Told you I'd update sooner!

First, I just want to say I love you guys, because I now have over 50 people who have added this story to their favourites, and 98 people have added it to their alerts. If I reach 100 after uploading this chapter I might scream.

Ok, so I don't know if any of you like to have warnings at the beginning of chapters, but let's just say that M rating is really taking effect in this chapter. Remember I said there would be a lovely Dramione flashback in this chapter? I'm sure you see where this is going ;P

Hope you like the chapter!

P.S. For the purposes of this fic because I really couldn't be bothered explaining it in the story, 12 Grimmauld Place is still invisible to muggles but visible to magical people. It doesn't seem very social to still have their house completely hidden away now they live there. Enjoy!


And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

Draco Malfoy was confused, something he strongly resented. But it seemed to be something that happened more often, and he could pinpoint the exact time it started. With her. When the whole thing started, he spent an uncharacteristic amount of time being confused. He just couldn't figure her out, or what they had together. One minute it would seem like he meant the world to her, and the next she would remind him of her marriage and how she didn't seem to want out of it. He knew she felt guilty because she was such a good-doer who didn't like betraying people's trust, but how could she feel guilty over that bastard she was married to? He knew she wasn't happy and the best thing would be for her to leave her husband, but she was so bloody stubborn and dedicated that it wasn't an option for her.

Then again, he knew she liked being with him. The way her face would instantly light up when she was with him again, how she seemed to come out of her shell around him, like she was finally getting to be the person she was meant to be. And how when she smiled, it seemed like a huge achievement, something she wasn't used to, and it was a surprise to her to feel happy. And the fact that he provided support when she had had a bad day with him, when he hurt her, and she would come running to him, because it made her feel better...

At least, he did make her feel better, happier. Then everything went wrong, so very wrong, worse than it ever had before. He knew that argument had gotten way out of control, but she had pushed him over the edge and he didn't know how to handle it. She was trying to tell him what to do, but didn't seem to want to be in an actual relationship with him? That had only infuriated him more, and when she had had the audacity to call him stupid... well let's just say a red haze appeared around his mind that prevented him from thinking before he spoke. Yes he had a stubborn temper, he was pretty well known for it, but this was the first time he really wanted to cast a good curse at his head for allowing it to take over him again. He would never forget the look of hurt in Hermione's face, and he wished he had been able to calmly explain himself to her. His pride didn't even let him tell her that he was having second thoughts about this group he was involved in even then.

Because of course he was having second thoughts. When you only hear one side of an argument it's hard not to only see the positives in the plan, but Draco was a smart man and didn't buy into it as easily as his father had. His father was smart too, but he let his need for power take over everything else. Luckily, that need to be associated with power was something Draco had grown out of a long time ago. By the time Hermione had read that letter that ended everything between them, he had already began to doubt what he'd heard, and had decided to wait a little while to see how things went. If The Union of the Runespoor (that was the stupid name they had given themselves) plans went out as well as they claimed it would for the wizarding world and muggle world alike, then he would happily go along with it. But if it seemed like the muggle world was truly being exploited like Granger had predicted, then he could quickly go to any authority necessarily, equipped with full details of the group's organisations and plans.

But then Granger had to go and accuse him of being stupid and blind didn't she, and he had felt the need to defend something that he wasn't even that sure about. If there was one thing a Malfoy didn't like being called or made to feel, it was stupid, and he wasn't about to let even Hermione Granger call him that. Not that it meant he didn't regret it now; in fact, it was one of his biggest regrets along with his sixth year at Hogwarts.

Ever since the fight, he had been determined to make things right between them again, but Hermione's determination to stay away from him only irritated him further, not to mention his apparent inability to keep his hands off her even when she was still obviously feeling fragile. But still, he didn't understand why she was fighting him so badly – had he really hurt her that badly?

Draco scolded himself. Of course he bloody had, not to mention scared her when she found what sort of group of people he was now involved with.

But he had reached his limit tonight, and he was set on talking to her and trying to sort things out. When she had dragged him away during the ministry ball to talk to him, one sight of her in a beautiful dress with her hair and make-up done in a way he had never seen before, he hated himself more than ever for letting her go. He had had to constantly remind himself that she was now off limits by calling her Weasley every time he could. A reminder that she was someone else's wife, and couldn't be with him.

And then he just screwed up even further, didn't he? Granger had been so sure he was going to do something horrible, that he felt he should just to spite her. And that probably did nothing to help him in trying to get her back.

Yes, he was determined to get her back, or at least just talk to her about it. He didn't care anymore that she seemed to have chosen what path to follow, he was going to try and lead her off it if it was the last thing he did.

