Woo Hoo!!! Got another chapter out before it got tooo long of a wait!! yay!!

All right, I know you all are super excited and believe me so am I. Now, things are beginning to wind down now, and by wind down I mean get back to the easy things to write, lol the twists!!! Seriously though things will start getting better and you all will be killing me for the next chapters.

As always thanks for the reviews. I've been working really hard to get this story back on track. I was having such difficulty with it, but now things are getting back together. I can honestly say that there won't be too much more before it ends. But never fear, you'll love it!!

Disclaimer: I'd be the luckiest person if I were secretly JK Rowling. However I'm super unlucky...(tear)

Grandfather Aemilius

As the sun rose the next morning and the beams fell through the sheer curtains of their bedroom Hermione was the first to open her eyes. She was lying on her side facing the window, Draco's face inches from her own. He was still sleeping peacefully some stray strands of hair falling across his forehead. She wondered what time it was as she stared at him. His arms were about her waist holding her body close to his. She knew they would have to get up soon, but she was marveling at the happiness lying in bed with him created within her.

The house was relatively silent, save for the faint sounds from the kitchen of their breakfast being prepared. She couldn't smell the meal but she knew that the smells would soon be wafting up the stairs to fill her nostrils. The room around her was lit up with the light of the sun, and she gazed at all the lovely things that now belonged to her, thinking all the while on the perfect way to wake the sleeping man beside her.

Beside her Draco turned in his sleep, rolling away from her to lie on his back taking away his warm embrace. Hermione watched as his head rolled, turning away from her so all she saw was his profile. All his features were perfect in her opinion. She propped herself up on one elbow, looking at the clock on the table just past him. It was quarter till nine. She looked down at him, his bare chest rising and falling slowly. She wondered if he really knew how beautiful he was. Of course she knew how attractive he knew he was, but she wondered then if he saw the things she saw in him. The shape of his face, the curves of his lips, things that were so amazingly attractive to her, did he see them too?

His lips were parted slightly, the full pale lips she'd loathed. She'd hated his mouth once, for it had a way of mocking her that he fully realized. With just a smirk or a sneer he could drive her mad. Even when he'd not been taunting her, merely sitting in class taking his notes with his smug look, his lips twisted in his little grin, had frustrated her. But now her feelings had changed. Such a mocking mouth, teasing without words, was her favourite part about him. With a kiss he could change her, make her happy when she wasn't, make her better when she wasn't. His mouth could still annoy her, but always made up for it afterward. She adored his mouth.

Leaning forward she kissed his sleeping lips, shivering with delight. As she pulled back she watched his face as he slowly opened his eyes. He smiled softly, bringing his arms up around her and pulling her down onto his chest. He didn't speak but held her there against him for a moment. She turned her head, resting her chin on his chest and staring up into his face.

"You're awake." She said softy.

"Thanks to you."

"You would have had to get up soon anyhow. It's almost nine."

"Oh I wasn't complaining. It was much better than the alarm clock." He said stretching his arms above his head.

Hermione let her hands run up his chest reaching his shoulders. Draco looked down at her, trying to stifle a yawn. He put his hands behind his head and stared at her as she pulled herself up until they were face to face. He stared into her eyes loving the sensation that their closeness was bringing. Her hands lightly skimmed the skin of his neck as her fingers wound their way into his hair.

Draco's arms once again encircled her as she leaned in and kissed him deeply. He returned the kiss with just as much fervor as it was delivered. As they kissed he pulled her closer, holding her trembling form to him almost as if afraid that if he let go she'd leave him forever. Her fingers were working their magic, driving him into a heated passion. Her lips caressed his in a teasing fashion, biting and nipping at his lips. It was moments like these that he enjoyed the most. But it was moments like these that were so confusing to him.

Slowly Draco rolled her over so she was staring up at him. He trailed kisses down her jaw to her neck. Soft playful bites made her giggle softly, musically. His left hand trailed down her side over her shirt until he reached the hemline. His fingertips could feel the little bit of warm skin that was revealed. As he paid particular attention to the bit of flesh just beneath her right ear that he knew made her shiver his fingers pushed under the shirt. In an agonizingly pleasurable way they drifted up her side, barely touching her skin. Her breaths were quickening and he knew she was enjoying his ministrations on her neck. Her arms held him in a tight embrace as her fingernails dug lightly into his strong shoulders.

