Hermione 4 August 2017

I know he's awake. I keep my eyes closed, but I know. I feel his breath on my neck and I know he's looking at our pair of scars. I'm more interested on the pair of rings that adorn our fingers.

What would Harry say if he walked in right now? How would I explain everything? Oh bloody hell, what about the Prophet? Draco was afraid that it would be leaked by today's paper.

But right now I don't give a rat's arse. There is a naked, a handsome, amazingly ripped, kind, generous, naked man behind me. One that I can call my husband. I don't want to move, I want to just savor this moment - feeling his body pressed into mine - all over again.

I want to wake up this way every morning. He was amazing last night. He was vulnerable, scared, nervous, excited, intense, passionate… Oh MERLIN! I have never ever made love with anyone like that before, nor do I want to go back. It was something that I never could have, honestly, dreamt of. The moment he took my hand in his, looking down at me in my nightdress, I had no chance. I was his. His eyes soaked me up with an adoration that I had never experienced. I felt like a woman for the first time in over a decade. And he made me feel like a beautiful woman - something I never felt.

Now his right hand is slowly sliding down my right side. He is tempting me to roll over and have a morning as full of pleasure as last night was. I know he has work today, and I have a couple of meetings. Right now, I couldn't care less about them though.

He is still having his fingers trace my body, my naked, scar ridden body. He doesn't seem to care about the scars though. A moan escapes my lips, embarrassing me.

"Good morning my beautiful wife."

"Mmmmm" escapes from my lips.

"You look comfortable."

"Mmm hmm." I am still not able to make a coherent word. I curled up deeper in his arms.

"We both have work today."

"Mmm hmm," I hum not really caring.

"That means we probably should get out of bed at some point."

I just shake my head. "No," I whisper.

His hand is over my naked stomach. Something so inane, with him is so sensual. I feel the butterflies that inhabit there, going mad.

Even the slightest shift in my legs, just to run my skin against his, causes my eyes to roll back.

Did I actually marry this man lying next to me? The way he described it is the exact way I remembered or dreamt or whatever it. Can I have this night after night, for as long as we both shall live? Merlin, I hope so.

Then I get rudely awakened with a terrifying thought, "Um Draco." I try to get out.

"She speaks." I can feel his smile as he gently nibbles my earlobe.

"What about the kids?"

He stops suddenly. I end up biting my bottom lip, because I was hoping he wouldn't stop.

"Hmmm. Well, I have an idea," he more breaths the words into my ear, than say them exactly. "Potter has a dinner planned with my son and I, he suggested that you and the kids come too. Maybe we can gently break the news then."

"Keep if from them for that long?"

"Keep it to ourselves, our own personal," his hands are all over me again, "secret," he breathes. "Our own escape or honeymoon."

"Mmmmm I like that." I moan as I roll over to face my handsome husband again.

When we finally get out of bed, and out of the shower, and out of the closet. Phew if this is what married life - even a honeymoon - is supposed to be like, I was missing out. Greatly. I am tired, sore, and honestly I don't think I can walk in heels today. But that's all I brought on this trip so I'm stuck. But come to find out, there is a handsome gentleman that 'is needed as the MII representative' for two of my meetings today. Now if only I can keep myself composed through them.

I also have another friend at two meetings - different meetings luckily they are the bookends of the ones with my husband.

My Husband. Draco Malfoy. My husband is Draco Malfoy. Wow try saying that and not blushing.

Okay. Now to tackle the day, or what's left of it at least.

Luckily we woke up quite early to get an - um - head start on the day. So currently I am only about 30 minutes behind, which means in reality I am 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

I see this handsome specimen of a man sitting on the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table, my dog curled up next to him (really Padfoot?), reading the Prophet. "Anything interesting?"

"Nope and no, um, curious wedding announcements either. Probably because tomorrow there will be a baby announcement."

"A baby announcement?" Excuse me?

"Blaise. I'm this kid's godfather. Well to go with two of the other five. He emailed me this morning saying Pansy's in labor and I'd better be on my way back tomorrow." He came over to me, "sorry love, but duty calls. But it will only be a couple of days. Then I'll be back in your beautiful arms again." He comes over and cups my head in his strong hands, our eyes meeting and locking for what seems like forever.

Damn him for making me melt like this. I roll my eyes exaggeratedly, "If you must. Tell Blaise that he's on my hit list now. So keep his wife happy and let you spend plenty of time with your new - very needy - wife too." I lace my arms around his waist, having our bodies get as close as possible with our clothes remaining on.

"So my beautiful and needy wife, what is your plans for the day? I have a couple of meetings later with this one witch, she's a real crack-the-whip type, then I'm going to get caught up before I have to leave. But any dinner plans tonight?"