Which was why he was currently searching the ministry atrium for Potter and Weasley. It had been about an hour and a half since Potter's girl had dragged Granger away, and he felt he had calmed down enough to have a proper discussion with her. However, he was having no luck finding her, and decided he would just have to swallow his pride and ask her husband and her best friend. The idea of possibly having to speak to the weasel made him feel sick to his stomach, as well as making his fingers itch towards his wand just to aim a good hex at him, but if anyone knew where Granger was he probably would. But he was hoping he would only have to speak to Potter to find out her location.

After a few minutes of pushing through the various crowds of people, some of whom were still nervously putting their hand to their nose every now and then as if expecting their bogies to start flying out again, he spotted Potter and Weasley talking on the edge of the dance floor.

"Oi, Potter" he called over once he neared them. "I was wondering if you've seen Granger anywhere."

"It's Weasley, Malfoy" Ron glared at him.

Draco fought the urge to punch him right in his drunken face. "I really don't care, I just want to speak to her."

"Why do you need to speak to Hermione?" Harry asked, thoroughly confused. He couldn't imagine any situation where Draco Malfoy would willingly want to speak to Hermione. If only he knew, Draco thought to himself.

Truthfully, Draco hadn't come up with a valid reason to explain why he wanted to talk to Hermione, but he was always one to think quickly on the spot.

"I'm interested in donating some money to all this magical creatures rights that she's so interested in, and I wanted to ask her the best way to go about it. In fact, I was thinking about just giving all the money to her. I don't really want to be associated with trying to help pathetic creatures. It hardly gives a good image to the Malfoy name" he quickly lied arrogantly, stuffing his hands into his pockets in a casual manner that still gave off an air of self-importance.

Harry scoffed. "If it gives the 'Malfoy name' such a bad reputation, why bother doing it at all?"

Draco shrugged, allowing himself a small smirk as he realised an opportunity to goad Potter and Weasley. "I dunno, Potter. Maybe I had too much to drink. Maybe I just felt like doing a good deed. Or maybe I've just got fed up of having so much money to account for, I've decided to just give it away anywhere I please."

He was right. Mentioning how wealthy he was had indeed made Weasley's blood boil.

"You always were an ass, weren't you?" Ron cut in, extremely irritated. "Just can't pass up an opportunity to boast how much money you have."

"No, I just can't pass up an opportunity to try and piss you off" Draco corrected sharply.

Ron's face quickly grew red, and he opened his mouth to speak again when Harry spoke first.

"Sorry, Malfoy, but Hermione isn't here. Ginny said she wasn't feeling well and Hermione offered to take her home. They left maybe two hours ago. So if you would do us all a favour, you can leave" Harry said clearly, gesturing with his hand for Draco to move away.

"Fine" Draco shrugged. "Thanks for the help, Potter. Weasley, you were as irritating as ever."

With that, he turned on his heel, feeling better than he had all evening. He knew he shouldn't have tried to start an argument with either of them, but the chance to piss off Weasley was too good to miss. If he couldn't curse the man without calling into question why he did it, he could at least push him a little.

But now he had to come up with a new plan to talk to Hermione. He was willing to bet that they would have headed to the Potters' house if it was Potter's wife that was feeling ill, and he hoped that Hermione would be her usual good-self and stay with her so she wasn't alone.

He quickened his steps towards the fireplace, trying to remember where the hell the Potters lived so he could apparate nearby. He was sure he would be unable to floo into their home, so his best bet was just to knock on the door and hoped they answered. He didn't think the wards on their home would be set up to let him travel through their floo, and he didn't fancy being stuck in someone's fireplace for an indefinite amount of time.


You can find him sitting on your doorstep

Waiting for a surprise

And he will feel like he's been there for hours

And you can tell that he'll be there for life

Ginny had only lingered in Hermione's living room for a minute after they left, swiping away the tears from her cheeks with her palm. She couldn't believe she had just watched her best friend leave her old life behind, with no real plan put into it. It wasn't at all like the Hermione she had once known, but she supposed Hermione had changed quite a lot since she married Ron.

Ginny's face felt flushed, so she decided to disapparate to a often deserted corner one street away from her home, hoping the cold midnight air would help her cool down and calm herself.

Pulling herself together so there was no risk of being splinched, she pictured the dark corner and disappeared from the living room, arriving at her destination a second later with a quiet pop. There was an ominous look of rain clouds in the sky, and Ginny began to walk a little faster so that she didn't get caught out in it. She wished she had brought a shawl or something with her to fight the cold, but it had been abandoned on her couch when she decided to travel to Hermione's home to help her pack up her and the kids' lives. But the cold at least relived her of the heat spreading over her face.

