius, ever the helpful figure in his son's life, remarked. "Lucky for you, a bit of magic can turn a Thestral into a Queen."

"Lucius!" Narcissa hissed, reaching out to slap her husband across the chest with her left hand before she shook her head disapprovingly at him. "Do not listen to your father, Draco. We will love her no matter what she looks like. Even your father was not my ideal type once I realised our bond, but it did not matter."

"Not your type?" Lucius' thin brows show up towards his hairline in genuine surprise. "And what exactly is your type, Mrs. Malfoy?"

"I find it hardly a secret I dated other wizards before we found each other, Lucius. You know very well I had accepted a date with Lucan Selwyn before my first heat hit." Narcissa waved off her husband who seemed to stiffen at the mention of her old beau. "My point was that, looks did not matter."

"Her appearance is not the issue. She is… more than adequate in that department," Draco reassured his parents despite the rising blush on his cheeks. He had never been more thankful they were following behind him than he was in the exact moment. "She is...stunning. It's just that-"

Just as Draco rounded a small bend in the path he nearly collided head first into a beautiful, leggy dark skinned woman who was walking hand in hand with a shorter dark haired man. Draco had met her after his first night with Hermione as she was part of Hermione's entourage and was one of the few he did not loathe to be around. "I'm sorry Estelle. I didn't see you." His hand went out to steady to witch who had stumbled back on the path.

Her dimpled smile widened at Draco as he steadied her and she laughed. "Head in the clouds again, Draco?" she teased. "I was just telling Denji about how you nearly forgot to button your shirt before your meeting with Minister Müller."

Draco shook his head, his hand moving from Estelle's shoulder to brush across the back of his neck sheepishly. "That was less forgetfulness and more your Queen not knowing how to keep her hands to herself," he explained.

"Ma Reine's eagerness can be easily forgiven," Estelle laughed, looking down to her mate who was tugging at her wrist before nodding his head for them to continue down the path. "It seems my own mate might be in the same position as yours. I will see you this evening, Mon Roi."

Draco winced as the title slipped from the Veela's tongue. He had only begun to understand what Hermione meant by the old habits of the people here. They had both insisted everyone call them by their given names, but alas it seemed to make not a bit of difference.

"Draco," His mother's voice rose several octaves, taking on an almost shrill tone as she clutched Lucius' arm for support. "Did that woman just- are you?...Is your mate the Queen!?" Crystal blue eyes flashed between her son and husband, wide with shock. This day just kept getting better and better. Never in her lifetime did she expect there to be another Veela Queen, and now she had just heard her son was BONDED to her.

"Uh… Well, yes. She is the Queen but-"

"Well done, Draco. Nothing less for a Malfoy." Lucius' chest swelled as his hand clapped over Narcissa's that tightened on his arm and he gave it a small squeeze. "We have had many instances of male heirs marrying Queens in our family line. It does not shock they were chosen to be together."

Merlin, this was going to be a hell of a shock for him, wasn't it?

"Hush Lucius, do not try to steal this away from him. This is… this is wonderful! I have only corresponded with the Queen via owl, and only hoped to meet her when we came. Draco, you must take us to her at once!"

"Wouldn't you like me to show you to your cottage first? We selected one that was recently refinished so you could have more modern amenities available during your stay." Draco knew his attempt to sway his mother was feeble, but he had to try. Perhaps if they settled in, Draco might be able to ease them into the idea that his mate-their Queen-was not exactly what his parents would consider traditional.

"It almost makes me think you're ashamed of us, Draco. The way you keep insisting we delay our meeting." Narcissa's big blue eyes flashed at her son with a look she had perfected ever since he turned thirteen: mom-guilt. "Do you not want us to meet your bride?"

"Bride?" Draco croaked, his adam's apple running the length of his throat as he finally managed to swallow the lump he'd held all afternoon. "Circe, let's not get ahead of ourselves, Mother. We just bonded."

"Oh please, like a wedding is such a far-fetched idea. You've bonded with the Queen. Of course there will be a wedding. Any self respecting woman would agree," Narcissa scoffed, lifting her wand hand towards her boy, and she waved her fingers at her son in a silent command to lead the way to the woman in question.