"Um no. But I'll have to double check. I have a meeting this morning, in about 30 minutes actually, with an old friend and his coworkers. Then a couple of meetings later with this prat, I just don't know how I'm going to survive them." I say emphatically. "Then my friend again… but no I don't think I have any dinner plans. Unless you're offering?"

"If your schedule is free, then I am offering, my love. Who's the friend?"

"Harry."

I see him sigh, "oh that means, we probably should break it to him sometime today. And you should break it to Ginny." I'm impressed that he actually remembered her given name.

"Should we invite him to dinner, something um not as tense as lunch was."

He's withholding a laugh, "Love, if you think lunch was tense think about the 'Hey Potter, I know we've been arch enemies in the past but I just eloped with your best friend' talk."

I swat his arm. "It's Harry. He's going to be happy for us. Ginny on the other hand, is probably going to be pissed that she wasn't there as my matron of honor."

"We'll have a big party when we get it all settled. Then she can wear her pretty dress, and if you want we can confirm our vows. My mother probably will insist on something like that anyways."

I can see his eyes excitedly twinkling. I know mine are mirroring it. "That sounds beautiful and perfect Draco. We can discuss this later though, I have a meeting to get to."

He gives me another long, toe curling, drawn out, blood boiling, hormone inducing kiss. "See you soon love. And tell Potter hi from me." He winks. Harry's going to love that.

The first person I see as I walk into the Malfoy office building, is Trini. She looks as nervous as Draco did last night. But the moment she sees me, I watch her sigh in relief.

"How was dinner?"

"Very nice. Thank you Trini for everything. The gown was - well he was floored."

"Tell me he wore the tie that matched."

Blushing, "He did. It looked good on him, though he will never admit it."

"I never understood that rivalry your two houses had. Being a Hufflepuff just was so much easier I think." We get on the elevator and she hits the sequence of buttons to get to the floor we need.

"Yeah it, well, goes back a ways. It was just harder with Harry in our class."

"Speaking of Mister Potter, he has already asked for you and is in the conference room. Has he heard yet?"

I don't really have the option to answer that as Harry is standing right outside the elevator, "No he hasn't heard about Blaise's new baby yet. Oh Harry, have you? Heard about the newest Zabini? I hear he or she is going to make their appearance sooner rather than later."

He looks at me accusingly, "'Mione, it is late by your time."

"Sorry," I snip. "I was delayed this morning." Holy Hades, I'm probably blushing.

"No I didn't hear about the Zabini baby, does that mean Malfoy is leaving for awhile." He was a little too excited about this for my taste.

"Yeah. Oh Trini, Draco should be here momentarily. He was helping with my dog this morning." I turn to Harry, "you have competition with Padfoot now. She seems to like Draco quite a bit."

"Sirius Orion Black if you are reincarnated into this mutt, so help me!" He curses under his breath, causing both Trini and I to laugh.

"Oh Harry, what is your schedule after the last meeting today? I wanted to invite you to dinner."

He was taken back. Trini gave me a knowing look, "Miss Granger, if you need my assistance, I will be in the executive suites."

"Thank you Trini. For everything." And with that the elevator doors close, giving Harry and I some semblance of privacy.

"Tell me what's going on 'Mione. Why is Malfoy helping with Padfoot?"

"Because the bloody pup keeps escaping and running to him. I think she likes him more than me."

"Hopefully she still likes Hugo better than the both of you."

"Yeah I hope." Padfoot has been great for me, but a lifesaver for my son Hugo. He idolized his father, and when he disappeared it was like my boy did also. "Now dinner?"

"If you can explain it to my wife why I will be home late…"

"I think I can have that covered. Plus I want her on the phone to hear what I have to tell you both."

"'Mione, so help me… what is it?"

"Harry James Potter, you calm down right now. We have to be professional in here. Or do you want a repeat of the American Incident?"

"No. But I know you, and something is up. I can tell in your eyes."

He has no idea.

The day flows effortlessly. I am actually relieved. Draco was a doll - don't ever let him hear you say that though - and had a catered lunch brought up to one of the meetings. He sent me a note with my box lunch saying: 'You missed breakfast again love. Tsk tsk. I'm not doing my husbandly duties by having you skip something so important. Especially after the workout you had.' I admit I giggled slightly, causing a dirty look to come my way from the other head of the table where my handsome husband sat.

As the last meeting was about to begin, he stopped over by me and asked, "did you talk to Potter about dinner tonight?"

"I have to explain to Ginny, which I haven't had an opportunity to do yet."

"I'll have Trini call her." He leaned down, "don't worry honey, it will be fine. Like you said, he's going to be happy for you."

