Hermione was sleeping on her right side in bed. She felt a firm, warm body behind her, holding her close and sensually touching her breast. Sleepily she moaned softly, arching her back to push her breast into the hand. She heard a dreamy, manly groan behind her. Draco snaked his right arm under Hermione's head, bending it to carry on with what the left hand had been doing, while her head came to a rest on his bicep. Slowly his left hand drifted down her side, slowly reaching thighs. As Hermione's nipple hardened, Draco's massage turned to a focused pinching and rolling of it. She moaned again, enjoying the sensation, then felt Draco's fingers draw teasing lines up and down her leg, slowly moving to the inside of her thighs.

She pushed her butt into his groin, giving his hand better access. Draco's erection pressed into her buttocks. The feeling sent waves of arousal from her toes to the top of her head. Neither of them dared open their eyes, fearing that act would ruin the perfect moment.

In a dreamy state, they removed each other's clothing, focusing on feeling and hearing each other. When they reached their orgasms together, it wasn't a mind blowing, earth shattering event, but a calm and gentle wave into one another. Dreamily they held each other as their bodies calmed and gracefully drifted back into a deep slumber.

Hermione's eyes fluttered open. She wiggled, feeling warm, naked arms around her.

"Morning," she heard.

She looked up and behind her. "Morning."

"You want to stay in bed or go out for breakfast?" Draco asked with his eyes still shut. Hermione thought about it. She remembered the events of her erotic dream, connecting the dots; she concluded that it wasn't a dream. That conclusion made the memory of the, most likely real, marriage flood back. She rolled over and open-handedly hit Draco on the side of his back. He hissed a curse as he squirmed away from her.

"What the bloody hell was that for!" he asked as he tried to rub the perfectly reddening hand print. Hermione sat up and pulled the sheets around her. She watched Draco give up trying to rub the spot she had hit, before settling for laying on a pillow to soothe the pain. "Shit that stings," he whined.

"Good. It was meant too. What the hell happened last night?"

Draco opened his mouth but snapped it shut. Rhetorical question, he thought, since Hermione was continuing.

"Honestly, are you that thick? I glared at you to say no, but you bloody well said yes. Why did you agree to having Bob do that! No, shut it. I don't want to hear your excuses," she hissed, seeing Draco open his mouth again. "Don't you see that there is something seriously off here? There is something not right and we're completely overlooking it. I seriously think we are married." She let out a huff of air and sat there, willing herself to calm down.

Draco stared at her trying to decide whether she was completely crazy or if he should believe her. He sat up and scooted back so he could lean against the headboard. Hermione's eyes flickered down for a moment and Draco watched her cheeks blush as she quickly looked away.

"Would you please cover yourself?" she asked.

Draco looked down and grinned. He lazily reached for the blanket, listening to her mumble to herself 'Even after being slapped on the back, he still has a massive morning erection. Merlin help me.'

"So why do you think we're married? I don't remember any wands or signing any papers. We can't practice magic."

"It's how we did it and what we said. As I have already said, there is something odd here. I don't think Bob and Latisha are muggles." Draco looked at Hermione skeptically.

"What?" Hermione pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded.

"Think about it. Haven't you noticed anything odd about them? Latisha sucks the energy out of me when ever we go out together. Bob touches me for just a few moments and I'm so energetic, I could go for days. Don't you think that's odd? Haven't you noticed how they interact with people at the bar? How people are drawn to Latisha like moths to a light?"

Draco shrugged. "So she attracts people. She's very attractive and she spends a good amount of time half naked." Draco rolled his eyes. "Of course she'll attract people to her." Hermione shook her head

"You're not seeing it. Don't look so close, pull back and look at the big picture. Something is off."

Draco thought about what Hermione had said that morning about Bob and Latisha, but his thoughts kept circling back to her statement about being married for real. His mind was stuck on that and he didn't know what to think about it.

