Disclaimer: Nothing from Harry Potter, in any shape or form, belongs to me. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: For the hundredth time—I am not dropping this story, friends. I haven't been able to update because I've been recovering from surgery. Not to worry, I'm slowly getting my strength and ambition back. I will not stop this story. Please stop worrying. I'll never abandon this. Just give me some time and please be patient. I'm trying, really, I am.

Haha, so, update, anyone? I think I've kept it from you long enough, don't you? My apologies. Enjoy!

-Annie

Moving Forward

I woke the next morning, humming myself out of sleep. I'd been dreaming of Sleeping Beauty. It had been such a good dream, I didn't want to wake up. However, the sun had different plans. It burned and seared unforgivably into my eyes, through the bed linens, the pillow thrown over my face, bouncing off the walls, flooding my brain.

Sighing, I finally gave up.

The soft sheets, warmed by the morning sunlight filtering in through the open balcony doors, skimmed my fingers as I stretched across the mattress like a lounging kitten. A well glorified yawn rounded out of my mouth as I reached across the bed, my hands searching. Realizing there was just empty space, I sat upright, rolled my shoulders, and frowned.

Draco was gone.

I shook my mane of honey colored tresses and yawned again. The clock on the nightstand read a blinking eight thirty. Deciding it was time to start my day, I reluctantly curled out of bed and hobbled tiredly into the bathroom to change. There was no possible way my hair was going to stay managable today, so I threw it up into a curly bun and skewered it with two oriental chopsticks. Then, I slipped into some khaki shorts and a loose fitting black shirt.

I was too sleepy to do much of anything else, but I knew there was no way I could go back to sleep now.

"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you, the gleam in your eye is so familiar a gleam," I half-yawned, half-sang while I descened the stairs.

The sun was so bright; a headache was already forming by the time I appeared in the kitchen. Grabbing a bowl, some Grapenuts cereal, and the Daily Prophet, I swooped into the dining room and began my morning. The headline caught my eye.

Troubles in France.

Suddenly, Draco appeared in the doorway, tossing a green apple playfully in the air. He was wearing his usual work attire, complete with tie and robes. I frowned at the briefcase he was holding in his other hand.

"Morning," he greeted with a small smile.

"Have you seen this?" I wondered, showing him a glimpse of the front page.

Slowly, he sauntered over to me and took the paper easily from my grasp, skimming it. He sighed heavily and threw the paper back down on the wooden table.

"Unfortunately," he replied lowly. "I don't know how I'm going to fix this problem."

Draco gripped the edge of the wooden table and sighed. His eyes seemed strained and tired.

"Their minister is weak-skinned and superstitious," Draco continued. "Instead of trusting us as he should, he's convinced we're out to ruin him. We've been trying to convince him otherwise, but you know the French. Always so—"

"Stubborn," I finished. I'd heard his spiel a million times. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Well, I thought I'd go to the office today. I've got loads to catch up on."

I bit my lip in displeasure.

"It's the weekend, Draco," I reminded him keenly.

"I've got a lot on my plate, as you can tell."

I nodded, trying to play indifferent, but I couldn't repress the worry I had bubbling in my stomach. For some ungodly reason, I fretted that what had happened between Ari and Ron was beginning to play out in my realtionship with Draco. After all, wasn't that how it had all started? He'd started pulling extra hours at work? Now, Draco might be doing the same thing, except unlike Ron, Draco had more of a reason. Draco's own wife was missing eleven years of her life.

"Y—You'll be home for dinner?" I asked, my voice cracking.

He seemed shocked by the insecurity in my voice and came over to me, gripping my small hands in his.

"Of course I will," he vowed and I swallowed, hating myself for how emotional I was getting. I was being so stupid.

He seemed concerned and tightened his grip. "What's wrong?"

"It's just...yesterday. We've come so far and everything was going fine. I am so sorry. Please, Draco. I don't want any problems. As odd as it may be, we work together. We just fit. And I need you in my life."