Draco hesitated for a moment, silver eyes flickering between his parents as he debating just telling them right here in the middle of the walkway and ripping the proverbial band aid off. Letting out a slow, long suffering sigh he nodded before turning and moving up the stone path in silence.

He could hear his parents' hushed whispers behind him as they moved through the grounds, his mother likely already planning the guest list to a wedding he was not sure would ever happen. It wasn't that he did not want to marry her, but it was still so soon. Beyond that, he was not even sure that Hermione would accept given her independent nature if he had asked.

Ushering his parents into the main tent, which had been magically cleaned since last night's Couplage, Draco lead them through the large hall, down the aisle between the seating areas scattered about. His loafers made no noise as he moved towards the periwinkle door on the far right of the back wall, but he knew Hermione would feel his presence the closer he got, for he could feel her too. It was like a growing warmth that began in the center of his chest and radiated out until it ran to the tips of his toes and top of his head. It reminded him of how his house elves would wrap him in a warmed towel as a small child after his baths, or the way hot butterbeer ran down his throat on a cold winter's day.

His hand waved over the doorknob and the lock audibly clicked open before the door swung slowly in. Draco moved in first, moving to the side so his back pressed into the soft wood of the door as he gestured for his parents to enter their bedchambers.

Hermione lifted her head at the sound of the door being opened and when she saw Draco's face, her heart swelled. She could feel his rising dread, but even without the bond she would have been able to note his feelings based on the apathetic expression he wore. It had taken her nearly two weeks to get him to smile, laugh and show any sort of emotion beyond lust and disinterest. She knew from their youth together that it took years of practice for him to learn to void his emotions, and that it might take years for him to learn it was okay to express himself. Even with the small progress they had made, it appeared just being around his parents brought that edge back to her mate. This was something that Hermione knew she had to fix immediately. Draco would likely never stand up to his father, but she held no fear for the Malfoy patriarch. Beyond that, perhaps her title would be able to provide the clout needed for him to not be such an arse.

Rising from the chair, Hermione let the hem of her dress drop to the floor from where it had been gathered at the tops of her thighs. She wore a silk gown, cornflower blue with thick gold ropes that ran across her shoulders and criss-crossed over her back. The empire waist hugged her ribs and accentuated her figure in a way that seemed to add height to her short stature. Wild curls were left loose, per Draco's request, and hung down to the middle of her back. Bare feet carried her across the room as a soft smile fell across her painted lips.

Narcissa was the first to enter the chamber, her eyes running around the room in appreciation of the selected decor, and when they fell on the familiar witch they widened in shock. She knew almost immediately who she was. The graduating class from Hogwarts during Draco's time was not very large. Fifty students at most, which meant over the years of his education she had become familiar with faces of the students when she would come to visit. Of course, Draco had made sure to point out the swot of a Muggleborn when they visited on several occasions in his complaints about her as a young man.

Lucius, far less subtle than his wife's quiet surprise, froze in the threshold of the room. "...Your mate is the Mu-"

"Muggleborn. Why yes I am, Mr. Malfoy. Draco must get his keen attention to detail from you," Hermione finished for the Malfoy patriarch before he could utter something he would regret. Rising up on her painted toes once she reached her mate, she pressed a soft kiss against his cheek as her right hand rested on his chest.

"Mother...Father. I'd like to introduce you to Hermione...Officially." Draco's arm curled around her thin waist, his fingers brushing across the soft fabric to curl around her hip bone in an almost possessive hold and almost instantly he began to relax. Her touch, her scent and just...her. She managed to ease his worry just by physically being in his reach. He knew the bonding was part of that reason, but in this moment he did not care. He was just happy to have her by his side once more.

"Thank you both for making the trip out here. I was happy to hear you were able to clear your schedules for the weekend." Hermione flashed an award-winning smile to Lucius who seemed to be taking the news in a much slower pace than his wife.