Did he want to be married to Granger? Was it a positive thing? Would doodle bug want him to be her new father? Would he be a good father? Would Granger want him to be doodle bug's father? He ran his hand through his hair and sat back in his chair. He had left the flat after giving Hermione her message from Marc, telling her that he had switched her and Latisha's hours, so she was closing up the bar tonight. Hermione was less then pleased, when he told her, and mumbled as she walked back to the bedroom to take a nap. He had decided that spending the evening out of the flat would be a good thing. He couldn't stand being so close to her while he was so confused.

He looked at his watch and sighed. He had so much time to burn. He stood and made his way to the coffee counter again. He ordered the daily special and while he waited for his drink, he watched the other people in the store.

He could see how Hermione liked this store. He wondered who Barnes and Noble were. Were they real people? Muggles? Wizards? Squibs? Did these mystery people even like reading? He took a slow breath in through his nose, enjoying the coffee, tea, baked goods, and new-book smell. He heard his name called and once he'd had his drink, he made his way into the book section of the store.

Draco found himself sitting on a oversized chair slowly flipping through a book about gardening. He reached for his coffee, finding it empty. He rolled his eyes and looked at his watch. Well, let's face the music, he thought. He stood up and made his way to the bar.

Draco walked in, nodded at Bob who was dealing with a couple of rowdy guys, and made his way to 'his seat'. He saw that Hermione was busy behind the bar. Busy night, yippie! At least he really didn't need to deal with anyone.

Draco sat and slowly drank his beer. He watched Hermione work her bum off. He also noticed how she seemed to keep an eye on Latisha and Bob while she worked. He looked out to the dance floor and watched Latisha himself. He felt a desire to get up and walk over to where she was dancing. He wanted to slowly run his hands up and down her waist and kiss every bit of her exposed skin. He closed his eyes and listened to the music, hoping the issues in his pants would calm down. He felt a gentle squeeze on his shoulder. His eyes shot open and he looked to the left. He found Latisha smiling coyly at him.

"Hey there. I have a super big fav to ask of you," she said as she shifted her weight to one leg. She rested her hand on her hip and bit her lip.

"And that is?" Draco asked, hoping Bob would show up soon. Since the day Bob had given his whole 'you stay away from my woman' speech, he had tried to, but at times like this, it was difficult.

"Well, Bobby has to work till closing and well, I just hate going home alone. Would you be my knight in shining armor and escort me home?"

Draco sat up straight and looked for Bob. He heard Latisha giggle. "Did Bob give you that silly 'Dontchya be touching or talking to my wife' talk?" she said mimicking Bob. "Sweetie, don't worry about him." She sighed and leaned against the bar. "Just think what he would do, if you didn't take me home and something happened to me," she added. Draco's eyes snapped at her. Such a Slytherin move, he thought.

"Fine."

Hermione watched Draco leave with Latisha and it made her feel ill. There was nothing she could do to prevent it. He was a big boy and she could only hope nothing bad happened.

When it was closing time, Bob walked over to the bar looking tired.

"You need a soda to perk you up for little while?" she asked. He pulled up a stool and sat on it.

"I'll be up all damn night if I do." He looked around, his eyebrows crinkling. "Where's your husband?"

Hermione swallowed, getting nervous.

"Draco escorted Latisha home. I'm assuming he decided to just stay home instead of bussing it back over here." She watched the scarlet rise from his neck to his ears. Oh he's pissed, she thought.

"When you done here?" he asked, cracking his neck.

"Now." He nodded

"In that case, I'll return the favor your husband did for me by ensuring you make it home safely."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the television on. She slid the key in and opened the door. She noticed Bob look in and see Draco sitting on the couch. He nodded and she could see the relief in his eyes. He gave a little nod and bade her a good night.

She entered and slowly took her shoes off. "Have a good night?" she asked. Draco tensed and looked at her with guilty eyes.

"What?" Hermione pointed at the television and motioned for him to turn the volume down. She waited until he had done it, then asked him again, "What?"

He took a long sip of his beer before he spoke.

"It's okay."

She nodded and made her way to the bathroom. As she showered she thought of how awkward Draco had become with her now.

