A/N: Well I've had a lot of feed back on this last chapter! :) YAY! I'm so glad you all enjoyed it! I love getting emails about who all followed and reviewed! Thanks to Dark-Supernatural-Angel (your opinion is always helpful), to the guest Claudia (I'm glad you're enjoying it!), to allisath (so happy that you like my A/N's! lol) and shaymars (Sorry for the cliffhangers! It makes the next chapter more fun to write) So so so sorry for my absence! Haven't had my grove for a while. But I'm back and am going to try to post more often, though no promises sadly:( So here we go:) a hot cup of tea and I'm off bwahaha!

Chapter 7: Skin

"Draco...dont...stop...oh!"

"Bloody minx...I have no...intention...of stopping!" Draco grasped her hands and pinned them above her head. Her back arched off the bed, as he bit down on her neck. "Hermione," Draco whispered over and over. Skin. Her skin was addictive. The feel of her soft skin pressed against him in the most intimate way. He was lost in her...

Hermione jerked awake from her dream. The memories from last night came flooding back. She and Draco had...done stuff. Shaking her head she felt movement beside her. A strong-arm wrapped protectively around her waist, pulling her back against a warm body. "Good morning, Granger," The voice whispered. "Back to first name bases, are we Malfoy?" Chuckling he nuzzled her neck. "I figured they were uttered in the heat of the moment I suppose."

"I think after last night, we're past using our last names, Draco." Hermione rolled over to face him. He smiled lazily back at her. Freckles. She had freckles on her nose. Her hair was a mess sticking in all directions. Every bit of a goddess, if he ever saw one. Draco kissed the tip of her nose and ran his hand lazily up her side, caressing the curves that he had lovingly gotten to know last night. Several times. She smiled back at him, that beautiful smile she only gave him. "Hermione." Her name flowed off his tongue like honey.

Draco rolled on top of her, kissing her sweetly. She responded back to his kiss, threading her fingers in his hair. "Gra-Hermione...what say you, about a repeat of last night?" Laughing she said, "Which time?"

"All four times." He smirked down at her. Merlin she was beautiful. "I think we can manage that." Leaning up to kiss him, she pressed her body against him. Moaning into her mouth he pressed her flat against the bed. Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco's neck, relishing in the soft skin beneath her fingers.

"Draco, dear do you thi-" The door to Draco's room burst open, Narcissia walking through, stopping mid sentence. "Oh my! I'm sorry to interrupt I-I-I didn't know you two would be...still in bed...together...like this. I'm just going to leave." She stood frozen in the door frame her eyes fixed on the king size bed. "Mother! Have you ever heard of knocking?" Draco jerked the covers higher over their naked bodies, as Hermione hid her face in Draco's chest.

"I'll just be going then." She turned on her heel, shutting the door with a soft click. Draco let out a sigh and looked down at the shaking form beneath him. "Don't tell me you're embarrassed now are you, Granger?" Laughter filled his ears as he moved her bushy hair from her face. "I'm not embarrassed. I just find it funny."

"How was that funny? I find it mortifying." He rolled off of her and sat up, still looking down at her. "My mother has never just walked into my room. Well not since the day she caught me looking at Witch Babes when I was twelve..."

"You got caught looking at porn? Oh that's to rich." Hermione burst into a fit of giggles. She ducked as he hurled a pillow at her. "Oh come now, dear, don't tell me you're embarrassed to be found in bed by your mother now do you?" She smiled at him, sitting up she ran her hand down his chest. "I think it's kinda sexy. The thought of being caught...with your lips on mine as you slowly enter me...me moaning your name..."

"You keep talking like that, Granger, you're never leaving this room." He smirked at her as he leaned over to kiss her. Pulling back she smiled at him again and said, "Maybe that's what I want. Ever think about that?" Giving him one last kiss she stood from the bed and began picking up their clothing from the night before. "What are you doing? The house elves will do the cleaning."

"I made the mess and I'm going to clean it up. There's no sense in making a mess and having someone who doesn't even get paid to clean it up. Now come on, Malfoy, help me pick up." She moved about the room picking up most of her clothes. Draco leaned against the headboard watching as she walked around the room stark naked bending and picking up things, bending and picking up things. He could maybe get used to her cleaning up after herself. It definitely would make his mornings better. Especially if he could get a quick shag in. That always made for a good morning. Well it did for him at least.

Draco sat in the bed with his head cocked to the side, a small smirk playing on his lips. She was fascinating, to say the least. Ever move she made seemed calculated. Almost as if it was a routine she had. A tapping at his bedroom window broke him from his musings. A squeak came from Hermione as she tried to cover herself. "Don't want the owl to see your goodies, Granger?"

"That's Harry's owl, Hedwig. I have a feeling that there's a howler or a strongly written letter from Ginny and Harry both with him." The cheerful glow faded from her face and was replaced with an emotion he wasn't sure about. Guilt maybe? Or remorse? Whatever the case he didn't like it. He couldn't figure out why it made him angry to see the way she looked. And to know it was caused by Potter. Standing with a huff he walked across the room and let the owl in. It flew to his desk and dropped the letters on it. Draco threw a treat at it, but it wouldn't budge. "I suppose it's to wait for a reply. Bloody git."

Hermione pulled on a shirt that was draped over a chair and made her way to the desk. A letter was addressed to her and one to Draco. "Here. This one has your name on it." She tossed the envelope to Draco and fingered the one with her name on it. At least they weren't howlers. She popped the seal and pulled out three sheets of parchment paper. Ginny's hand writing filled the pages front and back.