Turning the corner onto her street, she was looking across the road to the small area of grass as the wind whistled through the leaves of the trees, and therefore didn't notice the person sitting on her doorstep until she had neared them.

"Malfoy" Ginny gasped.

Draco stood up straight away, his butt numb from sitting on the cold step for so long.

"What are you doing here?" Ginny asked, but she was pretty sure she knew the answer to that.

Draco glared at her. He had sat on a doorstep for Merlin knew how long, and he was in no mood to play stupid games. "What am I doing here? Shouldn't the question be 'what are you doing outside your house, clearly just arriving?' Your husband said you left the party hours ago with Granger because you didn't feel well, yet here you are outside, in perfect health, and no sign of Granger."

"Maybe we should go inside, you must be cold" she said, ignoring his question and moving past him to open the door.

"Where's Granger?" Draco asked, but Ginny ignored him. He followed her into the narrow hallway and into the living room.

"I'm not going to ask again Weas- Potter, where is Granger?"

"Why do you need to see her so badly?" Ginny asked, crossing her arms across her chest. "What could be so important that can't wait until tomorrow?"

"That's none of your business. I just need to talk to her. Please."

If Ginny hadn't been looking at Draco at that moment, she never would have believed the word 'please' came out of his mouth. She wasn't aware it was even part of his vocabulary, and she was more than a little surprised to see the word didn't seem to be causing him any pain to speak. It was this that made Ginny relax her shoulders slightly in defeat. "She's gone."

"I can see that she's gone, thank you. Where is she?"

"No, I mean she's gone gone."

Draco stared at her for a few seconds, not wanting to believe what he was pretty sure she was telling him. "You mean –"

"She left about fifteen minutes ago with the kids to who-knows-where. She's not coming back, Draco" she said softly.

Draco collapsed onto the couch and leaned over, his head in his hands. He was silent for a long time, while Ginny just watched him from where she was standing.

"I did this, didn't I?" Draco said in a hoarse voice, looking up slightly. "I forced her to leave."

"That's not really true, Draco. It was everything. Her marriage to Ron, her conflicted feelings about you, wanting to protect the kids...it was too much. She needed to start a new life."

Draco looked down again before he continued talking. "Granger has told you everything, hasn't she?"

"Yes."

Draco nodded. "Why did she lie when I asked her what her new son's name was?"

That question had been throbbing in his head ever since Ginny had corrected him, and he was sure there was a secret behind it. He just needed to know.

Ginny was confounded as to what she should say. "Um...I'm not...I mean, I don't..."

"Weasley."

Ginny watched him raise his head to look at her with sad eyes. "What's his name?"

She sighed. She may as well tell him now, he would no doubt find out later anyway. "Drake Mackay Weasley."

Draco fought against the tears that threatened to fall. "He's my son isn't he?"

"He looks so much like you" Ginny said as a conformation.

Draco's whole body shook as he stared at the ground once more, and Ginny knew he had finally surrendered to silent tears.

"I'm so sorry, Malfoy."

Draco acted like he hadn't heard her, just kept shaking, letting out a small sob. "I've lost her forever."

"You don't know that-"she began.

"Yes, I have!" he spat out. "I ruined everything, made her more miserable than ever, and she felt the need to leave! I can never forgive myself." He suddenly thought for a moment. "Do you know where she is?"

"No" she answered too quickly.

"Yes you do" he said, standing up. "Where is she?"

"I don't-"

"Don't lie to me!"

"Don't talk to me like that!" Ginny snapped. "I don't need to be talking to you at all, I could have just left you outside on the step with no answers whatsoever and a cold ass!"

Draco took a deep breath, and Ginny watched him warily before she spoke again.

"She told me where she was going for a few days, but she could have changed her mind. After that, I have no idea."

"Where is she going tonight, Weasley?" He grabbed the sides of her arms and shook her slightly. "Where did she tell you she would go?"

"Let go of me!" She broke out of his grasp and took a step back, and he did the same.

"Sorry" he muttered. "I didn't mean to lose control like that."

"If that's you losing control you look like a bloody saint compared to Ron...sorry" she added seeing Draco's angry glare. "I know where Hermione probably is, but it isn't my place to tell you. She left so you wouldn't find her, so I wouldn't be a very good friend if I told you where she was."

"But I need to find her. I need to talk to her. I need..." I need her.

