I did it everyone! Update in about a week! Honestly the support that everyone has given me has truly touched me. With me being a writer I can tell you I am at a loss of words because I feel none can really express my gratitude. Okay I'll stop now to let you get to the story and I'll blabber on more at the bottom! Enjoy!

Chapter 14: Calm Before the Storm

There was a silence in the air that was so thick that Hermione could hear the blood rushing through her veins. She brought a hand to her chest, where it rested over her heart, fingers curling into a fist.

Draco took a step closer to Hermione but stopped when he noticed her trembling. "Hermione…I…"

The sound of his voice cut through the invisible barrier and it was all that he could get out before Hermione was rushing into his arms. She clutched him around the middle so tightly that he could feel the pounding of her heart beating hard against him. Instinctually his arms wrapped around her, his head dropping to the crook of her neck. His breath, one that he didn't even realize he had been holding in, left in a rush causing goosebumps to raise over Hermione's skin. Still holding her bare body close he reached behind her to grab the white towel she had hanging by the shower door. After covering her, Draco reluctantly let her go to turn off the running water. Turning back to Hermione he looked at the woman who once trusted in him wholly, eye him warily.

"You're…here." Hermione whispered.

Swallowing the lump that seemed to form in his throat Draco nodded. He noticed that her shoulders seem to relax in relief but still that weariness lingered.

Devlin began to cry and Hermione jumped breaking out of her small trance. Rushing to unstrap him from the car seat, she thanked the baby for the small distraction. She thought it would be enough to hold him but when Devlin was in her arms he began to fuss even more. The baby reached out for his father, his violet eyes calling out to Draco.

Hermione studied Draco's hesitant body language and made the decision for him. "Hold him."

Draco cocked his head to the side skeptically. "You're going to let me hold him?"

Hermione was firm. "He's your son."

Draco didn't wait for further instructions and took the squirming baby from her arms. Devlin immediately began bouncing happily in his father's arm, green eyes shining brightly. Draco smiled and pressed his forehead to Devlin's. The baby squealed and slapped his hands against Draco's cheeks. If it hurt at all Draco didn't take notice, simply smiling further.

Hermione caught Draco's eye and motioned toward the bedroom. Taking the carseat and vanishing the table she went into the bedroom letting Draco follow in his own time.

Heading towards the corner of the room she set the carseat down taking quick, shallow breaths. She had no idea what to do from here on. Draco's sudden appearance had all rational thoughts leaving her. Hermione shook her head. It was more like a single thought couldn't form instead clustering into a bunch of jumbling thoughts. Hermione groaned letting her head chin fall down. Standing she turned jumping in surprise at Draco standing so close to her, staring at her unabashed. The towel slipped further down her body and Hermione quickly caught the ends holding it tightly. A light blush spread throughout her as she looked back up into Draco's darkening eyes.

"Miss me?" Hermione teased, her throat suddenly dry.

Draco didn't bother to try to hide his lust for her answering huskily."You have no idea."

Breath hitching Hermione looked everywhere but at Draco. "I should get changed." Not waiting for a response Hermione took some clothes from her dresser rushing past Draco into the bathroom. Locking the door she leaned against it the tears finally burning hot trails down her cheeks.

This is what she wanted right? For him to come back.

So why was it so hard?

Once she was dressed and had a better grip on her emotions Hermione emerged from the bathroom. Draco was seated on the edge of the bed and blanket was spread on the floor beside his feet where Devlin was rolling around playing with his toys.

Draco was the first to speak up. "You had to deal with a lot by yourself."

"I waited for you. I knew you would come back to us." Hermione said honestly walking closer to him.

Standing and moving towards her Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. "With the way I left things I'm surprised you haven't hexed me yet."

Hermione laughed. "I'd be lying if I said that thought didn't cross my mind at least a couple times while I was changing." Taking that extra step she meekly took his hand. "Draco why did you leave?"

"Hermione I promise I will tell you everything. I will answer any of your questions. It's unfair of me to ask this of you but I need you to wait just a bit more.I know Potter and Weasley are going to want to know everything and it's best this conversation happen once."