Narcissa let her eyes find her husband before she turned toward Hermione, her spine straightening before she took a step towards her. This was...unconventional, yes. But she was their Queen, and their son's mate! She was not going to let her husband's ignorance ruin what was supposed to be a joyous time. "It is so wonderful to meet you… officially." Taking another hesitant step towards the curly haired witch, she reached out slowly, giving Hermione plenty of time to move away before she took Hermione's hand in hers for a quick squeeze as she leaned in to press two soft kisses on her cheeks.

The greeting was not something Draco nor Hermione had expected, but it did not stop Draco from allowing a shit-eating grin from washing over his features. His smile was so wide he was certain his molars would be showing but he could not repress it despite knowing his father would likely be near horrified. Thankfully the man looked far too concerned with that his mother was doing now.

"You as well, Mrs. Malfoy-"

"Oh, no. You mustn't call me that. Mrs. Malfoy is my mother-in-law and makes me sound horrendously old. No, you may call me Mother," Narcissa corrected immediately, lifting her right hand to touch Hermione's cheek softly just like she would with her own kin. Her thumb stroked across the soft tint of burgundy her lipstick left on Hermione's sunkissed skin to remove it before she took a careful step back to give the witch room.

Hermione let out a soft laugh, her cheeks blossoming in the softest of blushes as she nodded. "Alright. I just want to also convey how much I appreciate the hard work you have been doing on behalf of the board with the Ministry. Your networking skills are truly astounding, and without the connections you made we would have never been able to get the law passed."

"Oh, it was nothing," Narcissa insisted.

Lucius scoffed, knowing full well the amount of hours his wife had dedicated to that cause. She was being modest, or at least trying to come off as such. When he felt three sets of eyes turn on to him at the noise, he reached up to tug at the collar of his shirt. Under normal circumstances he would have left the room, and would not have bothered to hold reception with the witch. He would have called his son mad, and threatened to pull him from the will, but these were not normal circumstances, were they? She was Muggleborn, yes, but clearly there was some sort of ancient magic in her blood if she had claimed the Queen status. And with the bond in place, he knew that it was either accept her as his son's partner, or never speak to him again if he snubbed her.

Setting back his shoulders, Lucius took two large steps toward Hermione and Draco. He noted how his son's hand curled just a bit tighter around Hermione when he approached, as if to protect her, and Lucius bit back a mocking laugh. Like he was stupid enough to do something to their Queen. Without a word, Lucius extended his hand toward Hermione, palm pointing toward the ceiling. When her hand was slowly placed in his, he bent at the waist, long flaxen hair falling from his shoulders to block his face from view as he pressed a kiss onto the back of her hand upon her knuckles. "Ma Reine…It was our pleasure to help you."

Hermione glanced over to Draco, thin curved brows nearly in her hairline at the gesture, and she withdrew her hand from Lucius' when he rose once more. "My name is Hermione. I know you both know this...please, no formalities are needed in my chambers. It is bad enough that everyone here refers to me as such," Hermione insisted before sweeping her hand over towards the breakfast table in her room. She had magically enlarged the table to seat four, and duplicated the plain wooden chairs so each space was filled. "I've ordered us a light lunch if you both would not mind joining us. If you're too tired from traveling, I understand and can have it sent to Alpine Emerald for you."

"Lunch sounds marvelous. It will give me more time to get to know you, and discuss your and Draco's plans on upcoming nuptials." Narcissa moved forward quickly, her arm linking into Hermione's and she peeled her away from her son before either could react to what was happening. She began to walk arm in arm with Hermione toward the breakfast table, a sly grin flashing at her son as she passed him.

"Nuptials?" Hermione's voice took on an almost comical squeak as she was dragged away. Her head snapped up, and she shot Draco a confused plea for help.

"Mother, I already told you. We have not discussed any plans to marry. It's only been two weeks!" Draco moved quickly to follow, offering Hermione a small shrug as he mouthed an apology to her. He heard Lucius chuckle fondly at Narcissa's eagerness to have him married, and it was then he realised that the worry that had eaten at him since the sun rose that morning was all for nothing.