Ginny needed very little convincing, just keeping her husband's nerves under control knowing that I'm alright was enough. Trini did promise a call from me later.

"Tell me it's not fancy tonight. I love getting dressed up, but I can't imagine…"

"Well get used to imagining love, I plan on taking you out for a nice date at least once a month. But no, tonight is business attire." I hear him sigh, "I probably should get ready in my room though. Until after we tell Potter."

"You're leaving me?" I give him my best puppy dog eyes. "And then you're leaving for work? What is your needy new bride to think?" I saunter, swinging my hips, over to him and when I get there, my hands caress his chest going up to his neck.

"That she has my heart. I will miss her more than she misses me. That tonight, after dinner, you're all mine." He said with an animalistic tone as he wraps his hands around my hips and pulls me into a deep, sensual kiss.

"Hermione I have no idea what you told my wife to allow me to have a nice dinner with you, but it worked." He smiled and hugged me when I found him in our hotel lobby.

'Our,' wait that held more than one meaning now. Now that I'm married to a Malfoy - the only Malfoy - this hotel is part of the holdings, and technically part mine. But it will go to Scorpius, it will be his one day. Draco is only protecting his interests and I would never think of abusing them.

"Hello did I lose you somewhere?"

"Sorry, a thought just crossed my mind."

"It looked intense. You okay? Do you just want to get room service or something?"

"No I'm fine." Plus telling you is safer in a public atmosphere. "Come on, our table is waiting." I lead him into the hotel's restaurant, and into the back room that is reserved for us tonight. I steady myself and open the door.

Draco did just what he promised, the moment we stepped in the door he cast the spell so no one could hear us. It, come to find out, is one of his better charms.

"Malfoy? What in bloody hell are you doing here?"

"Calm your knickers, Potter." He looked at me, nodding, as I sat down and dialed the Potter's home phone number.

"Hello?" I hear my tired best friend on the other end.

"Hi Ginny, it's your husband, and me."

"And Malfoy" Harry growls. "'Mione was supposed to be telling me something important; so I repeat, what in bloody hell are you doing here?"

"I hope we didn't wake you Ginny." I say soothingly into the conference phone on the table.

"What has Harry riled up so 'Mione? What is he talking about."

Draco smirks, "I wouldn't say 'talking about', more 'exploding over' Mrs Potter."

"Malfoy is that really you there?"

"Yeah Ginny," her husband explains. "I've been hijacked."

"Payback Potter. Just a little payback."

"Since I'm the odd man out so to say, let me get some tea going. I think I'm going to need it."

"Draco, did you order already?" I ask.

"Yes the food should be here shortly honey." I blush.

"WHAT THE HELL?" Harry is giving both Draco and I death stares.

"HARRY POTTER, calm yourself now." I yell back. "Now sit down while the food is prepared and your dear wife gets her tea. She's going to need it." It shuts him up temporarily.

Draco pulls out the chair for me at the head of the table, whispering into my ear, "I trust you can run interference?"

"Between you two? Two seekers? I'm toast." I kid, smiling up at him. "Sit Harry before I have to tie you to the chair. And don't think I won't either."

"You're joking with him and you're barking orders at me? Has the world gone upside down?"

"She still outranks you Potter. Which is why I'm glad I own my own company." Draco loved rubbing that in and it showed. He laced his fingers behind his head, leaned back in the chair and propped his feet up on the table.

"You may own this place, but where are your manners!" I swat his arm. I look over at Harry who has a slight mischievous look in his green eyes. I know that look, it is the look of him knowing something is up. It was the look we got when Ron and I first started secretly dating. I fold my hands in my lap, under the table and away from prying eyes.

"I'm back all. So let me get this straight," I could hear her sip her tea, "Harry Potter, you better be behaving. If Hermione tells me otherwise, you won't see the light of day, understand?"

"Yes darling."

"Hermione, what is going on? It's dinner, and I'm only invited by phone? I can't even floo there?"

"Sorry Ginny, not this time. Next time we'll all be together. Oh and I heard we're looking at the 20th for dinner."

"That's what I have on the calendar. Us, you and the kids, and Draco and Scorpius. Anyone else?"

Draco leaned over, "Teddy right?" I just nodded.

"He was included in the 'us' part."

"Unless my moron brother comes back from the dead right."

I groan. "There might be some complications with that Ginny."

Harry is staring me down about now. "What complications 'Mione?"

I feel Draco's hand under the table and his leg against mine. "Well." I look over at him, "better now than when he can choke on something." He nodded, smiling and giving me the boost of confidence I need. "This doesn't leave here. Even to the kids." I take a deep breath and straighten my back. "I - we - got married."