Draco smiled, cupping my cheek affectionately.

"I know. And I'm sorry for the row last night, too. Let's just forget it ever happened, love. I trust you."

I wanted nothing more than to pull him back to me, but I let him go with great reluctance, knowing he needed to be elsewhere. I watched from the den as he stepped into the fireplace, blowing me a kiss before disappearing. Hating myself for the irrational way I was feeling, I turned from the fireplace and plopped on the couch, sighing heavily and burying my head in my hands.

"Are you okay?" asked Pamela suddenly, entering from the back door.

She quickly came to my side and threw an arm around my shoulders, gripping me tightly as if knowing I was close to breaking. I embraced her thankfully, feeling my spirits lift ever so slightly with her comfort.

"I'm fine," I assured her and when she raised her eyebrows at me, I laughed. "I promise. It has just been a rough couple of days."

"More than rough," she corrected, patting my arm. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, Pamela," I said and nudged her. "Now what did you want to ask me?"

She stared at me, flabbergasted. "How did you know?"

"You are so completely obvious when you want something," I stated with a smirk and Pamela's cheeks reddened.

"I was just going to see if you would be opposed to Dennis and me going on a date this evening," she whispered.

"You're going on a date!" I shouted.

"O—Only if it is okay with you," she hurried. "If you need me to watch the boys—"

"Nonsense, don't be ridiculous," I cried, hugging her. "I'm so happy for you, truly."

"If you and Draco already have plans, I can just tell him—"

"No, you go and have a wonderful evening together," I commanded. "Anyway, Draco is working late and I have nothing planned so there's no reason to stay."

"Thank you," Pamela giggled.

The next few hours consisted of me cleaning the house, visiting my mother, playing far too much 'pretend pirates' with Haden, and watching repetitive amounts of TV with the boys. Around five o'clock, Pamela came inside with the boys with grass stains of her knees and rosy cheeks. The boys soon followed, both laughing and dirty-faced. I looked up from the story book I'd purchased from the store the other day and quirked an eyebrow at them.

"What exactly happened to you?" I asked Pamela, shutting my book and setting it on the coffee table.

"You act like you've never seen dirt before," Pamela responded with a wink, panting. "We just had a bit of fun. Is Dennis here, yet?"

I shook my head and checked my watch.

"He should be here soon. I know he's with Harry today, but I made sure Harry knew not to keep him long. No promises, though," I informed her with a smirk.

"Right, well, I'm going to go get changed," she squeaked and bustled out the door.

"Alright, boys!" I called, clapping my hands together as I stood. "To the bathtubs."

Jasper rolled his eyes like I was annoying him in some unlawful way and Haden pouted.

"No, Mummy," Haden argued, shaking his mane of curly chestnut locks. "I don't want to."

"I know, sweetie, but Daddy will be home soon and I need to start dinner," I reminded the boy. "Now go upstairs with your brother and take a bath, please."

"But, I don't want to."

"Jazz, make sure he cleans himself properly, will you?" I asked and the blond nodded before dragging his brother up the stairs.

I smiled after them. It still shocked me how much I loved the children I'd created with Draco. Everyday, I loved them more and more. There was no denying that these children were mine in every way, shape, and form. I had no idea how I could possibly cope if they were taken away from me.

Putting that horrible thought out of my head, I checked my watch again. Draco still wasn't home. Sighing, I started on preparing some orange chicken, rice, stir-fried vegetables, and chocolate mousse for dinner, hoping that it would occupy my thoughts instead of Draco.

Suddenly, the fireplace chimed and I jumped, nearly dropping the entire container of orange sauce in the trash bin. I hurried to see who'd arrived and felt myself deflate upon realizing it was just Dennis. He waved, sending me a friendly smile and I returned it reluctantly. I mentally slapped myself for getting my hopes up. Then, I had to wonder why on earth my hopes had been up in the first place.