Narcissa only released Hermione's arm from hers once they reached the table and she insisted the witch sit beside her instead of next to Draco, much to the amusement of both men. The four settled into an easy rhythm as they ate and discussed the progression of Hermione's bill with the MACUSA. Draco and Hermione were both thankful no further talk of weddings came, but there was a quiet understanding between the two that the conversation they had not yet had did need to be discussed sooner than either had anticipated.

It was only once the lunch plates were cleared, and Lucius brought up Draco and Hermione returning to England, that Draco had remembered the true reason for asking his parents to come visit.

Reaching across the table, Draco took Hermione's hand in his own, nimble fingers lacing with hers, and his thumb stroked across the outside of her palm softly. "About that. We actually do have a reason for asking you both to return to Les Champs D'accouplement. I wanted to tell you in person, and there was no flexibility in Hermione's schedule to allow us to return to Wiltshire, even for a weekend."

"And what news was so important that it could not be told via owl?" Lucius questioned over the rim of his glass of rosé before bringing it to his lips for a small sip.

Hermione gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, as if to provide him the courage needed.

Taking a deep breath Draco pulled his eyes from Hermione's and he looked between his parents, knowing the impact of this blow might not go over as smoothly as the rest of their afternoon had gone, but surely they would understand why, wouldn't they? "I will not be returning to England for the foreseeable future. Unless you will allow me to work from here, then I will need to resign from Malfoy Industries as well."

"What?" Lucius choked out over his cough as he set his wineglass down with a crisp thunk on the table.

"Hermione and I intended to stay here...in Les Champs D'accouplement."

Lucius looked bewildered at the idea, his brow knitting as he reached up to push his hair back off his shoulders. "Doing what exactly? I know it is customary for the Queen to hold residence here but-"

"Hermione had begun to convert the oral history of Veela to text, in addition to documenting our culture, customs and the hierarchy of our people. This is no small task, as I am sure you both know. Here she will have access to documents that cannot be taken from the grounds due to magical restrictions. I am going to take over her work with the MACUSA. With my background in solicitation I believe we can make some real progress," Draco explained.

"We have just begun working with the coalition of Foreign Ministries to secure proper education and funding for Veela programs around the globe. Draco's expertise would be...incredible. It is a cause close to my heart, and I might be over reaching by saying this, but I think it might the same for him now." Hermione knew this conversation should be left between their family, but the bond made her feel compelled to defend him. Draco, an only child, was the apple of his parents' eye. Even she knew this, and she knew this was not going to be easy on his parents, but on the other hand, her own had grown used to the distance and now came to visit monthly. Something that she was sure Narcissa and Lucius could do as well.

"But surely you can do this work from England...right? I mean… Hermione, aren't your parents there as well?" Narcissa reached out, fingers curling around the thin stem of her wineglass and she took a large gulp, as if the wine was going to make the news go down any easier.

"Like Draco said, I cannot remove diaries and archives from the grounds, but beyond that, if i left, who would help run Les Champs D'accouplement?" Hermione questioned, brown eyes softening on Narcissa.

"Surely there is some competent person you can leave in charge," Lucius scoffed. "Draco, you cannot expect me to just… find someone to replace you. You're needed within the family business."

"No, father. We have decided to stay. This really was not a negotiation with either of you. The decision to not return was not one that came easy. Our people-they need their Queen here, in Les Champs D'accouplement." Draco was quick to shut down the possibility of further argument on the fact. He had never stood up to his father before like this, but he knew he needed to because this was no longer just about himself. He had his mate to consider...and their people now. This was beyond just running his family's business. "Hermione did not know of her heritage when she went into her first heat. Her story is not unique either. We need to be here to help people who find their blood status like she did, but beyond that, we want to be here. To help them and educate… well. I supposed the world on our culture."

"How long to you intended to stay here, then?" Narcissa set her glass directly in front her, her index finger circling the rim of her wineglass in careful thought.

Draco pursed his lips, shifting his mouth to the side as he let the question sink in and he let his eyes fall to look at his own glass of wine to avoid his mother's inquiring gaze. "Uh… I supposed… for forever."