Outside the sun shone brightly flooding the room with brilliant light. He paused looking up into her beautiful face, adoring her in that light. He leaned in catching her lips in a kiss that she returned and deepened. Her fingernails slowly scratched down his back, a feeling he delighted in. Softly he nibbled on her earlobe something he knew she loved. She wriggled beneath him letting out the softest of moans. His hand was still roaming about under her shirt, softly caressing her skin.

They would have continued. Would have had the pop from the end of the bed not startled Hermione. Draco turned around to look and saw one of their many house elves standing there shifting nervously. Draco hated their timing sometimes. This was the second time a house elf had interrupted his time with Hermione.

"What?" He asked letting Hermione up.

"Sirs, your parents have sents a letter." The elf said in its high elfish voice before bowing low its ears slapping the carpet.

"All right, bring it here." He said holding out his hand. The elf hopped over holding out the paper.

Draco read the note. It was only few sentences long telling them to be at the house by ten o' clock. Draco looked at the clock only to see that it was already quarter after nine. Draco grabbed for his wand and used it to levitate a quill from the desk in the corner a bottle of in following. Quickly he scribbled down a return note.

"Send it through the Floo system." He said handing the elf the note and it popped away to do as he said.

Slowly Draco climbed from the bed scratching his side and staring out the window. Hermione got out of bed as well standing beside him. She was smiling when he looked at her. He turned to her a questioning look on his face. She took a step closer throwing her arms about his neck and staring up into his eyes with her chocolate orbs.

"What are you smiling about?" he asked smiling for it was contagious.

"Nothing important." She said as his hands snaked about her waist.

"Well then, do you want the shower first?" he asked.

Hermione's smile widened.

"Do you think there's enough time? Your father will be terribly upset if we're late." She said softly.

Draco's smile changed understanding why his brilliant wife was smiling so. With a devilish grin he shook his head. Slowly his hands traveled up her sides and along her arms until they'd taken her hands into his own. Untangling them from around his neck he started toward the bathroom, pulling her along behind him. They entered the bathroom and Draco pulled her small form against him kissing her passionately as she kicked the door closed with her foot, giving them their privacy from any house elves.

A short time later Hermione and Draco descended the stairs hand in hand. Both had damp hair and were speaking softly to one another as they entered the living room where the Floo grate was located. Draco stopped turning her to face him, looking into her eyes. She looked striking in the evergreen dress she was wearing. Her hair was curling as it dried and pulled back in a half up half down style. She was wearing a small black sweater and the necklace he'd given her for her birthday. He smiled and leaned in to softly brush his lips past hers.

"You look beautiful." He whispered into her ear.

When he pulled back he saw a blush creeping into her cheeks and smirked. Then hand in hand they entered the green flames that appeared when he threw his handful of Floo powder in the fire. Calling out the name of his parent's home they disappeared reappearing at the house where Draco had grown up.

Upon walking out of the grate Draco used his wand to clean them both up, still holding tightly to her hand. Then slowly they made their way to the entrance hall of the house where he knew they would all be waiting. When they turned into the hall he was right. Draco's father was standing before the same group of men that had been at their house the night before and they all stood around cloaks in hand.

"Morning Father." Draco said softly as his father looked at him.

"Draco." His father mumbled inclining his head at Hermione.

Draco's mother was standing there as well and gave Hermione a soft smile relaxing the nervous girl. There was silence for a moment and Draco wondered what they were all waiting for. Then suddenly and elf appeared beside his father quickly whispering something out before disappearing again.

"The cars are around front. We can head out now." Lucius said to the crowd that had gathered in the foyer.

Nodding the men started out of the house where Hermione could see two very long cars waiting. Lucius turned and started out the doorway leaving Narcissa standing there following him with her eyes. Draco gave his mother a quick hug and the woman kissed his cheek. Hermione also bade her farewells before taking the hand that Draco offered and following him out of the house.

They stepped out into the morning sunlight a breeze blowing at the end of the dress Hermione wore. She tugged at it with her free hand, keeping it from blowing up and revealing more than it should. Draco opened the door to the car that was already filled with six or seven men. Lucius climbed inside and Hermione was next. She slid onto the seat placing herself neatly between her husband, who climbed in after her, and her father in law. Lucius looked down at her, surveying her before turning away. She could tell he didn't enjoy the idea of sitting beside her but Draco's comforting hand winding its way into hers eased her.

