The afternoon classes passed smoothly and Draco was pleased with himself. He had kept himself firmly on topic the whole afternoon with barely a thought for Hermione other than to think of how cute she was when she blew that kiss at him.

He finally realized that it was easier because he knew Hermione was attracted to him. When Potter had told him, Draco had given in and reached through their bond to verify her feelings and there they were. Draco had been trying to ignore the bond since she had teased him through it, not wanting to push her into thinking of him, or more importantly make her aware of the bond in the middle of a school day. Luckily, she had been already thinking of him when he had reached out and she had been actively thinking about her attraction to him.

Just before dinner, he received a message from his parents that they wished for him to visit them at the Manor for dinner. Groaning, he wrote back an acceptance.

He wondered if he ought to tell Hermione where he was off to or… no that was silly. She wouldn't worry about where he was. She had many other things to be thinking about. If she did, though, it would only make her more acutely aware of her feelings for him. He smirked when he realized that.

He did send a message to the Headmistress as was his duty.

He headed for the front entrance a few minutes later after changing into appropriate attire. Maybe he would by chance run into her on the way out.


Hermione had a frustrating day. Two of her students had broken into a fist fight in the first class after lunch and a bunch of rowdy first years had decided to gang up on her in the following class. She did not feel like going to the dining hall, but she had talked herself into it to not seem defeated.

She met Harry at their usual spot near the stairs leading to the entrance and great halls.

Harry was in the middle of scolding a student for having a Weasley product on school grounds. Hermione slowly walked down the stairs to give Harry a chance to finish and then catch up with her. Draco and Hermione missed seeing each other by those extra seconds.

Hermione and Harry had a nice uneventful dinner together and they chatted with Neville for the first time since the year started. Hermione looked around for Draco several times but never did find him. The thought of him eating alone bothered her for some reason. When she had spoken to him at lunch, he had just looked so miserable. Maybe he was just lonely. She also wanted to figure out if he were gay or not, and of course appease the crush's desire to see him.

Her heart seemed to be stretched across her chest at the thought that he might not be gay, just as it had been since Harry brought it up. If he wasn't, then that meant he… well he might have been flirting with her a lot over the last few days. Things that she had decided to overlook because she believed him to be gay. But if he wasn't…


Draco's dinner with his parents was a stuffy affair. The Manor was clean and brightly lit, but somehow had such a stale air. It smelled of stillness and sorrow. Tears and torment.

His mother had lit several candles with scents to them to try to cover up the smells, but Draco could still smell it as soon as he entered the front gate.

His parents grilled him on the first days of classes to warm up for the grilling of his plans for Hermione.

"Now, tell us of your mate, Draco, I've been ever so curious." Narcissa said in her best tea room voice. Both of his parents noticed how he seemed to relax as soon as his thoughts turned to his mate and they shared a quick knowing glance at each other.

"She's quite amazing. Truely. She's written a primer book for the incoming muggleborn children. As it happens, mother, I wanted to speak with you about it. What do you think about having muggleborn children meet with some of the Pureblooded families before their first year to help them acclimate?"

"Why, that's a wonderful idea. It might even work toward some of our community service. Some of my friends still have some time left on that because it's just so difficult to find a kind of service fitted to a Lady."

"I thought so too." Draco answered, smiling fondly. "Hermione was going to ask for funding but I thought we might fund it ourselves?"

"Yes. That sounds quite appropriate." Lucius inserted. "We will work toward getting the details set up with our lawyers and make a press announcement in," He calculated, "Approximately a month."

"Lovely. Oh, I can't wait," Narcissa said, smiling happily. "Once this goes public, and with your upcoming marriage, why, our reputations will be repaired in no time."

Draco frowned, remembering how much he hated all this talk of reputations. It had always made him so nervous to not live up to the Malfoy name. "Well, I suppose that will be one benefit," He said instead of voicing his inner thoughts. The dessert course appeared on the table and Draco longed to be done already so he could go back to the castle and be near his mate again.

"Draco, darling, have you thought about what you'll say to her?" Narcissa asked.

"I've a few ideas, but Hermione is not exactly the type of bird to be predictable."

Lucius snorted, "Certainly, she is not."

"Potter has mentioned that she is fighting her attraction to me though, so I don't think it will be too difficult."

His mother smiled. "Wonderful. Do you foresee any issues we might be able to assist you with, darling?"

Draco looked to his mother in surprise. Offering help? That was odd. "Not specifically. Would you like to discuss the acceptance ritual?"

"Oh, it's already ready. The elves here know how to set it all up and the old spells and ritual are written in the Lady Malfoy book. I was thinking of bringing in some fresh roses in a lovely cream if it wouldn't bother you, dear."

"White, if you please."

"Indeed?"

Draco nodded, uncomfortable with his parents thinking Hermione wouldn't be a virgin. What they must think of her that they covered with the right words to keep him believing she was approved by them. What exactly did they know about her? He frowned, how much did he know about her? He couldn't name her favorite color or flower. He didn't know what her aspirations were. How many children would she want and how would they raise them? Draco was plagued with doubts all over again. "How well did you two know each other before you were married?"