"Forever?" Narcissa breathed in disbelief and she pushed her wine glass away after draining its contents in a quick, very unladylike gulp. Sending him to that blasted school in the highlands was hard enough when he was eleven, but now this?! Countries away...and forever?! "Draco, let's not be hasty. What about your father's business? You're supposed to be taking over next year!"

"Well… surely there is some competent person you can leave in charge… right?" Draco's silver eyes lifted to his mother's and he heard Hermione cover a small laugh with a well placed cough.

"There is nothing we can do to sway your decision?" Lucius questioned.

"I'm afraid not." Hermione gave both of Draco's parents a sympathetic smile.

"But...Draco," Narcissa's voice was near pleading as she turned the full force of her eyes on her son. "I'll miss you."

Draco let go of Hermione's hand and he rose from the table, moving quickly to his mother's side where he kneeled down next to her, both of his hands taking one of her own as he watched tears beginning to well in the corners of her eyes. "You can come whenever you'd like. I will always have a cottage for you and father should you want to come. All you need to do is show up," he promised. He knew this was not going to be easy on her, more so than his father, but hoped that knowing she had a standing invitation here might make the transition from living under the same roof for the past twenty-four years to being thousands of kilometers away more bearable. "Although, if I am being honest… some notice would be appreciated," he joked.

Narcissa laughed, despite the two large tears and slipped from the corners of her eyes and she swatted at her son's shoulder. "Oh...fine. Alright. But do not think I will not be using that cottage at a minimum of twice a month," Narcissa warned both Hermione and Draco. "And, Yule will be held in the Manor this year. No exceptions. You both shall be there."

"We wouldn't miss it," Hermione laughed as she stood from the table, her hands smoothing out the soft cascade of her dress. "But that means you both must spend the coming of the new year here...with us."

"And miss Nott's party?" Lucius questioned with a lifted brow. "Sounds ideal to me. I quiet hate those masquerade balls the old bastard insists on holding every year."

Narcissa sighed, shaking her head at Lucius before she stole her hand back from her son. "I think this is more news than my heart can handle to take today. I think I am in need of a lie down before you tell me more," she teased, and when Draco stood from his kneeling position to offer her his hand to help her up, she happily took it. "Just promise me one thing, Hermione." Narcissa glanced over to the curly haired witch.

"What is that?" Hermione questioned, her head cocking slightly to the side.

"That when the time comes...and I know it will so do not tell me otherwise, you will give birth to any future child in England at the Manor...as all heirs should be," Narcissa insisted as Draco and Lucius both let out a groan. "What? This needed to be said! She might be stealing away my boy, but I will be damned if we forgo years of tradition."

Hermione blushed a deep crimson that she was sure reached down her neck as she struggled to find the right words to say. "...When the time comes… however far out that may be… I will be open to the idea...but no promises."

Narcissa and Lucius bid their goodbyes to Draco and Hermione once it was clear no further talk of potential grandchildren nor weddings were coming. Draco had offered to walk them to the cottage, but Lucius insisted he knew the way. Instead, he left them at the door to the Couplage tent with a promise of finding them the following morning for breakfast. Draco made his way back to his chambers with a spring to his step, his soul much lighter than it had been in years, and when he entered the room Hermione was leaning against one of the posts to their bed, her hands bracing herself against the pole behind her as she tracked his movement through the room like a panther stalking its prey.

Draco picked up on her pheromones instantly, the mouth-watering smell sending a bolt of electricity to his cock immediately as his eyes flashed with a similar heat that hers held. Leaning back on the soft wood of the door, Draco smirked as the tip of his tongue pressed into his canine. "Really, My Queen?" he teased. "My parents just left...besides, don't you have research to finish?"

Hermione shrugged, feigning innocence as she bit her bottom lip. "It can wait… but if you would rather me take care of myself because you are too tired I have a drawer full of devices that can assist me." Moving her right hand from behind her, she reached up and hooked her fingers around the thick gold robes that held her dress over her shoulders and she very carefully slipped them from their hold on her body, sending the beautiful dress pooling around her feet.

