Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, nor do I make money from this fic

"I just came back from a war!" He shouted, breathing hard.

"And I didn't?" She said calmly, staring him in the eye. "It's not fair, putting everyone into boxes like that. The world isn't split up into good people and Death Eaters, it's not 'war heros' and 'everyone else'. Life goes on, war hero or otherwise."

"What would you have me do? Pretend we're normal and just go back to how it was before?"

"There's no going back to how we were before. No, too much has has changed. But that's the nature of life. Darwin's Survival of the Fittest. We adapt- or we die. It's that simple."

"And if I want to die?"

She paused at that. "It would make sense. There were some nights, while you were gone, that that thought crossed my mind. But, in the end, I had something to look forward. Something to fight for."

"And what was that?"

"You."

He was quiet. So quiet that she spoke again.

"I should go."

"Don't."

"Why?"

"Because I was fighting for you, too."

Silence. Tension filled the air as they looked each other over.

"I never told you, did I?" he asked.

"Never told me what?"

"That I love you."

"No." She said, turning away finally. "You didn't.

He crossed to her, pulling her to him, her back to his chest, and kissing her temple.

"I love you more than anything. More than my own life."

"I…" She pulled away, looking him over with confusion written on her face. "I loved you more than anything. And… I guess that saved my life a few times. But I'm not sure I can say it now."

His face fell, and storm clouds rolled over his normally bright eyes. "Why?"

"Because I learned something while you were gone. There's someone else that loves me more than you, and isn't afraid to show it." She said, looking down.

His jaw tensed and his fists balled up at his sides. "What?" He spat through his teeth. "Who is it? I swear to Merlin, I'll kill him."

"You won't," She said simply, hugging herself and looking him in the eye, "Because that someone is me."

Confusion crossed his face, and his jaw went slack. He visibly sagged, and for a moment, she felt bad.

"Are you-"

"No." She said. She knew what his question would be. "I'm not breaking up with you. I just-"

"You're just leaving." He said accusingly.

"I'm sorry," She said, grabbing her coat from the hook by the door and shrugging it on. He made to grab her wrist and she tensed when he touched her. He held her for a moment, but he noticed she didn't turn to meet his gaze, and made no move to shrug him off. After a tense moment, he let her go.

"Be careful." He told her, stepping back. "It's cold out there."

She nodded before slipping out the door, into the night. She didn't look back.

January 17, 2009 London, England- Hermione's Flat

Hermione woke up in Draco's arms, and it took her a second to register that he wasn't Ron. He had taken to spending the weekend with her, and had even taken her up on the offer of making over her second bedroom for Scorpius, so he didn't have to worry about his mother keeping him every weekend.

She'd gotten a letter from his father at the beginning of the month, apologizing and inviting her around for dinner, but she was rather angry that he'd even suggest that she let bygones be bygones after the stunt he pulled at Christmas. Draco had suggested something she'd thought brilliant: make him work for it. She loved the idea, and had ignored all the letters he sent her. All the gifts delivered to both her place of work and flat went untouched- with the exception of the chocolates he'd sent her. Those she'd eaten after a quick spell to ensure they weren't poisoned.

She could tell he was becoming quite desperate in his efforts, and Draco seemed to be quite enjoying the attention his father was paying her. Mostly, Hermione was just glad that it meant he was free to spend as much time with her as he liked without the threat of banishment hanging over his head. She ran her hand down his bare chest and shifted, trying not to wake him.

Draco shifted, pulling her closer to him and burying his face in her hair. "Good morning." He murmured.

"Did I wake you up again?" she asked softly, snuggling into his chest and slipping a leg between his.

He stretched, with a smirk. "I was dozing," He told her, looking down at her and kissing her forehead.

"Mhm." She mumbled. "So I did wake you, then."

"Does sorta count?" He asked, running his hands over her waist.

She giggled, "Yes, sorta counts." she arched her back, enjoying the feeling of his hands on her waist. It had been a long time since she felt safe under a man's touch.

He leaned down and kissed her gently, his hands moving up under her shirt to her bare skin. "I like this."

"Me too," She murmured. "I'm not used to this feeling."

"What feeling is that?" Draco asked, frowning. His hands played over her skin, and her breath hitched. She buried her face in his chest.

"You're touching me," She murmured, "and I'm not freaking out. I'm enjoying it. I feel… safe."

His hands stopped momentarily, then picked back up, massaging her hips and side. "I'm glad you feel safe, love." He murmured. "If you do start to freak out, I want you to do something for me, alright?"

She frowned, pulling back and looking up into his eyes. "What's that?"

"Tell me. Push me away. Let me know that you're not okay, so that I don't make it worse. Can you do that for me?" He asked her, grey eyes searching brown.

She didn't answer him. She kissed him. Hard.

He let her lead, letting her go as fast or as slow as she wanted and giving back everything she gave him. She trusted him, and he was trying to show her how much she meant to him with that one kiss. She pulled away, breathing heavily.

"I can do that." She told him. He grinned down at her.

"What was that for?" He asked, his hand coming up to cup her cheek.

She blushed, biting her bottom lip. "You're so considerate. It's… it's really attractive."

He laughed, kissing her forehead and pulling her closer. "Note to self: be considerate more often. It's attractive."

She giggled, her leg slipping further between his and her hip grazing against him. She frowned, looking up at him. "Um. Do you need to pee? Or is that… just morning wood?" She asked, blushing.