"Look, she promised to keep in touch with me whenever she could. I'll...I'll tell her you want to see her. And maybe she'll come round and arrange to meet you. One day."

Draco rushed over and hugged her tightly. Ginny stood there, momentarily too shocked to move, then slowly placed her arms around him. "Thank you" he muttered.

"It's okay" she said quietly.

Draco pulled away and headed towards the door back into the hall. Just before he left, he turned round again to look at her, still in the same spot as before, her arms wrapped around herself. "Please, tell her I need to speak to her. That's all. I just need to talk."

Ginny nodded and watched him leave the room, then heard the front door open and slam shut. Sighing, she turned to face the window as a few droplets of rain quickly turned heavy and began bouncing off the street. She hoped Hermione was somewhere indoors by now.

It had been a night similar to this when she had been sure Hermione would leave Ron, turning up at her doorstep with Tom and Amelia with a broken and desolate look on her face. Hermione had calmed the kids down and waited until they had fallen asleep before she broke down and explained to her that Ron had hit Amelia. Ginny was sure that was it that night, that Hermione would say she had finally had enough and she was leaving. But she didn't, and Ginny couldn't understand her reasoning at the time. What had surprised her more was that Hermione had rejected her offer of tea and a sympathetic ear, claiming she needed to be somewhere to be alone then disappearing into the heavy rain and thunderous sounds of the storm. Ginny had always believed she had truly done what she said, but now she couldn't help but wonder if Hermione hadn't headed over to a certain blonde-haired person's manor to find comfort. It would certainly explain why she didn't return until the next morning.


This world keeps spinning faster into a new disaster

So I run to you, I run to you baby

When it all starts coming undone, baby you're the only one I run to

I run to you

Draco was leaving the main sitting area, about to climb the main staircase and head for his bedroom. It had been a long day, and he was looking forward to crashing his head onto his soft pillows. He could hear the rain lashing against his windows and the wind howl. Surprisingly, this didn't bother him. He actually rather liked listening to the sound. He just didn't like being in the wind and rain.

Just as he was beginning his ascent, there was a knock in the door.

Who in the name of Salazar was at his manor at this hour, and in this weather no less?

He started back down the stairs with a groan, waving away a house-elf that had arrived to open the door. He walked over with a yawn, cursing whoever was depriving him of his soft and comfortable bed.

But when he opened the door, all thoughts of curses and his bed were immediately forgotten.

"Granger?"

Hermione, soaked to the skin, flew to him and latched on in a tight embrace, causing him to stumble back slightly. As he held her, shocked, her soaking wet clothes transferring the water to his, he realised she was crying. A lot.

He wasn't sure what to do. She didn't seem in any fit state to talk, or even hold herself up.

So he simply held her, stroking her hair and making gentle, soothing shhh noises.

After a few minutes, when she stopped shaking so much and her tears had calmed to gentle sobs, he slightly pushed her away so he could hold her face and look into her eyes. But she kept her eyes shut, her face down.

"Hermione, look at me." She kept her eyes closed, tears leaking out and rolling down her beautiful face.

"Look at me" he said again, more forcibly this time. Slowly, she opened her eyes to look at him, and a fresh wave of tears came over her.

"What happened, Hermione?"

It took her a moment to get the words out through the tears.

"R-R-R-Ron" she sobbed.

"What did he do?" he asked, still holding her face tightly and looking at her intently.

"H-He...he h-hit A-Amelia!"

She began to strongly cry again, and she leaned on him, her head collapsing onto his shoulder. Draco simply held her, too shocked to say anything. He always thought Weasley was a sick bastard. Hitting his wife was inexcusable. But hitting his own defenceless daughter...he was a dead man as far as Draco was concerned.

Suddenly something hit him. "Hermione, where is Amelia? And Tom?"

"G-Ginny's. Harry's away this weekend so I knew I could keep them there without him finding out."

Draco still couldn't figure out why Hermione was so against Potter finding out the truth, but he kept his mouth shut. "Where does Weasley think you are?"

"He thinks I'm at Ginny's with the k-kids. I-I told Ginny I needed to get away for a while and asked her t-to look after them."

Draco nodded. "It's okay, Granger. I've got you. You and your kids are safe just now."

Hermione hugged him tighter and he let her, despite the fact that he couldn't get as much air into his body. She needed him more. Funny how he suddenly put her need for him over his need for air.

After a few minutes had passed and Hermione's tears had relaxed, he grabbed her hand and led her upstairs. "C'mon, you need a hot bath and a good sleep."