Draco's pupils dilated with a familiar heat as his eyes traveled down her curvy figure. The air between them was building steadily with an electricity that raised the hairs on his arms and he tilted his head to the side as he watched her hands run across the soft plains of her stomach, the fingers on her right hand dipping below her belly button on a one way path towards the thick patch of dark curls at the apex of her thighs. He was half tempted to call her bluff and leave her to her drawer of deviance but he knew his own will power would never allow him to just sit and watch when his mate was in need. Just as her fingertips breached the beginning of her mons, Draco pushed off the wall, his hands going to his neck and making quick work of the buttons as he crossed the room.

No words were needed; the look in his eye told Hermione exactly what was to come. With her heart picking up an erratic rhythm, she abandoned touching herself to reach for him when he drew near. Her hand curled around the back of his neck and she pulled him down until their lips met in a fierce kiss. His tongue invaded her mouth, sweeping and curling around her own as his hands ran the length of her sides, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

Two weeks was not enough to learn every part of him, but it was enough for her to know that forever with this wizard was going to be just like this kiss. Full of passion, promise and just a hint of pain. Draco and Hermione's relationship had been complicated, but it seemed each day they spent together was closing the old wounds like dittany.

With one hand on the back of his neck, holding his mouth sealed to her own, the other dropped and quickly unbuttoned and pulled the zip of his trousers down. When she pushed them off of his hips, she did not expect to find skin beneath instead of the usual pair of boxers that were normally in place. Breaking the kiss to verify her finding was indeed correct and not just a miscalculation in her brain's part, she inhaled sharply when her eyes dropped to see his rapidly hardening cock. "Draco!" she teased, looking up as she bit her bottom lip trying to suppress a wicked grin.

Chuckling, the kiss swollen wizard shrugged before jutting his hips forward so his cock could rub against the soft skin on her hip and lower abdomen. "Don't act so surprised...this just makes it easier for me to ravish you, my queen." Winking, he reached up and slipped his fingers in the side of her hair, curling until the tug bordered between painful and pleasure before he brought her in for another powerful kiss.

Hermione wasted no more time teasing her mate's lack of undergarments. Partially because she rarely wore her own nowadays but also because she would much rather focus her efforts on getting his hard cock nestled inside her. She moved slowly from leaning on the poster of her bed to crawling backwards across the mattress, careful to keep their lips locked as she tugged him with her until he forced her back so her head lay on the pillows.

Draco let out a low growl as he guided her onto the bed before straddling her hips. His hand dropped, fingers curling around the base of his cock as he looked down at his mate with an almost lascivious glimmer in his eyes. "You know, Hermione...there is something I've been dying to do to you since sixth year." His voice had dropped several octaves from earlier, taking on a thick baritone that made the witch shiver and press her thighs together.

"Oh yeah?" Her pink tongue darted between her lips as her eyes flickered between his hand stroking his cock and his face. Her chest rose and fell with slow, deep breaths as he began to scoot up her body with small shifts of his knees on the mattress.

"Oh...yes. I knew you always had a big mouth, you see...and I used to think of all the ways...I might be able to shut you up." He smirked as he edged his way up her body until he hovered over her ribs. He could feel the rise and fall of her heavy breaths in the inside of his thighs as he looked down his nose as her. "Open up, My Queen."

Hermione complied instantly, plump lips parting to reveal a perfectly pink tongue and her head lifted off the pillow to meet his cock halfway in eager anticipation. Her eyes closed as the saltiness of his precum swept across her tongue as he pushed his cock between her lips. She heard his hand brace himself against the headboard of their bed as he arched his hips forward, careful not to force too much of himself in her mouth just yet.

"Good girl," he hissed, his fingers tightening their hold on the base of his cock as she hollowed her cheeks on his length. He moved in slow, calculated thrusts, hooded eyes watching her face as he fucked her mouth.