Hermione held the automatic protest on the tip of her tongue. "Then we leave it till later."

Draco brushed away some of her stubborn curls away from her face. "I waited so long. Everyday I thought of you. Every bloody minute felt like a lifetime."

She couldn't wait anymore.

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck pulling Draco into a bruising kiss. His moan of pleasure went straight to her core and she whimpered in need when his tongue pushed past her lips dominating her mouth. She felt his strength as he grabbed her hips lifting her so that her legs wrapped around his waist. Taking advantage of her gasp of surprise Draco trailed his lips down her neck, biting at the exposed flesh.

"Draco." Hermione panted, thoughts coming back to her again with each intake of air. "The baby."

His lips stopped their descent but Draco didn't let her down. He looked up at her taking in her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. He smiled satisfied. Taking a peek down at Devlin, the baby was blissfully unaware of things as he was in the process of finding out how delectable his toes were. He turned back to his witch. "He's good."

Hermione nodded before laughing softly. She adjusted her arms around his neck pressing a quick kiss to his lips before leaning her forehead against his, closing her eyes. "Be mine."

Draco frowned not understanding her. There would never be anyone to come between them. "I am yours."

Hermione opened her eyes pulling back to look into his. "I won't lose you again. I can't do this again. I want you to be with me."

Draco understood then what she wanted to hear from him. The security she was seeking from him after leaving her vulnerable for so long. He gently set her back down on her feet. "You're talking about making it official aren't you? Titles of boyfriend and girlfriend."

Hermione bit her lip nervously. "Yes. Don't you want to be with me?"

"You know I do." Draco sighed. "I just got back, is this really the time to talk about this?

"I'm not putting this off. I know it seems silly but this small thing gives me something. Surely you don't intend to go around saying 'This is Hermione and she's mine' do you?"

"It works for me."

"Draco. I'm serious." Hermione pleaded.

Draco turned away."You know I don't do relationships. It's not my thing."

To Hermione all she was hearing was hearing the same rehearsed lines over and over again. "That doesn't work anymore. There are plenty of things you didn't do. You have a son. You're on some level of friendship with Harry and Ron as much as you want to disagree with it. You share a bed with a mudblood."

Draco spun around angrily. "I told you not to use that word anymore."

"It doesn't bother me anymore. I know who I am and who I am not. I know what I don't want and what I do want. I'm telling you right now that you need to give me some semblance of stability before we go any further." At his hesitation Hermione moved closer to him even more determined. "Unless there is someone else. Is that it?"

"Don't be daft. I already told you there is no one else." Draco said frustrated. "Why do you need to have that title so bad?"

"Why are you so against it?" Hermione countered. "We need something normal in our lives."

"We're not normal Hermione."

"I know but your alpha male act can only go so far." Draco's jaw was set and Hermione could see him giving thought to what she was saying. That was progress.

"If we do there really isn't anyone you can tell. What's the point? We can't go public. Everyone that can know already know about us."

"This will be enough."

Draco swallowed heavily. "Okay shorty. We'll do it your way."

There was a shriek of delight and soon he his arms were wrapped around the Gryffindor princess. The smile that was stretched across her face was so wide he knew there would be no regret over his decision.

"Mione! You home?!"

There was the sound of a slamming door downstairs and Hermione jumped in fright. "Hermione!" The sound of her name causing her to jump away from Draco.

Draco chuckled. "You would think your parents caught you in the middle of something naughty."

Hermione shot him a look. "I'm heading down. Best I let Harry and Ron know you're back before they see you. They're not exactly your biggest fans at the moment." Draco opened his mouth to probably give a sarcastic retort but Hermione held her hand up. "No time to argue about this. Watch Devlin."

"Hey guys." Hermione called out to her friends as she stepped into the living room.

Immediately there were two sets of suspicious eyes looking at her.

"You seem particularly happy today." Harry said slowly.

"Yea, what you'd do today? Where's Devlin?" Ron asked.

"Upstairs." Hermione took a seat on the couch. "There's something you should know about."