Hermione wasn't so sure that was what she needed, but she was too tired, physically and emotionally, to care.

Draco led her into one of the guest rooms and into the en-suite. He got the water running and went back into the bedroom to pick out some nightwear for her. He knew she needed to stay there for the night so she could recover from her shock.

When he entered the en-suite again with the clothes, he found Hermione sitting on the edge of the bath hunched over, staring at the floor and biting at her lip. She looked so lost – like she was only five years old in a strange place.

He dropped the clothes on top of the toilet and knelt in front of her. "Hermione."

She didn't look at him.

He grasped her hands tightly. "Hermione" he repeated.

She looked at him, but it wasn't the Hermione he knew. The Hermione he knew always seemed so alive, a sparkle in her eyes that never seemed to go out. The Hermione in front of him, her eyes were dead.

"Hermione" he said softly. "It's going to be okay. I promise."

"You can't promise that" she said in a hopeless voice.

"Yes I can" he said, and he sat up slightly so he could bring his face close to hers. "I'll make you smile again. I promise."

He stood up and placed a gentle kiss on top of her head. "Enjoy your bath" he said as he turned the water off. "Relax. There's some nightwear there for you to put on afterwards. You need some rest."

"I have to go back to Ginny's."

"No" he said firmly. "You need to rest, and you won't get it over there. Just stay the night and you can go back early tomorrow morning."

Hermione was in no state to argue, so she merely nodded and stood up.

"My room's just at the end of the corridor if you need anything. I'll leave the door open." With that, he left the room, cursing every entity in the world for the lost Hermione he had just left, and praying the old one would find its way back.


Hermione hadn't really enjoyed her bath at first. She just simply floated there, too drained to think or feel. But slowly, as the heat penetrated her body, she started to feel again. To begin with, this had meant more tears falling down her cheeks, making gentle 'plopping' noises as they joined the bath water. But the tears quickly stopped, and a new thought entered her head.

Draco.

She didn't know what compelled her to come to him tonight – all she could remember was putting Amelia and Tom to bed in Ginny's house, then telling her she needed to be alone. Ginny hadn't questioned it. She seemed too furious at her brother to even think about where she might be going at a time like this. But Hermione had just known where she had to go. There was really only one person who could help her.

And so she had stumbled into Ginny's garden, oblivious to the pouring rain, and apparated to the gates that opened to Malfoy Manor.

Looking back, she was surprised she made it up the long driveway. But there had been a golden glow in just a few of the windows, and that light had motivated her to continue.

Everything that happened after he opened the door was a bit of a blur. All she could remember was being completely distraught, and Draco had comforted her. He looked after her.

'I'll make you smile again.'

She suddenly felt very safe. Amelia and Tom were safe with Ginny, and she was safe here. With Draco.

Now that her mind was clearer, she wanted to talk to him. Just see him again. Just feel his touch and know that it all was real, he was really here, taking care of her. She was so afraid she would suddenly wake up and find she hadn't left the house.

Hermione got up and drained the water, then stepped out of the bath and dried herself off. She tenderly picked up the clothes he had left for her. It was a large t-shirt, obviously one of his old ones, and three-quarter length grey trackies that reached her ankles. They were made of an extremely soft cotton, and she couldn't help running her fingers over them.

Once she had them on, she picked up her wand to dry her hair, but found her concentration could only do a half job. She shrugged, not really caring.

Now she had to find Draco. She just hoped he was still awake.


Touch me I'm cold, unable to control

Touch me I'm golden and wild as the wind blows

And tumbling, tumbling, don't go fascination

Just for tonight, darling, let's get lost

Considering how tired he had been before Hermione had arrived, Draco suddenly found himself very reluctant to sleep. He had simply stood by one of his huge bedroom windows, staring out into the stormy weather. He found it very easy to lose himself in his thoughts.

He couldn't get the idea of what Hermione must have gone through out of his head. It was disconcerting for him to see her like this, so he couldn't imagine how she was coping.

But was she coping? Certainly didn't seem like it. He just hoped she would be better by morning.

He turned his head slightly to the faint sound of the bath being drained, and he knew she would be going to bed soon. He turned back to the window with a sigh. He should probably go to bed too. But he didn't want to. He just wanted to see her. To comfort her, just hold her...

A knock on his door broke him out of his reverie. He turned round and caught his breath as he saw her timidly standing by the door frame, swamped in his too-big clothing. A few minutes passed, or maybe it was hours; he wasn't sure. They just simply stared at each other.

"Hi" she finally said.

"Hi" he replied. Couldn't he think of anything better to say?