Her hands rested on his thighs, fingertips pressing against the ropes of muscles, feeling them flex and loosen with each shallow thrust into her mouth. As he worked into a slow rhythm, her right hand moved slowly from his thigh to slide the narrow opening of his body and hers and she let her fingers brush through the wet curls between her legs. Her index and middle finger worked small circles against her clit as her legs fell open wider to provide her more room for her fingertips.

When her moans increased, sending vibrations through his cock in her mouth, Draco looked behind him to see what he felt her hand doing and a heady groan was released. "Fuck, Hermione," he breathed, blown eyes watching her fingers work herself towards release. "You're so fucking gorgeous," he whispered, turning to look back down at her and he leaned forward more so his cock hit the back of her throat with a quick thrust.

She held off the primal instinct to flee when her oxygen was cut off as his cock blocked the back of her throat, instead focusing on hollowing her cheeks around him and she let her tongue swirl across the bottom side of his manhood as he withdrew himself until he was completely withdrawn from her lips.

Before she could protest, Draco swung his right leg from over her body and he fell back on the bed with his back to the headboard, legs extended out with a wide stance. Reaching over, he pulled her up and into his lap with a little help from her, until she straddled his waist. One hand on her hip, the other curling around her mons so his fingertips pressed between her folds to see how prepared she was for this, Draco let out a soft moan when he felt her nectar already soaking the inside of her thighs. It wasn't love, at least not yet, but Draco knew this adoration that he felt for this witch was beyond biology. She was perfect in and outside of the bedroom and entirely his own.

Hermione's thighs trembled with anticipation as he let his index finger brush against her clit with soft teasing strokes before he parted her labia with his index and middle fingers. "D-Draco," she whimpered, her hips shifting forward in an attempt to bring his hard cock into contact with her burning heat.

"Impatient, my Queen?" he teased as he adjusted his seat on the bed, carefully lining his cock up with her swollen core, and with a small nudge from the hand on her hip, he guided her down onto his cock.

Hermione let out a throaty moan, her eyes fluttering shut as she sank lower and lower until he completely filled her. Her hands moved to his shoulders, fingernails pressing crescent moons into the soft skin on his shoulder. She began a slow rhythm with her mate's encouragement, lifting up onto her knees and sinking low on his cock, careful not to ever fully release him from her body as she rode him.

The further they moved towards oblivion, the more frantic her hips rocked down to meet his. The soft sounds of their bodies joining filled their chamber and the bedframe squeaked in protest. No matter how many times they had done this, the fever built into their need for one another consumed them both until they were a pile of mingled ash.

Hermione found her release first with encouragement from his thumb strumming across her clit and filthy whispers of how much he loved her pussy in her ear. As her body spasmed around him, she clung to him, arms wound around his neck and her face buried in his shoulder, her hips rocking against his to ride out the drudging waves of her orgasm, and as her body milked his cock, he quickly followed.

It was still late afternoon, and they each had duties to attend to around the camp, and research to finish, but it seemed those were all far from their minds as Draco slipped down the mattress, tugging her with him as he was not quite ready to pull his softening cock from her warm core. His arms circled her frame, fingertips from his hand stroking her spine as he pressed soft kisses across the light smattering of freckles that ran over the bridge of her nose and the tops of her cheeks.

Hermione melted into his hold, her leg still hooked over his thigh and her foot dangled against his lower back. The steady thump of his heart could be felt against her own and quickly they found sync with one another as their heavy breaths steadied. It did not take long for the promise of sleep in the warm afternoon sunlight to take hold. Like a milk-drunk cat lounging in the window, Hermione quickly drifted off against his chest.

Draco looked down to her, the corners of his eyes wrinkling as a small grin pulled at the corners of his lips, and he leaned down to press a kiss against her forehead before he let his chin rest on the crown of her head as his own eyes drifted closed. He had never imagined that when he showed up to Les Champs D'accouplement two weeks prior he might find happiness in the arms of his mate, and while the world had a funny way of bringing them together, he knew, without a shred of a doubt, that Hermione Granger was meant for him, and he was going to spend the rest of his life at her side, with or without a bloody ring.