A/N: Alright, I did not get any reviews for the last chapter posted, but I decided to be valiant and still continue with the story. However, I hope that next time you guys will be more spontaneous with your reviews. I also am sorry to anyone I have not replied to for reviews because the internet has been having some problems! Off to the chapter anyways!

Blissful Reunions

Chapter 19

The next day dawned a frosty winter day. Bitter chills whipped through corridors. Window panes were frosted and the black lake was glazed over. The older students were filing out into the snow clad streets of Hogsmeade while younger students were out on the grounds tossing snowballs at each other.

Draco and Hermione were among those entering Hogsmeade. The two had not spoken much since the previous night and the anxiety was mounting between their silent lips. Both were wearing winter wear. Hermione was clothed in a thick woolen sweater and long cargo pants. She had on her woolen gloves and scarf. Draco was a stark black against the pure snow, wearing a black turtleneck with black trousers. A black leather John Lennon cap circled his head and a black leather belt-with a shining silver serpent with a single green gem embedded for its eyes provided as the clasp-wound it way around his waist. He had thrown on a black cloak and his hands were wrapped in their usual black gloves.

Hermione treaded slowly beside Draco, carefully avoiding his gaze. She blushed as Draco carelessly brushed his hand against hers. The thick leather walls did nothing to quell the intensity of the touch. However, Draco did not seem to have noticed. He was looking at the younger students squealing in pleasant surprise as huge snowballs caught them off guard. He watched silently as students berated each other when they got caught.

At long last, he turned to look into Hermione's honey-colored orbs and smiled awkwardly. "I think the silence is getting rather stressful and the tension is overbearing. Shall we talk it out?" he asked.

"Here?" Hermione asked, nervously playing with the hem of her sweater. Draco did not have to specify what he was talking about for her to understand.

"No-not here. I've already chosen a spot more private. I thought it'd be more-er-apt." Draco elucidated. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his hand with his palm facing the sky.

Hermione smiled faintly, placing her hand delicately on his proffered palm. Taking a deep breath, Hermione nodded and Draco closed his fingers over her hand and led her through the crowded gates leading to and into a secluded clearing.

Hermione hugged herself, reveling in the beautiful ambience of it. Snow was falling gracefully to the ground, caking everything in its white blanket. Trees were caked in thick white frost. The entire place looked as if it had been picked out of a lovely Christmas card.

Hermione looked at Draco. He was leaning casually against a rock, his hands imprinted in the white snow. Snowflakes drifted lackadaisically onto his blonde hair. He shook his head and ran a gloved hand through his hair. "What have you decided upon, Hermione?" he asked and for once, Hermione could hear the nervousness that she felt in his voice.

Hermione shook her head. "Nothing. I wanted to talk to you about it first."

"Go on."

Hermione walked over to the boulder beside Draco and perched herself on it. "Is this about raising the baby or is it about me?"

Draco sighed softly. Leaning nearer to Hermione, he said, "If you asked me whether I favored this eye-" he touched Hermione's left eyelid lightly with his index finger, "or this eye-" he shifted his finger to her right eyelid, "Would I be able to answer?"

Hermione shook her head, enjoying the feel of his fingers on her eyelid and Draco proceeded to take her right hand in his. "If you asked me which of these fingers-" he traced his index finger over all five fingers of Hermione's-"I like most, will I be able to answer?"

Hermione shook her head yet again and Draco asked once more, "If you ask me whether I love you of the baby, will I be able to answer?"

Hermione shook her head slowly again. "How are you going to accept me? Are you sure you want to accept and love a tainted woman with an accursed pregnancy?"

"Your pregnancy is not accursed. It's a blessing." Draco said harshly, but Hermione merely repeated her question.

Draco smiled wanly. "If you are willing to accept an arrogant schizophrenic bastard with a steady tandem of sarcasm, "he countered, matching Hermione wit for wit.

Hermione smiled slowly at this. Draco took a step forward towards Hermione, bending down such that he was facing her face to face. Looking into her eyes, Draco could see his face reflected in her chocolate eyes. His nose grazed Hermione's and her face flushed. "I feel as if I'm swimming in pools of chocolate mousse."

Draco grinned and Hermione took a step back, but Draco took a step forward too, leaving even lesser space between them. She could feel her heart thumping hard against her chest. If this continued, Hermione knew she might just fling herself into Draco's arms and kiss his strawberry-kissed lips.

Instead, she pushed him away and said in exasperated tones, tears warming her cold cheeks, "Don't do this to me, Draco! I don't want my heart broken. I REALLY LOVE YOU! I ADMIT- I HAVE FALLEN FOR YOU!"