Was I going mad or was I actually starting to...feel...something for...

No, I thought hastily. I'm so not going there.

"Hello, Dennis," I greeted, clearing my throat. "How was your meeting?"

"Can't say," he grunted teasingly. "Classified and such. I'm sure you understand?"

I rolled my eyes at his joking manner and returned to the kitchen.

"Er, is Pammy around, by chance?" Dennis wondered, poking his head into the kitchen.

"She should be inside any minute. She went to freshen up a few minutes ago."

"Right. Thanks."

"Don't be nervous, Dennis," I laughed. "I know that she'll love whatever you have planned for her tonight."

Right on cue, Pamela pranced through the back door and greeted Dennis with a timid smile.

"Hello," she said softly, her eyes alight with a thousand tiny embers.

"You look beautiful," Dennis said, extending his arm. "Shall we?"

Pamela nodded and I sent her an encouraging thumbs up as she passed me by. The fireplace chimed and they were gone.

I wonder what mine and Draco's first date was, I thought to myself as I continued with dinner. I'd never really thought of it before. Did he pull something fancy and sweep me off my feet? Did he try and level down to my comfort zone and do something simple? Did I initiate the first date or did he? Or did we even have a so called "first date"?

My heart suddenly jolted as two arms encircled my waist. I dropped the wooden spoon I'd been holding in the sink and screamed loud and clear.

"Oh my good bloody gracious!" I howled, spinning around and knocking my nose with Draco's. He instantly started laughing and I scowled, punching him in the shoulder. "Don't do that! You startled me to death."

"My apologies," he snickered. Infuriated, my heart still racing, I turned back to the dinner and tried not to think about how he was still holding me.

"Looks good," he whispered in my ear.

"It's almost done," I said in response, trying to ignore how his warm breath on my neck made me shiver.

"I wasn't talking about the food," he breathed, wriggling his eyebrows at me. Despite myself, I blushed and he, again, burst into laughter.

"Prat," I laughed, swatting him. "You said you'd be home by five. I was expecting you home."

"I had to make a pitstop," he explained, his eyes twinkling with mischievousness.

"Oh?"

"Mhm, had to do something extremely important."

"Important enough to miss dinner and break your word to your wife?" I gasped jokingly.

"Why, yes, actually."

I snorted. "Okay, now I'm curious. What, pray tell, kept you?"

As way of answering, he put up a finger signalling he'd only be a moment and disappeared into the den, leaving me confused. He returned only seconds later, a cheeky grin on his pale face, and brandished twelve red roses.

"For you," he said.

"M-Me? Whatever for?" I choked, taking the beautiful flowers. He'd even taken the time to get the thorns removed so that I wouldn't stick myself.

"You are my wife, of course," he answered deeply, edging toward me. "Must a husband always need a reason for buying his wife flowers?"

A nervous laugh escaped my throat. "In most cases yes. Unless you're always this romantic?"

"I won't deny that last statement, but I did have a reason."

"One of life and death?" I teased.

"Perhaps," he replied with a smile, but then grew sober. "I wanted to apologize again for my behavior last night."

Timidly, I raised the scarlet petals to my nose and sniffed.

Heaven, I thought in delight.

"I forgive you."

Now that's a rare treat, the sarcastic voice in the back of my head piped. Hermione Granger forgiving Draco Malfoy.

"Splendid!" Draco exclaimed and clapped his hands together. Then, suddenly, his beautiful smile disappeared and he frowned deeply.

"What is it?" I wondered, worried.

"There's just one more thing."

"What?" I prodded, but he remained silent. "Draco Malfoy!"

He cleared his throat at my outburst and smirked.

"Do you forgive me for almost missing dinner and almost breaking my promise to you?"

My insides relaxed and I sighed in relief. Always the tease.