"Hey Hermione." Sarai called out coming from the kitchen interrupting anything the boys were going to say. She started to move past Hermione to where Harry and Ron had already taken a seat opposite of Hermione. "Woah! What's this I see?"

"Huh?" What's what?" Hermione asked confused.

Sarai's eyes were wide in surprise. "I didn't know you had it in you. I mean not that you can't do what you want on your own time. No one expects you to wait for him forever."

"Sarai what are you going about?" Harry asked. "I don't think even Hermione knows what you are talking about." Hermione was sitting there looking just as bewildered as the others in the room.

"Hermione, you have a couple hickeys on your neck." Sarai explained slowly.

Eyes wide Hermione automatically slapped a hand to the side of her neck where Draco lips had been moments earlier. "Uhh..uh…"

"Hermione!" Ron shouted jumping to his feet.

Harry shook his head, clearly trying to wrap his mind around this. "I don't get it. Mione, is there someone else we should know about?"

"Don't be stupid Potty. No one lays a hand on what's mine."

Hermione groaned dropping her face into her hands trying to hide away. Why did this man live to torture her so? "Draco why couldn't you wait." She grumbled into her hands.

Draco was now beside her, Devlin babbling contently in his arms. "What's that luv? Couldn't quite hear you."

"You're back!" Sarai was rushing to his free side and hugging him tightly.

"Just got back." Draco confirmed.

Sarai pulled back taking a good long look at him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm good." Draco tilted his head towards Harry. "Scarhead been taking care of you?"

Sarai rolled her eyes but smiled all the same. "He's very good to me."

"Pity. Just need one reason to end his miserable life." Draco drawled.

Harry stood rubbing at his scar. "Only you would come back waltzing back into our lives trying to point fingers at others when there is so much you have to explain."

"Unbelievable! Don't you have anything to say for yourself?" Ron pressed, looking ready to charge at the blonde within seconds.

Stepping away from Draco's side, Sarai grabbed Harry's hand pulling him down onto the couch with her. "Okay let's all calm down. I don't think any of us here truly believed that Draco just left for sport."

Ron grumbled but motioned to Draco. "Well go on. Explain to us why it is you abandoned your responsibilities."

"Ron please." Hermione pleaded.

The redheaded boy shrugged not concerned with how his words sounded. "I'm really curious to know."

"I am too." Harry said staring Draco down. He remembered what he had talked about with Ron the night they had arrived here at Hermione's house. They seemed to agree that Draco had left unwillingly to protect those close to him. Now that Malfoy was in front of him, Harry only hoped that what he had assumed was true.

"You two are extremely lucky that Hermione adores you two otherwise I would have already been sent to Azkaban for killing you both." Eyeing both Harry and Ron with annoyance Draco took a calming breath hoping it would help ease his violent intents towards them. "For your information I didn't want to leave them. I was forced to."

"Forced? By who?" Hermione was genuinely concerned. There were not many out there that could pressure Draco to do anything he didn't want to.

Draco steeled his jaw, this conversation very difficult to discuss with so many people. "My father. He sent me a letter the morning of the day I left. It was completely unexpected and sudden."

"What did he want?" Hermione asked.

Draco faced Sarai. "He knows that you are with me. There are not many places you could run to so it wasn't unexpected that he guessed where you father isn't overly concerned with your business but he has no qualms about using you for his advantage. If I didn't head back home he would have brought your father and demanded your return home."

Sarai dipped her head low squeezing her eyes in frustration. "You shouldn't have left because of that. I would have went back and dealt with my own mess."

"Please Sarai don't make a mockery of me. As if I would hand you over just like that." Draco huffed.

Sarai looked up at her cousin. "But…"

"Don't make me upset. I've told you many times before that you are my responsibility and I will take care of you no matter what."

"You're not telling us everything." Hermione said accusingly. "There's more to it isn't there."

Draco chuckled rolling his eyes as he shifted Devlin to his other hip. "Nothing gets past you my dear smart witch."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Not really sensing the compliment in there."

All playfulness was wiped from his face. "It seems he was tipped off about our relationship."

Shaking her head in disagreement Hermione asked, "How is that possible? No one would have been in contact with him."