His eyes went wide, and then he chuckled. "You just kissed me as though your life depended on it, and then you ask me if it's just morning wood?" He said, using his nose to push her head to the side so he could kiss her neck. She let out a little whimper, her hand grabbing at his arm. "It's not just morning wood, for the record. And I don't have to pee."

"So… you…"

"You turned me on, love." He murmured, trailing a finger down her cheek, then down her chest, through the valley of her breasts, and over her tummy. His hand stopped there. He splayed his hand flat on her stomach and looked into her eyes. "I won't go any further if you don't want me to."

She looked into his eyes and placed her hand over his. "And if I want you to?" She murmured, sliding his hand down a bit.

"Then I'll go slow." He murmured, his fingers snaking under the waistband of her pajama shorts. He cupped her, his lips finding hers, trying to make her comfortable before he took things further.

"You'll tell me if it's too much?" He murmured against her lips, running his thumb against her clit. She whimpered and nodded.

"Yes," She whispered back, "More?"

Draco grinned. "I'll give you as much as you want, love."

Hermione awoke to Draco kissing her. She smiled, looking up at him. "Can't you ever get enough?" She asked, teasingly.

"Of you?" He asked, "Never." He grinned at her, then pulled himself up. "Could you keep an ear out for Scorp, love? I've gotta shower."

"Of course." She said, stretching. "I'll even make you two breakfast."

"Isn't it my day?" He giggled.

"Yep. But I'm feeling generous." She told him, sticking her tongue out.

"Wouldn't have anything to do with those two orgasms, would it?" He asked her, arching a brow.

"Maybe." She blushing. He kissed her gently.

"You're cute when you're embarrassed." He told her.

"Go shower, Draco." She told him, grinning as he retreated. She laid there awhile longer, listening to the running water and debating what she was going to make for breakfast, when heard a tapping at the window in the living room. She got up quickly, making her way into the living room and spotting the owl sitting on the ledge outside her window. She padded over to let the poor bird inside, hoping that it didn't wake Scorpius.

She took it's letter, glancing down at the seal on the envelope. Lucius. Of course. She tossed it on the coffee table, trying to forget about it, at least for a while. She didn't want to think about him, or his seemingly endless attempts to have her over for dinner. She made her way back down the hall, to Scorpius's room. She heard the shower cut off and knew Draco would be out to check on Scorp in just a few minutes, but that didn't stop her from carefully opening his door and sneaking in, anyway.

The little boy was still mostly asleep, but his eyes opened a little when he heard the door open. Hermione smiled softly at him.

"Hey, buddy. Good morning."

"'Mione." He said, sleepily, reaching out to her. "Come." Her heart melted and obliged him. His 'toddler bed' was merely a twin mattress and box springs placed on the floor so he could get into and out of bed himself, which came in handy when putting him to bed the first couple of nights, since, Draco or Hermione- usually both- had had to stay with him and cuddle him to sleep. Hermione knew exactly what he wanted then, and she crawled into the bed next to him, cuddling the little boy. He curled up into her chest and fell back asleep, and Hermione kissed his forehead.

She heard the low creak of the door and knew Draco was watching her. She untangled herself from Scorpius gently, trying not to wake him, and pulled herself from the bed, ushering him out of the room. He grinned at her broadly as soon as they were safely away from the door.

"He loves you." Draco told her, stroking her cheek gently.

"I'm good with kids." She shrugged, heading to the living room.

"I love you." Draco called after her. She stopped, pausing for a second before turning around.

"You- you mean that?" She asked him, frowning. He took two steps and she was in his arms.

"Of course I mean that. I love you, Hermione." He murmured, looking down at her. "If you're not ready to say it back, I totally-"

"I love you, Draco." She whispered, then buried her head in his chest to hide her watery eyes. "I love you, too." He held her close for a moment, dropping a kiss on the top of her head, before pulling away.

"So I know you had your heart set on making breakfast," he said, "but how about I help you? We'll get it done twice as fast." He grinned at her. She returned the grin, drying her eyes.

"I'll never turn down help, you know that." She told him, grabbing his hand and leading him through to the living room. He caught sight of the letter on the coffee table. He paused, looking from it to her.

"You know, love," He sighed, picking the letter up. "We can't avoid him forever."

"I can certainly try," She said weakly. He chuckled, opening the letter and scanning it.

"He'd like for us- you, me, and Scorp - to come to the Manor tonight. To have dinner." He told her.

"Tonight?" She asked, "Bit short notice, isn't it?"

"How many times has he invited you to dinner now?" Draco said, giving her a look.

"Okay, you may have a point." She sighed. "So what happens if we go and he just… is horrible?"

"He wouldn't be this persistent if he was going to be horrible to you. I promise you that. The worst I foresee happening, love, is the two of us having a decent time with my parents." he told her.

"You're sure?" She asked, frowning at him.

"Positive." He nodded.

She sighed. "I suppose I'll have to pick out a nice dress, then. I hope I have something that still fits."

"Sweetheart, I'll buy you one if you don't." He chuckled.

"You don't have that kind of-" She narrowed her eyes at him. "You'll be using Malfoy money, won't you?"

"Least my father could do after all the shite he's put you through." Draco shrugged, heading into the kitchen. Hermione giggled and shook her head, watching him go. It seemed she was in for an interesting night.