Hello there! Well, it's been a while and I'm really sorry. I typed this up all in one night (Hi5 me), three nights after my final exam. And now, I'm actually quite bored. I never realised how much uni took up my time until now, where I have about 4 months to chill and not learn. I'm on my 5th day of being free and already, I've run out of things to do. So far, I have made a rubber band ball, eaten 8 and a half lollipops, baked nachos, found the location of my birthmark and discovered that getting white out off your laptop by using nail polish remover is NEVER a good idea. You learn something new every day.

So anyway, I hope this means that I'll have more time to write new chapters and stuff but you all know how lazy I am so therefore, I'm apologising in advance if it takes months again...

Well, you kids know the drill. I'll send you a kangaroo if only you'd just review. Oh, I should never become a poet; I'm doing the world a great justice here.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: It gets harder and harder to think of witty disclaimers every chapter. So I guess if you want wit at this time of the night, you'll have to search it up on YouTube or something because there is none here. All I can say is that it's not mine, no matter how much I wish that I'd wake up one morning and it would be.


Chapter Eleven

"Has the great Draco Malfoy just admitted to an emotion that's been curiously elusive for an extended period of time?"

He smiled. "I do own emotions."

"Are you sure of that?"

"I can assure you that they're there."

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Okay."

Looking into his eyes, he stared nervously back, unsure of what to say. The silence was awkward until Hermione finally looked away.

"Err," nervous fumbling was followed by nervous coughing. "Well, I'm tired."

Draco glanced over at her bedside table and then her dresser. "If your wand is there, then whose wand is that?"

Hermione followed his gaze. It was Astoria's wand lying innocently on the table and unfortunately, Hermione was extremely inadequate at hiding objects.

"It's...I...found it."

He looked at her like she was mentally challenged. "You found it? Just picked up another wizards wand off the street?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "I don't have to answer your inane questions!"

Throwing her a frown, he moved towards it, picking it up. "I've seen this before." He ran his fingers over the wood. His glare was so quick. "Why do you have Astoria's wand?"

Hermione glared back. "Don't look at me like I've done something wrong."

"Then why do you-"

"Because!" Hermione exploded, her hair frizzy. "Your crazed number one fan girl tied up my best friend as a threat to ensure I divorced you!" She took a breath, her face splotchy and red.

"Astoria threatened you?"

"She threatened me by threatening Ginny," Hermione mumbled.

"Are you alright?" Was that concern?

"I'm perfectly fine; I can take care of myself."

"What happened?"

She glared again. "Your 'We Heart Draco Malfoy' fan club, which, by the way, consists of two members only, ambushed my best friend and I in a fruitless attempt to speed up our sham marriage towards the part which they are certain consists the word 'divorce'."

"They want you to divorce me?"

"Yes! Like some petty little threat was going to make that happen and-" one look of his smug face sent her screaming out the door. "Argh! I knew I should never have married you!" her yells were loud as she stomped down the hallway.

Deep down, Draco rejoiced.


Her stampede of anger and frustration took her to Draco's room. She'd never been in there alone before and today, it felt larger and more ominous than it should. The table stood alone, free of any loose sheets of paper and clutter and she felt her eyes wander towards the magnificent bed. It stood solidly by itself, next to a window which was open. The sheets on it were crisp and neat.

She left the door open and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling slightly intimidated. Slowly, as if it were a prohibited action, she gently laid back onto one of the pillows, looking up at the canopy.

This is what Draco would see as a boy, a boy who had to kill the most powerful wizard in the world, sent by the most evil man on earth. This is what he'd see.

The canopy was plain and dark and Hermione felt sadness for that boy, sent out on a mission that didn't belong to him.

But who was she to think of belonging, let alone understand what it meant?

Astoria was absolutely right; she didn't belong in the position of Wife of Draco Malfoy.


She woke up to snoring and it definitely wasn't her own.