"Exactly. No one has anything to gain from telling him." Ron said.

"There is one." Draco looked at Hermione seeing her stare straight ahead as she dug through her mind for the answer. Seconds later her head snapped up, her eyes full of disbelief and Draco nodded in approval. "Yes."

"No. No. No." Hermione repeated over and over again. "Even after everything. I don't understand."

"We don't understand. What are you both going on about?" Ron looked back and forth between the two trying to get some since of understanding.

"That bitch!" Hermione cried disgusted.

"Hermione! Who are you talking about?" Harry asked troubled over the fact that someone had caused Hermione to say such a word. She was adamantly against any profanity and for her to use it was cause for concern.

Hermione looked to her friends and back to Draco. The Slytherin shrugged his shoulders. "Go on and tell them. It's not like they don't hate me already."

Hermione took a deep breath as she turned to her best friends. "There was an incident a while back regarding Hailey, a Slytherin from our year. She transferred from Hogwarts shortly before our winter break."

"What does she have to do with anything?" Harry asked.

Hermione bit her lip slightly embarrassed. "She sort of caught me and Draco in the hallway one night."

"Caught you doing what?" Ron always seeming to be a bit more clueless than the others asked immediately.

Hermione didn't say anything but gave him a pointed but shamed look. She could see his ears become red to the tips as it slowly came to him. "Ugh! Mione!"

Draco smirked. "Didn't know the girl had it in her did you weasel. The things I could tell you about your oh so innocent princess."

"Draco Malfoy!" Hermione scolded beyond mortified.

Draco remained unconcerned. "What? Nothing to be ashamed of I assure you."

"See where that attitude gets you later." Hermione threatened and at this Draco did seem to balk at. Semi pleased Hermione went back to what she was saying. "Continuing on, after Hailey found us she succeeded in blackmailing us in return for her supposed silence."

"What did she want?" Sarai asked.

Hermione jabbed her thumb in Draco's direction. "Him."

There was a moment of stunned silence before Harry forced out a laugh that suggested anything but amusement. "You better not be telling me that you went to another woman while you were with Hermione." Taking Draco's silence for an answer Harry stood angrily. "How dare you treat her like this! Ron and I trusted you with her!"

Hermione stood too trying to calm Harry. "It was a difficult decision Harry."

"Bollocks!" Ron chimed in before turning to Hermione. "Why didn't you tell us? How can you let him treat you like this?"

Hermione took Ron's hand. "I chose this relationship knowing it wasn't going to be easy. With Draco being who he is, there is bound to be some obstacles. Just as there are obstacles for him being with me. You know that."

Draco who had been silent till now spoke up. "Potter. Weasley. If I could have it any different between Hermione and I would change it in a second. I would never willingly hurt unless I had no other choice. The decision I made is something I will continue to make up to her for the rest of my life."

Harry turned his green eyes blazing towards Draco. "Malfoy so help me if you ever hurt her again I will kill you. Don't you doubt for a second that I will hesitate in taking you out."

"You have my word if that happens you can use my own wand against me." Draco promised.

Hermione squeezed Ron's hand. "Ron? Let's accept this and move on. Look Devlin is upset over all this yelling."

Ron glanced over to the baby in Draco's arm mindful of the dark hue of Devlin's eyes as he struggled with his words, the anger unable to help him form sentences. He fell back on to the couch steaming, releasing Hermione's hand. "Foul git."

Hermione smiled tightly knowing she wouldn't get more than this as she sat back down. "Okay this is all in the past now. So Hailey goes and tattle-tells to Lucius."

"In plain terms, yes she did." Draco said.

Hermione clasped her hands tightly trying not to be angry with the man holding her baby. "So you being..well YOU…decided to return to your old routine and just hoped that things would go smoother."

Draco grimaced hearing her anger just boiling beneath the surface. "I needed you to believe that I had reverted back just in case he continued watching. I firmly believe it was Hailey but there was no way of knowing what else he was planning."

Crossing her arms Hermione leaned back against the cushions frustrated. "You're an idiot!"