The cars started on their way, slowly circling around the drive and down toward the road that must have been beyond. She looked around the car, staring at all the men that sat there, riding in silence. The day was bright and sunny and the sun fell through the windows of the car though dimmed by the tint. As the ride continued on Lucius cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak.

"After our visit, you two will be coming back to Malfoy Manor to have dinner with the Dark Lord. There you will give your report on everything that happened, before you Floo back to school."

Draco nodded his head in understanding glancing down at Hermione. He knew that she didn't like the idea of going to eat with Voldemort but what choice did they have. But soon things would go back to normal, and they would be back at school and it would be quite a while before she would have to put up with him again.

As the cars continued along the road the hum of the tires on the road made Hermione's eyes tired. Her lids began to droop as her body settled into the seat. She was told that the ride would be a long one, possibly half an hour or so. She didn't see a problem with taking a nap in the car. Closing her eyes completely she rested her head against Draco's shoulder, snuggling against him as she relaxed. Draco lightly stroked her hand with his thumb easing her to sleep.

"She's not relapsing is she?" Lucius asked not even looking at her. The other men in the car were watching the father and son closely.

"She doesn't seem to be. Just tired I guess. It's fine if she sleeps right father. She'll wake up when we arrive."

"Let her sleep."

The rest of the ride was conducted in silence. Draco could feel her warm breath through his shirt and shivered lightly. Memories of that morning and all the wonderful sensations crept back into his mind and he was lost in them for a time. She'd been so tempting in that bed this morning, the sunlight soaking her skin as she lay there beneath him on all those bright white sheets. She'd looked like an angel lounging on a cloud, and her touch almost convinced him.

He licked his suddenly dry lips as he ran his fingers through his locks. No one else seemed to notice his sudden nervousness, and to keep it that way he turned his head and stared out the window. As the scenery passed by he tried to wipe the thoughts of his wife from his head for they only seemed to bring with them the confusion of his feelings and where they lie. He didn't need to dwell on them at the moment, not with the visit to his grandfather looming in the immediate future.

Soon the car changed direction and slowed. It seemed to be pushing it's way through the trees that surrounded it on almost all sides. It was almost as if they were blasting their way through the forest, creating a drive. Draco guessed as the car bumped over the uneven ground that his grandfather's house wasn't really accessible via car. However now it was.

The cars slowed to a stop and Draco turned his head to see Hermione's eyes opening slowly, blinking away the last remnants of sleep. She turned to look at him confusion prevalent in her eyes. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze making her smile up at him. The door beside him was opened and Draco made his way out holding out his hand for her. Slowly she slid across the seat, one slender smooth leg poking from the car, then the other. Soon she was standing beside him, smoothing the dress that clung to her every curve, once again holding it lest it reveal more than necessary.

Draco turned and looked around at the house. It was kept perfectly and he suspected it was house elves doing. This was the home that his father had grown up in. It looked much the same as the house he himself had grown up in, enormous and foreboding. The red brick house stood, large windows staring back at him, dark curtains pulled over them, blocking out the view of what lie within. Beside him Hermione was also staring out, mesmerized at the elegance.

As they stood there the men in the other car filed out joining the men from their car. Lucius nodded his head and they began to walk away pulling their cloaks on. They were headed to their posts where they would be on guard for the entire visit. Hermione watched them go her grip tightening on his hand. It was time, and now that the moment had finally arrived Hermione didn't feel prepared. She felt scared, though there was so much protection, she felt terrified.

"Come on Hermione." Draco said as Lucius started toward the front door.

As the three approached the door it opened. Standing at the entrance was not the old man as Hermione had thought but instead an old wizened house elf greeted them. Long white hairs grew from the little elf's ears, as did a small patch between them. It's loin cloth was brown and stained hanging loosely about its hips. Its skin was sagging, and it squinted up at them curiously.

"Come in Sirs and Madam." It said its voice gruff and deep.

Lucius followed the elf as it shuffled slowly into the foyer. Hermione followed behind slowly staring about with wide eyes. The house was much darker within; much like Grimmauld Place was when they'd first arrived. As they walked she peered into the rooms they passed only to see the furniture covered with white sheets. She guessed that being an old man, he didn't have use for some rooms of that enormous house. She wondered how a man as old as he must be could be such a threat but she wasn't silly enough not to believe them.