There was more silence as neither of them knew what to say. Draco suddenly hated the size of his room and the distance it created between the two of them.

Hermione continued to look at him, and she had an almost embarrassed look. He couldn't stand it. He took a few steps forward and held out his hand. "Hermione, come here."

Immediately, Hermione slowly walked towards him and took his hand.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Better" she said, barely above a whisper.

Draco just nodded. "Good."

She looked deep into his grey eyes. "I wanted to say thank you."

"What for?"

"For being there for me. For comforting me. It...It means a lot."

Draco smiled, and couldn't resist gently stroking the side of her damp hair with the back of his hand. "Anytime" he whispered.

Hermione wasn't sure who moved first, but suddenly she felt Draco's lips against hers, softly caressing them. She kept her lips on his for five seconds before she pulled away and looked down. "I'm sorry" she said quietly. "That shouldn't have happened."

"Why?"

Hermione looked at him. "Because I'm married!"

"But, Hermione, you don't love him! And you know he doesn't love you."

"How do you know how I feel?"

"All I know is that he doesn't make you feel the way I make you feel." Draco said softly.

Hermione didn't say anything, and he stepped forward to slowly draw his hand up her bare arm as he murmured "Does Ron make you feel like this when he does this?" He moved his hand up to her hair to brush it back. "Does it feel the same when he does this?"He pressed his lips against her temple. "Or this?" he mumbled against her skin. Hermione shivered and closed her eyes.

Draco moved his lips down her cheek. "How about this?" And he placed a small kiss on the edge of her mouth.

Hermione opened her eyes to look at Draco again, and what she saw took her breath away. The expression on his face was so full of love and care that she couldn't help but be moved. And suddenly, as if they had shared an unspoken agreement, they both quickly moved together and their lips met, she wrapping her arms around his neck, and he wrapping his around her waist. They moved their lips against each other gently yet franticly, and Hermione gasped when he bit her bottom lip, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth. He expertly moved his tongue around, twisting it with hers, causing her to sigh in bliss. Ron was suddenly a distant thought in the back of her mind, along with all her troubles and pains. All there was, was Draco. Draco and her, and nothing else. The rest of the world seemed to simply slip away.

Hermione was suddenly aware of being lifted off the ground, and although she had a pretty good idea of where he was taking her, she found she wouldn't care wherever he took her. He could take her to hell if he wanted, as long as she was in his arms, his lips on hers. And ironically, considering she was still married, that was probably exactly where she was headed.

She felt herself being gently pushed into the mattress, the softness of it on her back contrasting dramatically with the hard planes of his body held just above hers, so that she wasn't subjected to his full weight.

Draco moved his mouth from hers when they both began gasping for air, beginning a warm trail down her neck as he kissed and sucked the soft skin. Hermione moaned at his feather-like touches from both his lips and his hands that were gently caressing her body. Merlin help her, there was a small voice at the back of her mind that told her this was wrong, but she couldn't bring herself to figure out why. How could feeling this good, a feeling she had never quite experienced before, be wrong?

Her heart beats rapidly increased as he moved his hands to the bottom of her t-shirt, slowly dragging the material up until it reached the bottom of her breasts, when he quickly stole another kiss on her lips, deepening it desperately as he slowly pushed the top up further, finally breaking the kiss to pull it over her head. Her breath hitched slightly as her chest was fully exposed.

Draco simply stared at her, and she could feel a blush heating her cheeks. Ron had never stopped to stare at her like this anymore. Ron usually just went for what he wanted. So Hermione wasn't even sure if Draco would like what he saw.

Her fears, however, were quelled as he leaned into her, his lips brushing her ear. "You're so beautiful" he gently murmured. "So beautiful."

He softly began to palm her breasts, catching her lips again in a searing kiss. Hermione ran her hands down his top until she reached the hem, then in a bold move yanked it up his body and over his head. As his hands gently teased her body, she couldn't resist moving her hands along his. He was well built up with muscles, and his skin was firm, tightly covering his taught muscles. She wanted to continue learning the shapes and contours of his body, but he began to slowly move down, kissing her from her lips, along her jaw, down her neck, and all across her chest, before he moved down her stomach, still kissing and licking every part of her skin on the way. With one final, lingering kiss just below her bellybutton, he hooked his fingers into the waist band of her trackies and underwear, dragging them down her legs. Her heart rate increased again, getting faster and faster the further down he pulled her trousers. When they were completely off, she wasted no time in trying to rid him of his. Quickly pulling his face to hers again, they kissed deeply as she pushed his trousers down, using her feet to push them off completely.