Draco eyebrows rose in amusement surprised at her response. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You're an idiot Draco. I understand the position you were in. I truly do. However you can't make these decisions by yourself is different now. You have family and friends here that will do anything to help you. Despite all your bickering I know in my heart that even Harry and Ron would help you if you just asked. It's okay to ask for help."

Draco was extremely uncomfortable where this conversation was headed. "Is that so?"

"Yes! It's what we humans do. We rely on others and don't just go off handling everything on your own."

"Don't go pulling all this psychological shit on me." He said tersely.

"If you didn't keep everything all inside then maybe I wouldn't have to."

"I'm trying okay!" Draco burst out, her words making his chest ache. He immediately turned to the side facing away from everyone in the room.

Hermione softened her gaze taking in his rigid posture. She felt a pang of remorse knowing full well that he was trying his best. Considering how he had been in the past he had changed drastically and she felt a bit selfish for pushing him like she did. "I know you are. I'm just overwhelmed with everything. I'm sorry. As I said everything is in the past. What's done is done."

"When did you get back Draco?" Sarai asked trying to steer the conversation in a different place.

Draco walked over to the fireplace inspecting all the pictures of Hermione and her parents along the mantel. "Two days ago. I wanted to come here as soon as I found out where you lot where but that blithering Headmaster Dumbledore wouldn't let me."

"Dumbledore? You went to see him?" Harry asked surprised.

"Had no choice considering Snape involved him in my business. I should have expected nothing less I guess." Draco turned back to face them all. "Might as well tell you everything considering my mother is at your house." He almost laughed at the comical expressions that mirrored them all.

"Your mother is at my house? Grimmauld 12?" Harry snorted. "See no one tells me anything even when it concerns my own property. How rich."

"Speaking of property Potter, that place is atrocious. It is in such a sorry state I'm afraid that bloody thing will collapse on my mother as she sleeps." Draco commented stating the obvious state of decay the poor place was in. "Don't be such a penny pincher put a little money in the place and fix it."

Harry saluted him mockingly. "Yes sir Mr. Interior Designer." Though deep down Harry knew it probably wasn't a bad suggestion. Their safe house couldn't protect against much if it was falling in on itself.

Draco rolled his eyes at Harry's lack of class. "On top of everything my father also used my mother against me. Despite what you all may think of her she's a good woman that's being imprisoned by her own husband. Without getting into details she treated very poorly and if I didn't move her soon I would have lost her. My father knows how much she means to me and used that to his advantage. When I left I took her without his consent and trust me if he ever finds her, she would suffer unspeakable torment." Practically biting his tongue Draco forced the next words out with difficulty. "Potter she has nowhere else to go. There's nowhere else that's safe for her. Let her stay…please."

Harry was shocked, especially with Draco saying please. "Merlin Malfoy I'm not such a monster that I would kick a woman out on the streets. She stays as long as she wants. She needs anything you let us know and we'll send it."

Draco nodded in thanks. "I owe you Potter."

"You owe me nothing. That's what Sirius intended to use the place for when he gave it to me. It's one of the few places that is safe and where we can take refuge." Harry was thoughtful for a moment. "Technically speaking, since it's property of the Black family, you and Sarai would have had a claim of ownership to the place if Sirius didn't pass it down to me."

Draco dismissed Harry with a wave."Almost forgot that I was related to the man. Second cousins to be exact. Wasn't he burned off the family tapestry?"

Harry nodded. "Yes the runaway as he was called. Aren't you worried you'll be burned next?"

"Not yet but it will eventually happen no doubt." Draco shrugged. "My father won't take that step of actually disowning me because then it will become public knowledge and that in itself would be an embarrassment to the name."

"Won't Devlin's name be on the tapestry then since he's your kid?" Ron asked.

Draco shook his head. "Since Devlin isn't blood related it wouldn't automatically happen. I haven't drawn up the proper papers for the adoption so his name will not appear."

"What else did Dumbledore talk to you about?" Hermione asked.