His mother looked surprised at the sudden change in topic. "We were friendly, but not really friends. Lucius travelled in different circles from myself. Of course we are not truly mates, though. Lucius and I do not have enough Veela heritage ourselves to ever know who our mate might have been."

Draco nodded, knowing this already. The only reason he had enough Veela to identify his mate was because their combined heritage added up in him. His mother and father only knew what to expect because of private lessons in their childhood and a journal passed to each Lord and Lady Malfoy. Draco wondered if Hermione would want to see it or if it would simply repulse her.

"Your mother has always been lovely, and wonderfully clever, of course, but in our youth I wouldn't have chosen her." Lucius said blandly.

Narcissa looked at her husband fondly, "Nor I you, my love. Our parents made the match as it was beneficial for both our houses of course. That's the old way."

Lucius nodded and looked at Draco sharply, "You must remember that although we never had to go through the mating process, it is still much the same as what you're going through."

Draco frowned thinking it was possibly the most foolish thing his father had ever said. Of course it wasn't the same. They only knew a little of what he was going through.

Narcissa was smiling at him though, noticing his frown. "The Veela in you doesn't just make it all simple. You know exactly who will make you happiest, and yet you'll face hardships. You know you'll never have to fear infidelity, and yet you'll be jealous. You know that you will be happy, and yet you'll find yourself sad from time to time. In marriage we never know when or even if those things will happen. You might be happy together, or you might spend your life hating each other. The fear of failure is in every day, despite all your precautions."

Lucius took her hand across the table and Narcissa continued, "In your own way, you're lucky. Love is a sweet poison, my son. Love is the same no matter the circumstances. It will always be the thing to kill you, and yet it's the one thing for which all of us fight for the chance to have. And it is in the same breath, I would tell you that you're correct in saying it's a curse to be Veela. If love is a sweet poison, you're the one who is doomed to extreme sensitivity to its effects. You'll feel each sting of anger more acutely than anyone. Each tear of pain, whether it be in childbirth or because of a stubbed toe, will be a dagger to the heart. You're doomed to the happiest life you can imagine. Yet I think neither you, nor us, nor even Miss Granger would have it any other way once the dust settles."

Draco found his voice rough and a tear that needed to be blinked back when he answered, "I hear you, mother. It was beautifully said."

Narcissa smirked, "Of course. I have had some time recently to think quite deeply about the matter."

Draco snorted in surprise at her joke.

"Now if all this too serious talk hasn't put you off your appetite, I've made sure to have that apple pie you've always loved so made just for you."

Draco smiled softly, loving his mother more than he ever had before.

The serious talk died down and Lucius spoke to Draco about their business matters over a brandy in the lounge before Draco apparated back to Hogsmeade.

He felt better than he had in a long time as he walked through the rainy evening back to the castle. It was very chilly but he'd cast warming spells on his coat and he had also made sure to cast water repelling charms before beginning his journey.

He wondered what he would do with his evening. Later in the school year, he expected to have more to do, as he would be grading as well as making sure Hermione didn't overtax herself and making sure they had time together.

He spent the walk imagining cuddling by the fire with Granger next to him and both of them drinking their tea while reading their books, just enjoying each others company.

When he made it to the entrance hall, it was already nearing curfew for the students.

He pulled open the front door and stepped inside, shaking out his coat to make sure he wouldn't be tracking in too much water.

He glanced around and saw no one about. He started to head to his rooms but decided to quickly run to the library to grab a fresh book beforehand.

He turned around and headed toward the library at a quick pace, simply focused on the task and not really paying attention to much around him.

"Draco?" Came the voice of an angel barreling through his thoughts.

He lifted his head and there she was. Smiling at him. Glad to see him. Draco sipped the poison and knew he was doomed. "Hey Granger," He answered, so smooth he could barely stand not jumping himself. What in the world was she doing out so late, and nearer to his rooms than her own? Was she… looking for him?

"What are you doing? Are you going somewhere?" She asked after a momentary look over of him.

He finally caught up to her and stood near her, trying not to look awkward and fairly certain he was failing miserably at it. "My parents wanted to see me for dinner. I've just come back," He answered, unsure if he should lean on the wall and feign nonchalance. Deciding against it, he continued, "I was just headed to the library before retiring for the evening. Would you like to join me?"

She laughed, "I see being with your parents makes you turn stuffy," She took his arm formally and said, "Why yes, I would simply adore joining you in the library, for you see, I was on the way there myself before my patrol started."

Of course, she had told him she was skipping her run in the morning because of her patrol tonight. He could smack himself for even being confused what she was doing. "Lovely," he said as dryly as he possibly could. "It's horrible weather out. I'm rather considering your advice to sleep in tomorrow."

"I was a little worried you would run, to be honest. I've… well… to be honest Draco, I've been worrying about you a little bit today. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

He didn't deserve this. He would never be a good enough person to deserve her concern. And yet here she was gracing him with it, regardless. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean. You're spending your time worrying about a monster like me?" He heard himself saying and wanted to vomit. That wasn't him, it was the Veela. The Veela had just taken over while Draco had been distracted but he couldn't think of a way out of it before Hermione started… laughing?