When they were finally both rid of their clothes, feeling nothing but skin on skin, the reality of what was happening hit Hermione. Was she really going to do this? Was she really going to cheat on her husband?

Whenever she thought of him, she was only met with grief. The sadness was so intense, it had even blocked off the Ron Weasley she had known in school. She couldn't remember him. All she knew of Ron Weasley was pain and grief. And it was no secret that he had had multiple affairs behind her back. But did that excuse what she was about to do?

She looked up at him. Draco. How did her life come to this point? How did it come to looking for Draco Malfoy as a source of comfort?

"Hermione" Draco whispered, pushing a strand of hair from her face. He could see how conflicted she was. And for some reason that pained her even more.

He quickly brushed away a stray tear that had escaped her left eye without her noticing. Why was it always him brushing away her tears? Why was it always him that made her feel better? Why wasn't it her husband? And more importantly, why was it her husband that was causing the tears?

Looking up at him again, she knew exactly what she wanted to do. Placing her hands gently on each side of his face, she whispered his name so quietly, her lips hardly moving, he could barely hear her. Then she pulled him towards her, moving her fingers into his hair, tangling them as she kissed him hard. She could tell he was somewhat reluctant to continue after seeing how conflicted she was, but he would be lying if he said he didn't want this too. Merlin, he had been wanting this so much. To hold her in his arms. To finally have it was a feeling he couldn't describe, but at the base of it, he knew it felt right. And so he didn't stop.

They move their tongues against each other desperately, trying to tell the other whatever they couldn't tell them with words. Very slowly, he moved one hand down her stomach and between her legs, rubbing her flesh with the pad of his thumb, delighted to find her wet and ready, despite her previous doubts over whether she should continue. Hermione continued to moan into his mouth as he inserted one finger, rotating it gently before adding a second and beginning to move them up and down with a faster pace.

"Please" Hermione said breathlessly when their lips broke apart. Sucking at her neck, he pulled his fingers out and moved himself so he was by her entrance. "Please" she said again. "I need..."

With one quick thrust, he moved himself inside of her, causing her to cry out in pleasure. Draco hissed as she dragged him in, and he placed tiny kisses scattered across her chest as she adjusted to him. He slowly pulled out and filled her again, noting how tight with nerves she was.

Hermione threaded her fingers through his hair again, scraping her nails against his scalp. Draco moaned as he continued to move in and out of her, her hips clashing with his as she moved with increasing fervour, her nerves and timid movements slowly ebbing away as all logic escaped her thoughts with each stroke inside of her. Capturing her lips again, Draco swallowed a pleasure-filled moan as it escaped them and relished the way it bounced around his mouth and down his throat, adding to the tight bundle of nerves already in place in his stomach.

Hermione wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as she felt herself getting closer to the edge, pushing him further in with each strong stroke. Each one brought her nearer the desired peak, and she desperately tried to hold onto the feeling of pure bliss Draco was instilling in her, passion-filled and absent of any worry or doubt. And, possibly most surprisingly, a feeling that she was completely safe and protected from everything else.

Draco pulled his lips back a few millimetres, just enough space to allow him some air while they still brushed against Hermione's with each heavy breath. Every now and then Hermione would tentatively give them a quick peck, just needing to feel his lips against hers.

He could feel her muscles tightening now, and her body began to shake as she closed her eyes. "Draco..." she half-whispered, half-moaned. "Draco, I..."

The rest of her words were drowned by a deep and feminine moan, and Draco made sure to hold back his own release just long enough to watch her unravel for the first time. He was sure it was something he could never tire of seeing.

As she came down from her heightened state he gave three more pumps into her and came undone, burying his face into the side of her neck as he groaned loudly. Hermione began to tiredly play with his hair again as his body shook over her, kissing the side of his face once she had regained her breath. Draco gathered the remainder of his strength to push himself off of her, collapsing at her side and gathering the sheets over them, then staring at the ceiling while small dots played with his vision.

As theirs breathing calmed down, so did their preferred ignorance of the outside world, and the reality of what just happened crashed over them. Draco cursed it for taking over what should have been pure post-coital bliss.

"Do you regret it?" Draco finally asked as the silence dragged on, still looking straight ahead at the dark ceiling.

He counted twenty of his rapid heartbeats before she answered. "Ask me again in two minutes."

Draco swallowed. That certainly didn't sound good. He almost wanted to talk to her anyway, just to interrupt the thoughts that could so easily make her regret everything they just did. His hand itched to reach out and grab hers – it was lying so close to his, but it may as well have been on the other side of the room.