"He asked about my future plans. Whether I attended to finish school or not. Obviously I can't. That would provide no benefit to anyone." Draco saw Hermione open her mouth to argue but he cut her off right away. "Shorty, before you go on an epic rant about the benefits of school let me stop you. There's is nothing more the school can teach me. I didn't achieve Head Boy for nothing. I have surpassed their curriculum and so have you but I know you would rather die than admit that about your precious school. Besides, I bet all my money that if I came back my father would no doubt find out from another Slytherin and all hell would break loose. It's not worth the risk."

"So you just going to hide out in the Head's tower or head to Grimmauld 12?" Ron asked.

"Haven't decided yet. When the time comes I'll make a decision."

Hermione studied Draco's face unsatisfied with his answer. It was very unlike him to leave things to the last minute. The fact that he didn't seem to have a plan didn't settle right with her. She could only guess that he was hiding something but she couldn't pinpoint what it was he was trying to keep from everyone.

"Tonight is the last night we will be spending here." Harry reminded them. He looked at Draco, "I'm assuming since you talked to Dumbledore recently that you know when we will be leaving."

Reaching into his pocket Draco pulled out a folded black and white photograph. "Port key. Activates tomorrow night at eight."

Sarai moaned falling back against the sofa cushions. "No fair. I'm back to being confined in the tower. This break went by too fast."

Harry took hold of his girlfriend's hand. "Just for a bit longer. We'll figure something out soon okay?"

Sarai nodded but she didn't seem too convinced. "I guess."

The group was startled at the sound of the front door opening. "Hermione! Where are you dear? I found the cutest little clothes for Devlin. Bring my grand-baby to come try them on."

Hermione's eyes went wide shooting a frightened glance at Draco. "My mother." She barely whispered the word before Mrs. Granger walked into the living room.

She was all smiles as she set down a heap of bags on the floor. It took Mrs. Granger a good minute to realize the stunned blonde gray-eyed man standing in front of her fireplace. "Good heavens!" Everyone held their breath as Hermione's mother studied him. "Devlin really is the spitting image of you!"

Hermione let out a ragged breath standing to walk over to her mother. "Mum I didn't know you would be home so early."

After a few more seconds of staring Mrs. Granger looked at her daughter. "I know you said Devlin took after his father despite them not being blood related but this is outstanding." She turned away flustered. "Where are my manners? I'm Hermione's mother, Cassandra."

Draco cleared his throat shaking the hand Hermione's mother had offered him in greeting. "Draco Malfoy, ma'm. It's a pleasure."

Mrs. Granger smiled brightly at him and Draco could now see where Hermione got it from. It was contagious and soon he was smiling back.

Devlin, at seeing his grandma started bouncing reaching out for her. Mrs. Granger cooed and ticked his belly before pulling him into her arms. "Hello my precious! I missed you so much." She placed a hand on Draco's arm. "Let me tell you, this little boy has taken over my heart completely. Come now. Follow me and I'll get some lunch going and we can just ogle at this heaven sent little boy."

Draco tilted his head as he looked at the kind woman who offered no judgement. He nodded in agreement a soft smile gracing his features as he followed her into the kitchen.

The day passed smoothly full of warm conversation. Harry, Ron and Sarai left the house later on in the night wanting to enjoy their last evening. They left only after Hermione reassured them that she wanted to stay in with Draco. Mrs. Granger had finally retired to her room joking that "old women her age tired much faster than she liked".

Hermione stood from the kitchen table with a drowsy Devlin tucked under her chin. "Let's head upstairs and put the baby to sleep."

Draco followed after her and was halfway up the stairs when he suddenly stopped. Hermione no longer hearing him behind her saw him and frowned. His face was an emotionless mask, something she had not seen him show in a long time. "Is everything okay?"

Draco climbed the extra steps to be level with her. "Yeah just go on ahead. I need to step outside for a bit."

Hermione frowned but didn't argue with him. "Okay just come upstairs soon."

With a quick kiss to her lips and no reply Draco was down the stairs and out the kitchen door.

Devlin fussed in arms and Hermione rocked him soothingly. "I know baby. I want daddy back too."