Hermione fell to the ground and leant against the aforementioned boulder and cried. "I love you., Draco." She muttered over and over again, tears trickling down her rosy cheeks.

"Finally." Draco breathed.

He walked in swift strides and squatted beside her. Hermione looked up as she felt his hand on her shoulder. She eyed his blonde hair hanging loosely around his shoulders. His lips were creased into one of the most beautiful smiles she had seen. She flung herself into his arms, startling him. Buying her head into the crook between Draco's head and shoulder, Hermione cried tears of joy.

Draco held her for some time as Hermione clung to him. Draco was wordless as he held her. Thousands of emotions were raining through him and it was impossible to actually feel anything separately, but all he could feel was an undeniable happiness. As for Hermione, she knew this was where she wanted to reside all her life. She wanted to spend all her life with Draco by her side. She wanted to share his burdens, his sorrows, his happiness, but she would never share him with anyone else. It just felt so right to have him there, holding her.

Draco craned his neck to look at Hermione and said, "I love you too. I just wanted to make sure you felt the same way about me. I love you Hermione."

"Oh Draco! I love you too! I just did not dare let myself believe it!" Hermione rasped through her tears, hugging Draco-if possible-even tighter.

Draco withdrew lightly and looked into Hermione's eyes, seeking for the permission she gave with a small, submissive blink. Cupping her chin between his lukewarm palms, Draco tipped her head upward to meet his lips. Hermione could instantly feel his warm breath whipping her face and she tiptoed to plant her red lips more firmly against his strawberry-kissed flustered lips. Draco wound his left hand around the nape of Hermione's neck, supporting her head as she tilted it upwards while Hermione entwined the fingers of her left hand in Draco's snow streaked hair, bringing him closer to her. The couple shut their eyes, reveling in the bliss of the torrid kiss. Draco's hand found Hermione's and he held her hand in his as his tongue slipped out of the confines of his mouth to trace the outlines of Hermione's lips, tasting her strawberry lips gloss. Hermione parted her lips and Draco slipped his tongue in, tracing the sweetness of her mouth. His tongue roamed and swept against the sides of Hermione's mouth, having a mind of its own. Hermione moaned softly.

Snow fell deftly on the passionate couple. Air was fast becoming paramount and the two broke apart panting. Draco's eyes focused on Hermione's lovely face. They traced Hermione's flustered cheeks and her kiss-bruised cherry-red lips. He kissed the side of her mouth and said, "Pray forswear thine sight for they've never beheld beauty such as yours 'till now."

Draco had not been lying. Hermione had never looked prettier in his eyes then now. He swooped down to kiss the other side of her mouth and grinned just as Hermione blushed.

Hermione smiled happily. She loved Draco. He made her feel beautiful. He made her feel loved and Hermione knew that this time, she had made the right decision in choosing him.

With Hermione clutching Draco's arm and leaning on it, the two lovers set off to the more brighter and crowded places of Hogsmeade.

Twenty minutes later, Draco and Hermione were seated comfortable in a corner table at The Three Broomsticks, conveniently absorbed in their own conversation to pay attention to the many stares they were getting. The ever present din had subsided once when Draco had marched in with Hermione leaning on his arm, but it had gradually risen again.

Hermione sipped at her Butterbeer thoughtfully before voicing out her thoughts all of a sudden. "Shall we visit your sister and Professor Snape in the evening?"

Draco looked up from his drink, stirring it lightly with his straw. "Is this for me?" he asked slowly, remembering his request.

"For us." Hermione said simply.

Draco silently reached forward and held Hermione's hand. "I love you." He murmured.

"As do I." Hermione answered.

Draco looked at Hermione for a moment, a conclusion forming in his eyes, but he said nothing except, "Could I excuse myself for a moment? I'll be back soon?"

Hermione looked at Draco curiously, but nodded without question as Draco stooped down to kiss her forehead before supporting himself out through the door. She leant back on her seat and happily fantasized about her Draco-yes, her Draco for she knew she finally found her one, true love.

Fifteen minutes later, Draco met Hermione at The Three Broomsticks again and they walked through the lanes together.

Hermione shivered, wrapping her arms around herself as the biting cold bit into her skin. "Cold?" Draco asked, wrapping his coat over her shoulders.

Draco's cheeks flushed immediately and Hermione rubbed her hands and pressed them to his cheek before snuggling close to him. Draco smiled and enveloped her shoulders with his arm to bring her closer to him. "Now would be a great time to meet Frau and Severus, I think. What say you?"

"I say yes." Hermione said.