Glancing to her right, Hermione found Draco with his eyes closed and breathing even and loud.

Letting herself smile, she reached for his hand. The sun hadn't yet announced the beginning of a new day and she found herself wishing for the moment to last forever.

The gaps between her fingers were filled by his as his hands gripped hers.

Her contentment from the moment allowed her arm to drape itself over his chest. She'd never done that before and it wouldn't matter anyway; he was completely asleep.

Her head tucked into the crook of his neck and she matched her breathing to his as his hand squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Mumbling sleepily, she went to move her arm from him. "I thought you were asleep."

His other hand held her arm in place. "Don't. Just stay." His voice was thick and sleepy.

"Okay," she whispered back to him an moved her hand to hold the side of his neck, bringing his head down closer to hers.

Her eyes flashed open and she sat upright in the bed. What was she doing? The plan was simple; marry him, make sure he got his money and divorce when the year was up.

There was no mention of intimacy anywhere in the plan and this time, she was completely sober.

Draco's groggy voice cut through her mental arguments. "Granger, did you forget to do your Transfiguration homework or something? Because Hogwarts days are over."

That made her laugh slightly. "You're quite witty when you're half-comatose."

She felt him shift as he sat up, running a hand up her back. She flinched and he soothed softly into her ear. "Gosh, Hermione. Why so uptight?"

She absolutely hated how richly her name rolled off his tongue.

And for once, she was rendered completely speechless.

When he'd coaxed her back under the covers, his smile was wide and grew wider when she resumed her previous position.

Hermione gulped. What was she doing? Sobriety was a high price to pay to be completely aware of her actions.

And then, the small brush of his lips over her forehead alerted her to his small gesture. He'd kissed her! Kissed her forehead as if they were-they were...

For a moment, she allowed herself to fantasize of love between the two, of intimacy that wasn't initiated by alcohol.

But the moment lasted a bit too long and it caused her to lean over him, her eyes looking into his surprised ones.

"I'm not drunk this time and I really hope you're not either."

And she pressed a kiss to his lips.

He could feel her smile on his and found himself wanted the exact same thing as her.

In one push, he pinned her beneath him and felt her fingers undoing the buttons on his pyjamas with him.

Her flimsy little camisole, made to drive him insane, was quick to follow and only when they were skin on skin and heart to heart did she allow her eyes to open.

"Malfoy," she gasped at him.

He shushed her with a hand across her lips. Previously, his alcohol soaked mind had never been able to preserve her features and body in his permanent memory.

"Hermione, I've never noticed how...how..."

But he couldn't find the words to complete the sentence. What was she? Beautiful? Perfect? Richly and splendidly alluring to his senses?

Tracing her hips, her rubbed a thumb over her hip bone and bent down to smell her scent splashed across the crook of her neck.

Her moans echoed in his mind and he felt himself overcome with a serious want; something he'd never really felt before. Everything in his life had been handed to him absentmindedly, through money or intimidation, but he'd acquired Hermione all by himself and realised that his sheer desperation for her stemmed from her want for him.

"I don't know why we keep doing this." He told her, removing his hand from her mouth. She looked up at him in confusion.

"Maybe it's because I know."

"You do?" He had no idea what she was referring to but hoped it wasn't his recent epiphany.

"I know everything." She ran a hand across his chest, around his neck and into his hair. "I know that you l-"

He didn't let her finished and covered her mouth with his, thrusting quickly into her. The resulting groan made him regret his split second decision but he couldn't let her finish the sentence. If she knew that then it made it all the more real. He hadn't even admitted it to himself yet and to hear her utter the sentiment would forever cement his feelings.

"Hermione, what do you feel for me?"

She either ignored him or didn't hear him and he continued. "Because if you feel something for me that isn't hatred-"

She cut him off, panting. "Do you really want to have to discussion right now?" she clamped a hand over his mouth and he knew exactly what he had to do.