'Mione,

What have you done? Harry's throwing a fit. He wouldn't stop pacing the floor last night. I had to slip him a sleeping drought into his tea, just to get him to stop moving. I tried to talk him down last night, but he's convinced that, Malfoy, has slipped you a love potion or cursed you. I told him that there was no way possible that you'd allow that to happen. I'm worried for you, Hermione. I know that the, Malfoy's have reformed and all but...He's Malfoy. The ferret. I just want...

Hermione threw the letter on the desk and looked out the window. Draco propped up against the wall and smirked down at his letter. "So what does yours say?" She inquired.

"Oh nothing but the Weaslet telling me that she'll , and I quote, 'hex my balls into the next century, if she gets any idea that you've treated our Hermione wrong', and quote. I think it's quite touching actually. Seems you're really loved, Granger." He handed the one page letter to Hermione and watched as she scanned the page a small smile on her lips. "I see you barely made it off the first page of your letter. Potter got his knickers in a twist?"

"Well, yes. But Ginny wrote that to me. I just didn't feel like reading."

"Hermione Granger, didn't feel like reading? Has hell froze over and no one let me know? Are you sick?" He placed the back of his hand mockingly against her forehead. She swatted it away and laughed. "No hell hasn't frozen over. I just don't want to listen to her tell me that I've gone crazed and/or have been cursed. I'm quite enjoying myself, I'm afraid to say."

"Afraid to say? You were scared that I'd beat you constantly? Or that I'd poison you? You think so little of me since last night?" Draco scoffed and held his hand over his heart. "I'm hurt by your words, Granger."

"Didn't we say that we were on a first name basis now? I think I said it enough last night to permit the use of it in every day conversation."

"As I recall you didn't say it. You screamed it. Repeatedly," Draco said with a smirk. "And if I have my way I'll have you screaming it every night." He wrapped his arms around her torso and jerked her to him. He lowered his lips to hers and slowly kissed her. He felt her arms lift and wrap around his neck. Draco had to admit, he had seen plenty of the girls he brought home in his shirt, but no one compared to, Hermione, in it. The pale blue button up complemented her skin tone and made her eyes glow brighter.

He slowly backed Hermione to the bed and laid her down on it. She reached to take the shirt off but he smacked her hands away. He deftly undid the first four buttons, leaving only her breasts exposed. "Now that I could get used to seeing every day. Merlin." Draco ran his hands up her sides, ghosting over her nipples. "Stop talking," was Hermione's only reply.

Hermione sat in an oversized chair later that day, cuddled under a blanket and a large tomb in her lap. It had been four hours since she had last seen Draco. He was called away on business. Rudely interrupting their post sex haze. Now freshly showered and still sorting through the events of the past few days, Hermione sat watching the clock more than reading.

'He said he'd only be gone for two hours at the most...where could he possibly be...'

"He'll be home soon, deary. One thing you'll learn about Malfoy men, they never return when they say they will."

"How did you.." Hermione turned to see her mother-in-law walking into the room carrying a tea-tray. "I used to watch the same clock every night for months when Lucius and I were first married. Trust me, I know how you're feeling. Many a night, when You-Know-Who was still in power, I sat in that very chair waiting for my husbands return." She sat the tea-tray down and began pouring them a cup. "Cream and sugar?"

"Yes, please. Thank you." Hermione took the cup of steaming tea and sipped on it carefully. There was nothing like a nice up of tea on a dreary day. Sighing she set her book to the side and sat up straighter. "Are you displeased that your son married a Muggleborn?"

Narcissia, who had stared down at her tea, looked up in surprise. "Of course not. My whole life I've never once looked down on Muggleborns. I only played the part to keep myself and my family safe. Draco would not be the man he is today if I had been killed. I was the only good thing in his life. The only one who showed him kindness and love. Who taught him how to treat a woman. But as you might guessed, his father taught him differently. And Draco wanted for a long time to be just like his father."

"Does he regret it? Making those choices?"

"Don't you dare tell him I said this, but yes. For months he would cry. A deep gut wrenching cry. Like his soul was hurt. His father made him do things, no boy should ever have to do. I was the only one who saw him cry. He doesn't know that mind you. He is a sweet boy, Hermione dear. He really is. Draco only acts cruel when his fathers around. You mustn't hold that against him. Promise me you won't. He needs someone besides his silly mother to love him." Tear prickled at the back of her eyes as Hermione looked at the woman in front of her.

"I promise. I won't. The past is in the past. And it should stay buried there."

"Thank you, Hermione. Thank you," Narssicia said as she took Hermiones free hand in hers, "I can sleep better at night now, you know. Knowing my son has a smart, level-headed, beautiful, and charming girl by his side." She smiled kindly at her daughter. She might as well get used to calling her, her daughter. She was after all a Malfoy now. And Malfoy's didn't divorce.

"So, Hermione dear, have and Draco talked about children yet?" Narssica sipped her tea and watched as Hermione sputtered. "We-I we really haven't talked. That is to say we jus-just haven't talked tha-that much about our future."

"Mother. Don't you think it's about time that you went to see about dinner for tonight?" Draco smooth drawl came from the doorway. He leaned against the door frame with his arms folded in front of him. He smirked at his mothers surprised gasp. Hermione's eyes darted between the floor and Draco. "Well I suppose that is my cue to leave. It was a lovely chat, dear. We must do it again sometime. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon, say around 2, if you're not to busy?" Smiling sweetly she turned and left the room kissing Draco on the cheek as she went.

"So, Granger. Kids or not?"

A/N: HERE WE GO! HOPE YOU R&R! I really like this chapter for some reason. :) ENJOY!