Hermione held onto Draco's hand, following him as he weaved through trees. They were now in the Forbidden Forest and the deeper they went, the more clueless Hermione became. However, Draco seemed to know the way and she was content in just following, albeit she had been apprehensive when Draco had stopped in front of the Forbidden Forest.

After fifteen more minutes of trudging through bushes, Draco finally stopped in front of a small clearing. There was nothing much to say about it, but there was a sense of thick eeriness lingering in the air. "Come on." Draco said, tugging at Hermione's hand.

Hermione followed and a small hut came into view. It was a wooden hut, probably smaller than the burrow. Warm light was peeking through the windows. It was slightly raised off the ground and wooden planks served as steps. Draco mounted them and rapped on the door. "Who's there?" croaked a voice Hermione assumed as Severus's.

"Who else, but your dear boy Draco?" Draco replied.

"I should have known." Severus grumbled before the sounds of mugs being tossed could be heard.

Draco stood patiently, but when Severus opened the door, he moved slowly to support himself on his crutches. "What happened to you, Severus?" he asked, concerned and Hermione could see why. He no longer looked like the sallow skinned Professor Snape he had once been.

His once greasy, yet smooth hair hung dry and matted against his head. Harsh circles had formed bags under his rather red eyes. Severus's skin was a sickly pale. However, he smiled wanly and said, "That is the result of time and tide. My youth and looks-not that I've had much-have gone wasted." He paused, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Draco's crutches and he added sternly, "Albeit I should be the one questioning you. Those crutches ain't permanent I hope."

Draco laughed mirthlessly. "I'm afraid it is, Severus."

Severus cursed loudly and pulled Draco into a gruff one armed hug.

Hermione tried to shrink away and not interrupt the reunion, but the pair broke up soon enough. Severus spotted Hermione soon enough. Draco turned, following his gaze and beckoned Hermione forward. "Ms Granger, may I question your presence here?" Severus asked as Hermione hesitantly mounted the steps.

"HERMONE is here upon my invitation." Draco replied for Hermione's sake.

Severus registered Draco's use of Hermione's first name and smirked. "So, you're an item huh?" he asked.

Draco's eyes reddened and Hermione blushed furiously. "Yes." Draco mumbled and Severus clapped his shoulder. Draco had meant to tell Severus, but had not expected him to find it out himself.

Severus smiled warmly. "Any friend of yours is mine too." He said saving Draco from further embarrassment.

Draco grinned broadly and said, "I knew you'll understand."

"Come on in Ms-Hermione!" Severus said, stepping back to allow them in. "Welcome to my humble residence!"

"Yes professor." Hermione managed out of practice.

"Severus will do, Hermione." replied Severus and for the first time since she had arrived, Hermione smiled at Severus.

"Severus it is then." She agreed, allowing herself in.

"Where's Frau?" Draco asked the moment he stepped in.

Sorrow wiped the happiness on Severus's face again as he pointed to a small room in the corner of his residence. Draco gripped Hermione's wrist and pulled her along. They stepped into an immaculate room. It lacked furniture and had just a wooden bed and a chair. A mattress-where Hermione presumed Severus slept- was on the ground beside the bed. A pillow had been propped on the chair and that was where Frau was seated.

Draco strode over to her and Hermione followed. Hermione could tell that Severus took god care of Frau. She looked normal. Dressed in muggle clothes with a sweater and jeans, Frau looked every bit sane. if Hermione had not known better, she would have thought Frau was sane.

As Draco neared her, Frau looked up. She grabbed Draco's hand and swung it around wildly, clearly delighted to see her brother. Draco responded affectionately, kissing her forehead lightly. Frau saw Hermione and shrank away in fear. As Hermione neared her, Frau began kicking and squirming. Draco gripped Frau's shoulders to restrain and made motions to let her understand that Hermione was a friend. Severus rushed over too and the two men explained as best as they could while Hermione hovered uncertainly, but Frau seemed not to understand. Exasperated, Draco grabbed Hermione and kissed her full on the lips.

Frau stopped immediately and clapped her hands, finally getting the message. Severus made a quick swipe at his eyes, returning to his unfathomable mask. Draco broke away immediately, his eyes those of pure sorrow. He walked over to Frau and sat at her feet. Severus smiled at Hermione. Clutching Frau's Draco rested his head on Frau's lap and closed his eyes.

"I daresay I owe you an apology after all these years of torture. So, come on!" Hermione turned around to see Severus smiling wryly at her.

Hermione smiled and nodded, understanding he meant 'let's leave Draco alone for awhile." How he knew Draco needed it, she could only guess.

A/N: That's another chapter down! Sorry it took so long, but school's just started and I still have to adjust to the new year!

Reviews please!