When their breathing had returned to normal, Hermione reached for his hand. Feeling his fingers grip hers back she smiled. "What do I feel for you, Draco Malfoy?"

His Adams apple made a mad bob.

"You drive me crazy. My cat hates you, my friends have just recently established a truce with you and your psychotic girlfriends wants our divorce papers on a silver platter or my head."

She felt his hand tighten over hers. "Don't worry, I'll tell her there's no hope for divorce."

"There's not?" she squeaked and then coughed. "There's no need, I assure you that I can take care of myself."

"But what if I want to take care of you?"

She stared up at the canopy again and wondered how everything was exactly the same even though everything was so different.


Hermione and Ginny were strolling through Diagon Alley two weeks later when they saw a group of giggling ladies, Astoria and Daphne amongst them.

"Astoria!" Hermione called, having waited for this chance ever since that fateful night.

The blonde looked over, shock evident on her pale and delicate features.

Hermione pulled Ginny towards the group. "I think you left this behind a while ago, after our meeting."

Daphne glared at Ginny who raised an eyebrow.

Hermione thrust Astoria's wand into her hand. "And my husband thinks you are a very funny person."

Astoria's face blushed bright red and Daphne shot Hermione and Ginny a deathly glare each and pulled her away. Ginny pulled a face at their retreating backs.

"That felt really good," Hermione beamed.

Ginny beamed back. "What I wouldn't give to see that woman's face like that again."

Hermione only laughed.

Half an hour later, Ginny and Hermione were finishing their ice cream when a shadow fell over their table.

Hermione grinned. "Excuse me, you're blocking our sunlight."

Harry beamed back. "Hermione, Ginny, how are you?" he slid into a seat.

"Good," they both echoed.

Further conversation was disrupted by a loud yell.

"Hey!"

They turned their head in the direction of the commotion.

"What do you mean my business isn't welcome here?!" Daphne yelled as her younger sister dusted off her robes.

"Exactly that, Miss Greengrass." The old with promptly slammed the door to Madame Malkin's behind her.

Hermione and Ginny exchanged small smiles.

Ginny was the first to let herself become convulsed with laughter.

"Now THAT felt good."


"I'm winning," Hermione tried to gloat.

"You are not," Draco frowned, moving another piece on the chessboard.

Hermione laughed. "I am so!"

"You cheated," he accused, his scowl childish.

She hid her smile. "I never cheat."


Christmas was apparently, according to Narcissa, just around the corner.

There was still a good two months but that didn't stop Hermione's mother in law from beginning her decoration plans.

"It's a bit early isn't it?"

Draco shrugged. "She likes to be prepared."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "I'll say."

One afternoon, as Hermione was retreating to her room from scarfing down a snack, she heard a conversation taking place in the good lounge room.

"Oh, that's still a little far off for us." Narcissa's voice was high pitched, a sign that showed she was highly strung.

"Of course dear. I understand the hesitation." That voice was condescending and heavily laced with innuendo's.

"My son is perfectly capable of-" Narcissa's defence was cut short by another voice, high and trilling.

"Pregnant? So soon?"

"Yes, they've been married less than three months." The gloat in the voice was thick and Hermione could picture Narcissa's lemon faced smile, pretending to be happy.

Hermione knew exactly where this was going.


"I think your mother is desperate for a child."

"Well, she's certainly imaginative. Though a woman at that age-"

"Not her," she smiled. "From me; us."

He gave her a strange scowl. "I hardly think having a child together is in our future."

"You don't? Well, of course not. Not into this relationship."

Scoffing, he pulled off his tie. "Of course not."


Small shaking hands cast the spell.

A heartbeat later and a world was shattered with the ominous blue glow.

Shock followed by fear.

That's usually how it goes.

Fear is then obliterated to give way for panic.

It's usually during the panic stages that one should beware, for all types of mistakes are made.