Once outside Draco inhaled the crisp, cold air into his lungs. Digging into his pocket he grabbed the shrunken pack of cigarettes he carried with him. A whisper later and the pack returned to normal size. Taking one out and placing it between his lips, Draco returned the box to its previous state before placing it back in his pocket. Concentrating he held his hand out, a small fire coming to life in the center of his palm. Bringing it close to his face he leaned in lighting the butt of the cigarette. Waving his hand away from his body the flame extinguished quickly.

Taking the cigarette out of his mouth and releasing the smoke into the air he stared at the offending item. "I despise myself for this. Damn bloody muggle." Despite knowing this he didn't seem to be able to stop this addiction. He would say these words as if they alleviated some of his guilt for wanting them. It helped. A little.

Flinching suddenly, he unknowingly pushed his left shoulder forward as a hot, searing pain ripped through him. He grabbed at his left arm waiting for the burn in shoulder to lessen. It had been doing fine all day and when he was walking up the stairs with Hermione he could feel the twinges of pain spiking as it started to act up. Another pain shot through him and he automatically went to touch his shoulder, instantly regretting his action as he hissed in pain from the solid contact.

Dropping his hand uselessly he took another drag of the cigarette. Better to just ride it out.

Five minutes later he threw the butt on the ground crushing it beneath his heel. Looking up at the gathering dark clouds he couldn't help but wonder if there was a storm headed their way.

I'm so stocked to have this chapter written out so quickly even if it was a bit shorter. Needed this chapter to get the ball rolling in the story. You all definitely deserve to have another chapter. Our couple is together but I'm sure you all know the happy ending is not quite in sight yet. Still have a couple of bumps along the road to deal with. Though it is exciting to start getting deeper into the storyline. I hope you all enjoy this chapter as much as you did the last. The response from everyone was overwhelming! Thank you!

: Lots of great moments headed for our couple. Thank you!

shaymars: not staying away this time! So determined! I was focused and it was great getting that feeling again when writing. Really was happy to have such a great response to getting back to the story and was super motivated! Always great hearing from you.

Grovek26: Just hinted a bit of what Draco had planned with escaping. Next chapter will definitely have more of his plans coming through.

TiraFaeMyths: Rollercoaster sounds just about right! Can't promise I won't send you through a couple more loops. Sorry! haha Your review here was great. I love being able to engage with my readers. Thank you. It's because of readers such as yourself that I'm so happy to write!

violetvolpe: You're absolutely right! Always something with Draco. This new chapter only proves that he still has many things up his sleeve.

minniemousemom: Thank you! I was itching to get this chapter out as soon as possible. Hope you enjoyed the read!

LanaLee1: Huge thanks to you! Your encouragement not only for this story but for me as person truly was a gift in itself. I'm so happy with life right now and writing this story and connecting with others is truly amazing. I won't give up on this story and hope to get some chapters out quick. I have a whole story still left to tell and am thrilled to have you with me through it.

G the Headmaster: No worries it's definitely not the end. There's so much more that I have planned for this story so I hope you hang in there with me till the end. Thanks!

The all mighty and powerfulM: Thank you! Hope this chapter continues to intrigue.

Calimocho aka Liz: I couldn't have Draco away from Hermione too long. Even as the writer I was desperate to have them together. Love this couple!

sarahkay502: I think Draco had suffered enough right? He needed his family again. I know we didn't get much on Hermione's parents from Rowling but this is how I imagined them. Hermione is a great character and an amazing friend that I don't doubt she came from such a loving household.

luluxox: I heard you shouting for a new chapter and I delivered! Your enthusiasm for a new chapter was great motivation. Thank you for being here!

EchoWaves: I didn't even realize till now how much I left you on the edge of another cliffhanger! haha I know its's frustrating but I'm glad I've kept you with me. Really appreciate your positive comments on my writing of characters and development. Helped give a great boost of confidence that makes me happy in the direction I'm going.

fflover0910: I come from a family that loves silly nicknames for everyone and when I thought of how much I wanted to have Draco protect her in his arms and love her as he looked down at her, the nickname shorty hit me. I loved it instantly and I'm even happier so many agree!