Making a quick glance towards Hermione, he could almost hear the cogs in her brain whirring as she nibbled on her bruised bottom lip, her eyes conveying all the conflict she was feeling.

He turned away from her again. He didn't like to see her lying there as she debated whether or not she should even be there. It was doing damaging things to his mind and his ego.

Maybe he should be feeling as conflicted as she so clearly was. He had just slept with Hermione fucking Granger, married woman and all-round do-gooder. He had pushed their relationship to a strained level when he had impulsively decided to kiss her just a few weeks ago, and now, when they were just getting over the awkward moment, he went and bloody pulled her into his bed.

Nice one, Draco, he berated himself. You can just kiss goodbye any chance of ever seeing her again.

He had pushed her into something she would never usually do, and no doubt that was just something else added to her list of things to worry about. Along with her conflict about being married and now having an affair, he had made her add identity crisis.

When it felt like two minutes were finally up, he quietly cleared his throat and turned to fully look at her. "Granger" he said softly, but with a slight hard edge as his worry began to seep through. "Do you-"

"I should, shouldn't I?" Hermione said, still staring straight ahead. "I should regret what we just did. But..."

Draco's heart leapt ever so slightly. There was a 'but'. And for once, it might bring good news instead of bad.

"But?" he pressed.

"But I don't" Hermione said simply. "I know I should, and I keep looking for any trace of regret but I can't really find any."

To Draco's dismay, while her words were making him feel better, they just seemed to be making her more distressed.

"Why I don't I regret it though? What we did was wrong but I don't care. What sort of person does that make me? I never thought I'd be a person to do something wrong just because it felt good at the time, just throwing away all logic and sense haphazardly. I just- I don't know what to do and I'm so confused-"

"Granger" Draco cut in. "Granger, look at me."

Hermione reluctantly turned to look at him, nibbling away at her lip again so much that Draco wondered if there would be anything left by the time she got over this.

If she ever got over it.

Cautiously, Draco rested one hand on Hermione's shoulder, and internally breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't flinch or make to move away.

"You're Hermione Granger, war hero, an amazing friend, a wonderful mother, and a far too understanding wife. You're a stubborn know-it-all and a pain in the ass. You've been putting other people first most of your life, and for the first in ages you've done something that makes you feel good. That doesn't make you a bad person, it makes you human, and it's about bloody time that you started living again."

Hermione sighed deeply, the air brushing a few hairs on Draco's forehead. "What if you're wrong? What if I am just a bad person?"

Draco rolled his eyes slightly and moved so that his upper body was hovering slightly above hers. "Granger, I want you to listen to me very carefully. I. Am. Never. Wrong."

Hermione couldn't help but smile at his arrogant attitude. Hearing him act so casually helped calm her slightly, and it almost made what they did seem natural. No over-thinking, no worries, just meant to happen.

"I think I need to sleep now" Hermione whispered. "I'm just so tired..."

Draco nodded, acknowledging everything she had been through that night. She had been a broken mess when she arrived, and he wasn't sure he had really eased her worries, just added a bunch of new things to think over. But he still didn't regret what happened.

Leaning down slightly, he kissed her lips softly, smiling into it when he felt her kiss him back.

"Go to sleep, Granger" Draco said softly as he moved off her and back to the side. "We can deal with everything in the morning."

Hermione just nodded, and allowed him to pull her body closer to his. Burying her face into his chest, she let a feeling of contentment wash over her and drag away all her turbulent thoughts, just leaving her in Draco's arms.

And it was in that peaceful moment as he held her close to him, that she realised he had been right. He had made her smile again.


Oh god... I think I was blushing the majority of the time I was writing that flashback. I've never written a smut scene before, so I hope it didn't suck too terribly. As long as you weren't sitting there laughing I'll consider it a success.

Union of the Runespoor = I got the name Runespoor from Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. It's a three headed snake and was once liked by dark wizards. The left head is the planner, the middle is the dreamer, and the right is the critic. It's common to see a Runespoor with the right head missing, attacked by the other heads. I chose that animal because it's dangerous, and I think it would be interesting to see how the animal's characteristics might mirror what happens in the actual Union. That's my idea anyway. And obviously I was inspired by the Order of the Pheonix.

I'm absolutely loving your reviews at the moment, keep them coming! And let me know what you think of the first part with Draco's POV, I had a lot of fun writing that section.

Songs Used

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

Daydreamer by Adele

I Run To You by Lady Antebellum (Another recommendation by Star-Of-Hearts :D)

Let's Get Lost by Bat for Lashes & Beck