Hermione bent over the sink, the blue still glowing, hyperventilating into the mirror. Her own face stared back at her in disbelief and horror, skin white and eyes frantic. What was she going to do? She couldn't be! Could she?

No, she couldn't be. This was throwing a huge wrench into her carefully crafted plans and she saw everything spiralling madly out of her control.

But you're actually enjoying being married to him, aren't you?

Little nagging and annoying voices in the back of her head should be banned.

She knew where Ginny was; living in the Zabini mansion-and she knew exactly what she had to do.

Leaving a short note ("Visiting Ginny. Won't be home tonight"), Hermione gathered a few items of clothing and left the manor to walk down to the gate.

The clouds were threatening to pour and the thunder and lightning flashed around her. Leaving the gate, she felt her face flush at that Ginny would say if she arrived in her current state.

When she arrived, the gate was open, invitingly so, and she tried to peer beyond it, analysing. Deeming it threat free, she started towards the front door. Rain began to fall and by the time she knocked on the front door, she was drenched, the rain having pelted down relentlessly.

She waited a full 20 seconds for the door to open.

"Hermione?"

She looked at Ginny. "I'm pregnant." And she burst into tears.


"Pregnant? How can you be pregnant?"

Ginny gave Blaise a funny look. "Well, when a mummy and daddy love each other very much-"

"Oh God," Hermione's eyes filled with tears again.

"What?" Blaise looked confused.

"But you do love him."

"Ginny! Not so loud," she cast a fearful look at Blaise. "Please don't tell him."

"I'm confused, why not?"

Ginny threw him an exasperated look. "Because they're competing to see which one will crack under the pressure first. Please catch up, Blaise."

He frowned. "Wait, so you do love him-" Hermione hushed him. "Sorry. So you do love him," he said again in a whisper. "And I know that he has some pretty un-Slytherin like feelings for you. But you're both waiting for the other to admit it first?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, that's about it." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Oh right, and she now pregnant with his child."

"Ginny!" Hermione hissed. "Not so loud!"

"Well, you have to tell him."

Both females shot glared at Blaise.

"No!" Ginny countered. "Why should she have to be the first to admit it? I think it's about time Draco manned up and took responsibility."

"He has a lot of responsibility as it is! His job is very demanding and tiring-"

"Oh yes! I see, play the sexist card! Just because his job requires him to sign a few papers here and there and look important doesn't mean that he can't take responsibility here!"

"Ginny, it's so stereotypical of you to demand that men do everything-"

"Men only do everything because women are doing everything else!"

Hermione sat wide eyed. "I'm going to get some water."

Neither party heard her and continued their argument.

As she crossed the giant foyer of the Zabini mansion, there was a frantic knocking at the front door.

Being the closest, Hermione walked towards it, hand inching towards her wand.

"Who is it?" No answer.

Flinging open the door, the noise of the rain and thunder reverberated around the empty foyer.

"Draco."

He was wet from head to toe, his hair sticking to his face and his tie dripping.

"I got your note and, err, I got worried. But you're fine-which is good and, err..."

He stopped and looked at her.

"You're really not coming home tonight? The elves made that soup that you like, the one with the tomato. I know that you despise that there are House Elves in the house and all but I know that you like the soup. Although tomato isn't really my thing, I guess that there are worse-"

"I'm pregnant."


Thanks to Tiadorable for beta-ing! You get my happy 12:34 for tonight ;)

And a big thank you to everyone who reviewed!

mysecretisfatallygorgeous, Swimnsail, mentarisenja, JillianUnleashed, catastrophecolly, 2angelwings, HarryPotterLover242, Blahla509, FaithfulHPReader, ihatetosayitoldyouso, Gwen's-Faith, padfootsgrl79 and The Giver Of Good Reviews (You were my 100th reviewer so you have my eternal gratitude!)

Thanks so much, guys. Way to make this Asian heart you ;)

Hope ya'll take care.

Love, Starky.