Chapter Eleven

-Their secret haven-

Disclaimer- I own nothing.

A/N Well here is chapter eleven guys. Thank you all for the reviews. They are what makes this story worth writing.

Hope you guys like it.

Rnr

MerinxD

The day loomed over Hermione like an insistent dark cloud. A feeling of silent dread creeping into the pit of her stomach every time she looked towards the months ahead.

Hermione found herself for the first time in…well ever that she did not want to go to school.

Ofcourse she was delighted that she would see Harry, Ron, Ginny and all of her other friends…but it was different now. Now she would be harbouring a secret from them, one larger than ever before. She was hiding her true identity and the young witch was having doubts as to if that was the best course of action. Sure she was essentially the same person, but her life had changed drastically and by keeping her three best friend out Hermione some how felt that she was closing off a place for them in her new life with Draco and her family.

The girl sighed heavily making her husband look over at her from his inspection of the daily prophet. Despite what every one thought about Draco, he seemed to be an avid reader of well…everything.

"What's wrong pet?" Draco asked looking slightly concerned.

She liked it when he worried about her, his face would contort into the cutest expression. One that she was not sure any one but her had seem. Hermione like it that way.

Looking at Draco she spoke softly. "It's nothing really," she paused. "Okay it is something." She looked down at her hands a sad look donning her features. This prompted Draco to take the empty seat beside her.

"Well then out with it." He smiled taking her small hand in his, "It can't be that bad."

"It isn't really", she sighed, "I'm just sort of sceptical about the whole secret thing now. I don't know…I just don't like the idea of keeping something so big from my friends" He stroked her cheek as she spoke. "It just seems like we are ashamed of this, of us."

He nodded in understanding. "Well you know it was only weeks ago that we were ashamed of this". Draco pondered briefly to himself, there had to be a solution, one that would make his bride happy. He smiled before speaking, "Perhaps we should just try the secret thing for a little while. If it does not work out then we can happily tell the world."

Hermione looked at the blonde boy who seemed to be changing so much. "Yes, I like that idea very much." She smiled resting her head on his shoulder.

The two sat in silence for the rest of the train ride occasionally glancing at each other in a rather shy manner. Hermione breathed deeply focussing her attention on the outside scenery. They would be at Hogwarts soon enough.

…………

"Now that everything else is settled and the two of you are please with the arrangement, I think it is high time I show your to your secret quarters."

The two students currently sat opposite the headmaster listening to his every word. They were glad to be back at Hogwarts but there was still much to figure out that the old man had neglected to talk about. Hermione assumed that the professor was getting there. Draco on the other hand just thought the headmaster was old and batty. He kept this to himself.

"That would be splendid professor." Hermione answered for both her and her husband. Draco sat in silence looking slightly bored.

"Now as you know you shall remain in your own dorms until your marriage becomes a public affair," the headmaster started again. "So in order for you to see each other as man and wife I have created these necklaces". The old man held out two identical gold chains, on the end of each chain dangled a tiny trinket. Dumbledore handed Hermione the one that held a baby dragon on the end of it. Draco was given an angel.

"Aw these are so cute." Hermione stated happily, "But why do I have a dragon and he has an angel?" she finished.

"I did not choose the appearance of these ports, you did. They are how you perceive each other and may change over time if your perception of your partner changes. Amazing isn't it?" The headmaster said before swallowing a lemon drop.

"Yes riveting," Draco sounded bored. "So what does this secret place look like, how do we get to it?" He asked eager to try it out.

"Well I will take you there the first time so you know what it looks like. Then only you and Miss Granger can access it by thinking about what it looks like. You must be wearing the necklace of course." Dumbledore stood and walked around his desk. "I shall take you there now. Hold onto an arm each please." The headmaster requested holding out a limb for each teen to take. Then with a resounding 'pop' the three left the office and landed smack dab in what looked like the Malfoy cottage.

"Sir if I'm not mistaken…" Draco began but the wise man silenced him.

"Yes, the two of you have been here before. Your necklaces do not transport you to somewhere in the castle but rather some where out side the castle.'

"So the Malfoy cottage?" Hermione asked, "I must admit I do love this place".

"Well it seemed fitting and we have wards all around the place so no one can get in. We have even put a cloak of invisibility over the whole outside of the building. I daresay you will find it appropriate". He smiled softly at the two students.

"What I don't understand," Draco piped up, "Is how we managed to get a port key out of Hogwarts." The Slytherin in Draco was curious, so sue him.

"My boy I am the head master, I can do anything I want." He paused for affect, "Now I think I must be off. To return to Hogwarts just imagine where you want to go and wish it. You will get there. Good day students, I shall be seeing you are the feast tomorrow." Dumbledore nodded to both Draco and Hermione and with a wisp of smoke…he was gone.

There was silence for a minute of two.

"Well this is certainly interesting," Draco said walking up to his wife. "I told you we would see this place again."

Hermione laughed softly looking around the room. Her eyes fell back on her husband. "Yes you did, how silly of me to doubt it."

"Yes, very silly. Silly Griffindor." Draco smiled reaching out to his wife for a hug.

Hermione complied falling into the young Slytherins embrace. She was quite liking their new found intimacy. She found being in his arms rather comforting, and his smell. Hermione sighed. Draco smelled of perfection - the fine scent of cologne and man all wrapped up in his attractive packaging. The girl silently wondered to herself what it would feel like to be closer to Draco than just hand holding and hugs. She mentally shook her head, all the would come soon enough.

Draco looked down that the brunette in his arms. He had never really appreciated how beautiful she actually was. He always saw her as Potter's play thing, never an actual woman. Though standing here with her alone made him realise that she was all woman. He did not even think she knew that. Yes, Hermione was blissfully unaware that Draco found her beyond attractive. He sighed into her hair, he would definitely have to change that. So leaning out slightly Draco stroked a stay lock of curly hair away from Hermione's face.

"Hermione?" He almost whispered.

"Mmhm?" She said trying to snuggle back down on his chest. He quite liked that.

"Have I ever told you that you are beautiful?" He asked, "Because you are."

Hermione looked up at the man before her. "No you haven't". A smile spread across her lips.

"Well then it was about time that I told you," His icy blue eyes boring into her hazel ones.

"Yeah, about time." She whispered. "You know, you aren't too bad yourself". She stated smiling up at him.

"Yeah I have heard once or twice." He smirked a little.

"Smug bastard." She muttered looking down a little.

Draco remained silent for a moment before speaking, he did not know if this was the right thing to do. "Hey Hermione." He said getting her attention.

"Yes Draco?" She responded lifting her head once again.

It was then that Draco captured her lips in a soft kiss.

Hermione made a noise of surprise yet fell easily into his lips embrace. It was their first kiss since their wedding, and the two revelled in the feel of it.

Pulling back Hermione looked into his icy blue eyes once more, she smiled leaning in once again to continue what could become a very happy past time.

Too bad reality was waiting out side their little haven. Yet for now, this was enough.

Yes, Draco and Hermione were happy. Together.

A/N That is it for now folks. What did you think? School is coming next. How will Hermione handle seeing her friends again after such a long time? Will she be able to cope with Draco being a bastard to her even if it is 'just pretend'?

You will see.

For now.

Have a good one.

J

MerinxD