"Oh, that's a difficult decision," I joked, "but considering you weren't late, although you certainly cut it close, and you did risk your life to find me these exquisite flowers..." I trailed off, smelling the flowers again. "Yes, I suppose I'll be forced to forgive you."

He let out a bark of a laugh and kissed my cheek.

"You wound me, you know that? I never knew you could be so abusive."

"You should have figured that out before you married me, hot shot," I reminded him and left the kitchen to set the table while Draco called the boys down for dinner.

Once we were all seated at the table and greedily stuffing our faces, Draco dropped a bomb shell on me, nearly destroying my world.

"My mother is hosting her summer gala and has requested our attendance," he told me and I swallowed roughly, inhaling my chicken.

Draco's mother. Narcissa Malfoy. Narcissa. The beautiful and intimidating woman I'd met only on brief occasions.

"Are you sure that's right?" I sputtered. "She doesn't quite like me from what I remember."

"You're also missing eleven years of your life," he reminded me, taking my hand in his. "She's quite fond of you now. Anyway, it will be in the evening and you'll need to wear a formal dress."

I tried not to dwell too much on the news, but I failed immensely and continued to fret about the upcoming gala for the rest of dinner. Grateful to have something to do, I clambered into the kitchen to do the dishes. Afterwards, I joined Draco and our sons outside to roast marshmallows and play as a family.

It helped put my mind at ease, allowing myself to let go of everything and play with my husband and children. It was a nice break from everything. "These absurd things are so sticky," Draco complained, dropping his marshmallow onto the grass and pouting.

"Aw, here, you can have mine," I consoled, taking my marshmallow off my stick. With a glint in my eye, I suddenly shoved the marshmallow in his face, smearing the sticky whiteness all over him.

"Oi!" he cried as Jasper and Haden howled in laughter.

Draco shot for me but I whisked away, darting around the yard. Of course, he chased me, and he was much faster, but Haden and Jasper came to my rescue just in time. They tackled their father to the ground before he could catch me and we all tumbled to the grass, laughing hysterically.

By the time the sun went down, both boys were exhausted from all the fun. Draco carried a sleepy Haden up to his room while I slowly lugged Jasper up the stairs, his hand in mine as he trudged to his room next to me. Together, Draco and I kissed our children goodnight and turned off the lights.

"I had a wonderful evening," I said once we were alone in the hallway.

"Me too," Draco agreed.

There was a tense silence as Draco inched closer to me, ever so slightly. A breath away and his hand clasped mine. Our foreheads touched, our breath danced, our skin flared, and our arms came around each other. So close to jumping into a fire I knew would either burn me or warm me, but I couldn't tell.

Slam.

There was a giggle from somewhere downstairs. Pamela and Dennis, trying and failing to be quiet, obviously slightly drunk. I pulled away from Draco as if he'd set me on fire. Instantly, I could see he was hurt and I cast my eyes to the ground.

"Shh," I could hear Pamela whispering. "Don't wake them up. Come with me."

"Wait," Dennis laughed and then they were quiet, the only sound an occasional smooching noise, indicating they were kissing.

And then the back door shut.

I swallowed, noticing how Draco and I were now barely holding each other. The moment had come and gone, like so many others, and I didn't know how to retrieve it. Didn't know if I wanted to, even.

Draco sighed and released my hand.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, ashamed that I didn't have the courage to give him what he wanted.

"I've got a lot of work to do," was all he said before fleeing to his study and shutting the door.

I was left standing in the hallway, wondering why I was such a coward. Wondering.

That night, when my husband joined me in our bed, he did not hold me. And though I wished I could ask him to, it was enough that he was even there. I didn't want to push it, afraid I would lose even this.

Afraid to be out of my comfort zone. Afraid to push myself past that point of no return. Afraid to love a man who so obviously desired my love.

Afraid.

I wondered what exactly had happened since I'd woken up next to Draco to make all my Gryffindor bravery shrink till it was shot to hell.