"Of course I worry about you. You're my friend, regardless of your monster tendencies. I can't quite put my finger on it, but you seem off today. Well, more off than you normally are, at any rate." He thought back over the day, trying to figure out what she was referring to. Before he could think of anything, she continued, "Of course you are an odd duck but," She bit her lip, thinking. "I think maybe it's because you're opening up and I'm just not used to it. Maybe that's all it is." Lowering her voice she added, "I do often over think things, you know," As though it were a secret. The Veela purred in contentment, her simple words signalling to the Veela that she was indeed vested in his well being and taking another step toward the marking ritual.

He laughed, trying to sound natural. "I've noticed. Perhaps it's just that I'm a bit stressed. Nothing that I can't handle, but… well with my parents being released, the new school year, and our new friendship, why it would be normal to be stressed, wouldn't it?"

She thought it over for a moment. "I suppose it would be stressful." She said, nodding. She rubbed his arm soothingly and then asked, "Oh, and speaking of stress how were your afternoon classes?" She sensed she might have pushed too far and he was uncomfortable. She would let him find his own level of comfort.

"Ordinary. Dreadfully boring, if I'm to be honest." He looked down at her then asked, "I take it yours was not boring, however. What happened?"

She wrinkled her nose and said, "Do you have fifth year double Gryffindor and Slytherin like we used to?"

He thought to his schedule and answered, "No, why?"

"Some people just have all the luck," She groaned dramatically. "Two boys in that year got into a fist fight today in class," Draco tensed and Hermione felt it, thinking it endearing that he was concerned for her. Mr. Stoicism himself actually does have feelings, imagine that. "Everything was fine, I immobilized them and made them talk it out after class but I'm certain that won't be the end of it."

"What were they fighting about?" Draco asked, the calmness in his voice surprising himself. He was both afraid for her and angry at himself for not being able to protect her at all times.

"Some girl, oldest story in the world. The girl is friendly with both of them and they both have a crush on her, but she's not interested in either."

Draco snorted with all the grace of a Pureblooded aristocrat. "Why is it always over a girl?" He asked disdainfully.

Hermione grinned, "I know about as much about it as you do." They had arrived at the library and Madam Pince glared a hole through Draco but smiled thinly at Hermione.

Madam Pince pointed at the wall clock showing five minutes remaining until she closed the doors at 10. Hermione apologized and promised for both of them that they would be in and out. Mentally, Hermione also added his nonresponse to the 'gay' pile of facts in her head.

Draco grabbed a random book in the muggle literature section and handed it to Pince with a scowl to match hers. He waited by the door for Hermione who came back with three books and a pleasant smile. She asked Pince to send the books to her room and made sure to wave goodbye.

Once they left, Pince slammed the doors behind them and they heard the clicking of the locks. Draco rolled his eyes, "How can you get along with that shrew?" He asked.

Hermione blushed and laughed through her hands, "Oh my gosh Draco she'll hear you!"

"I don't know how she could hate me more than she already does." He shrugged.

Hermione pulled him by the arm to get him walking and glanced at the book he was carrying. "Oh. Pride and Prejudice, what a good book. It's one of my favorites. Miss Bennett is one of my favorite literary characters of all time."

"Oh? Well I'll make sure to finish it before tomorrow so you won't have to worry about spoiling any of it."

She looked horrified at the thought, "Draco, it's not exactly a short book. And there's so much nuance to it, you really ought not rush it! As it happens, it's one of the books which is best read aloud, you know. Take your time with it and tell me what you think as you go. I'm honestly interested in what you'll make of it all."

"Should I hire someone to read it for me like you have?"

She laughed, "I haven't hired someone, I just bought a recording. It's different."

They turned toward his rooms and Draco asked, "Why Granger, are you walking me to my door?"

"Oh, of course. I've got to make sure you make it back safely." She answered haughtily.

He chuckled, loving her all the more.

She looked up at him, smiling softly. "Harry and I are planning on getting takeout tomorrow with Ginny. Want to come?"

He shrugged, trying not to let his excitement show in his face at the privilege of spending more time with her. "Sure. What time?"

"Probably 6 or so. At my room, ok?"

They reached his door, he unlocked the door and looked at her for a moment. She was standing there, looking up at him so sweetly. He leaned in, cupping her shoulder gently and kissed her cheek again, not feeling bad. He whispered, "See you tomorrow, Granger," against her cheek.

Hermione's heart fluttered in her chest and she smiled shyly. "Goodnight Draco." She said softly before turning and floating to her rounds.


A/N: Guys, this story is a lot of fun to write, have I mentioned that? Thanks for all the reviews and follows and favorites!

I've gotten a review from a guest about chapter 5 that I should like to respond to real quick. Yes Draco is joking when he says "So, tell me about Harry's pregnancy. Has he started craving anything yet?" he's being a snarky man. Sometimes it's hard to get tone through text, I know.

Also Draco is trying desperately to not focus on the bond so he doesn't cross a line. He's constantly worrying about taking away Hermione's choice in the matter and he's realizing that by focusing on the bond, he's interfering with Hermione's thoughts and that it's not fair. We see that in this chapter, so I hope that clears it up.