He is probably worried about the marriage issue. It's obvious that he's in a state about it. Probably thinking that I am excited to be his wife and already have a list a meter long of fancy stuff to buy, she thought. She heard some rumbling, and groaned. How could one place be so prone to thunderstorms?

She quickly finished her shower and dressed. Just as she stepped out of the bathroom she heard a crack of lightning and seconds later a violent rumble of thunder that shook the building. She sucked in a breath and quickly walked to the living room to look out of the window.

"Was it spitting when you came home?" Draco asked her. Surprised that he had said a full sentence to her, she shook her head.

"Clear and dry. Not a cloud in the sky."

Draco pulled her close and wrapped her in his arms. She laid her head on his chest and forced herself not to flinch when the next crack and rumble rolled through. She did flinch, however, at the violent pounding on the flat door.

Draco tensed, but let her go. His head was low as he walked over, but he raised it and squared his shoulders when he opened the door. Hermione was surprised to find a very angry Bob on the other side.

"Step aside," Bob said through his teeth. Draco shook his head. "Damn it boy, I said step aside!"

"Why?" Draco asked in the same tone. Bob didn't answer, he just pushed Draco to the side. Hermione yelled at Bob, but he walked straight for her as Draco slowly stood.

"What the hell is going on?" Hermione demanded to know as she walked away from Bob.

"You need to come with me," Bob said as he followed her around the apartment.

"Not until you tell me what this is about," she argued, placing the Lazy-Boy between her and Bob. Bob shook his head.

"I told him. I warned him, I swear. He didn't listen." Bob stepped around the chair and with the speed of a cobra, he reached out and grabbed her arm. "I'm sorry," he said as he pulled her toward the door.

"You're not going anywhere with her. You leave her out of this!" Draco yelled, trying to block the doorway. The storm outside intensified and shook the whole building. Hermione's heart bounded in her chest. She was fighting to keep her breaths normal, but she could feel the light-headedness start.

"This is entirely your fault!" Bob bellowed before shoving Draco aside with one arm. Hermione fought harder, clawing and hitting Bob.

"No. Let me go!" she pleaded, but Bob continued to force her out of the door and down the steps.

He pulled her along like she was a toddler throwing a fit. She tried to grab on to the railing, but he just tugged and she lost her grip. They had reached the main landing when Draco got them in sight again. Bob turned to look at Draco when he reached the main door.

"Come back here you son of a bitch! Let her go!" Draco yelled. Bob shook his head and flicked his hand.

Draco flew back into the air and landed half way up the stairs. Hermione screamed, desperately fighting to free herself.

"Your fault, you remember that. This is your entire fault boy!" Bob roared. Hermione could feel each word vibrate thought her body as she covered her ears.

Draco fought the invisible force that held him to the stairs. The moment it released him, he slid, then rolled down the stairs. He was sure that he had a broken rib, but he fought though the pain and ran out of the door. He found Hermione and Bob in the middle of the eerily deserted street. Bob turned at looked at him. Draco ran to them, no plan in mind besides getting Hermione. Bob shook his head as he pulled Hermione in front of him. Hermione yelled for Draco to stay away, to get help, but he didn't hear her. His eyes were fixed on Bob. Bob, it was obvious to him now, was no muggle.

"All you had to do was be a faithful husband. To love her, to honor her! Just last night you vowed your life to her! All you had to do was be a good husband! This is all your doing!" Bob said as Draco's eye's widened and he skidded to a stop. He saw large black wings stretch out from Bob's back. Hermione screamed as the black feathers wrapped around her, enveloping her and Bob.

Draco ran toward them again, hands out-reached. "Hermione!" he yelled. Hermione's face disappeared behind the black wing, but his eyes connected with Bob's. Bob held Draco's eyes until he was gone. Draco screamed "No!" when they disappeared with a small sonic boom. The force sent Draco back into the air, landing on his back on the curb. He slowly rolled to his side and sat up.

Looking at the spot in the road where Hermione had been just a few seconds ago, Draco felt his world crumble. He stood up and screamed Hermione's name as he dropped to his knees.