Draco followed behind his father who seemed to know just where he was headed. They walked quickly down a hall, the elf still in the lead but barely. Draco could see the look on his father's face. He disliked every part of being in that house, and seemed to want to get this visit over with. Soon however the man slowed and the only thing that separated him from his long estranged father was a pocket door. The elf reached up a withered hand and slid the double doors open then stepped inside.

"My Lord yours guests have arrived."

"Come in." came the deep but silky reply.

Lucius was the first to enter and Draco followed behind keeping Hermione beside him. Their hands were clasped together now more than ever, for they were stepping into the lion' den now. There were two chairs seated their backs to the door where they'd entered, a couch positioned just before them. Draco led Hermione toward the couch and she kept her eyes on the floor as they walked. Her heart was pounding nervously as she lifted her eyes.

Draco was looking upon his grandfather for the first time. He was seated in a chair clothed in a set of burgundy crushed velvet robes that fell to the floor. His hair was white and short, parted on the side and combed neatly. His posture was perfect as he sized up his grandson and granddaughter in law. But the most amazing feature on his surprisingly young looking face were his striking eyes. Unlike Draco and his fathers this man's eyes were the deepest darkest onyx black. They seemed to reflect the room around them but were focused right on Draco.

"Please have a seat." He said softly his voice not sounding anything like Draco would have pictured. It was deeper and much more steady. This man looked quite healthy, the complete opposite of what he's been expecting to see. Draco thought he'd be in a wheelchair, his hands shaking uncontrollably his eyes glazed over in the white film of old age. This man looked as if he could stand up right then and duel Lucius again.

Draco seated himself on the couch Hermione perching herself beside him. She was fiddling nervously with the edge of her dress as she positioned herself in the manner she always did. Her posture was perfect, so elegant and regal. The man hadn't yet looked over at her, and Draco wasn't sure why. Wasn't meeting her and him for the first time his reason for holding this get together.

"How have you been Lucius? It's been so long." Aemilius asked turning his attention upon the man seated in the chair beside his own.

"I've been well Father." He said much the way Draco answered.

Hermione could see the similarities in the relationships. Draco was just like his father in many ways. Both he and his father disliked their fathers. They both disagreed with things that their fathers thought and rebelled against them. Lucius rebelled by joining Voldemort, while Draco was slowly rebelling by showing his growing affection toward her.

"And Narcissa. How's she been fairing?" the man asked.

"All is well Father. We were married as I'm sure you heard, and we had Draco here."

"I was informed of the wedding. I was told it was beautiful. As for the lad however not much was ever told to me about him." Aemilius turned his eyes upon Draco. "He looks a lot like you did at his age."

"Many have said so." Lucius said plainly.

"What are your achievements Draco?"

"I've been on the Slytherin house Quidditch team as Seeker since my second year. I've been ranked number two all seven years. Also I was given the Head Boy position this year sir."

"Second to who?"

"My wife." Draco answered.

"And you are the Head Girl?" he asked finally looking at her.

Draco could see the outright look of disgust on his grandfather's face. He didn't even try to hide it as his father did. Instead he narrowed his shimmering black eyes on her, fixing her with a hate filled stare. Nothing about this man looked inviting. His mouth was tightened into a sneer, his lips curling up so it almost looked like he was snarling. He seemed to raise his chin just a bit, showing his superiority. Something within Draco began to boil and he wanted nothing more than to put this man in his place. He couldn't stand the way this man, his grandfather, was looking at her, his wife. It unsettled him more than anyone, even his own father.

Hermione was trembling from her head to her toes but she tried her best to remain calm. Her hand within Draco's was shaking luckily it was shoved between them and out of view. She looked up into the black eyes that bored into her own and tried to pretend that she was merely talking to Voldemort. All the while she sat her back straight as an arrow, shoulders back and chin up. Her posture made her look more collected than she was. Lucius was watching her, gauging her reaction to the terrible man that was now challenging her.

"Yes I am sir." She replied in a very steady and calm voice.

Lucius was shocked at her appearance. He knew that she had to be scared out of her mind, but she didn't look it. The way she carried herself and her manner of speaking were respectful and proper. In his opinion she came off as if she were bored being there. He knew that it were better for her to appear unafraid of him than to show her fear. He would feed off of her fear.

"You are the girl that has ruined my family then." He growled.

"Why is it that you have requested our presence here?" piped up an unlikely voice.

Lucius turned his piercing eyes upon his son. He sat on the sofa beside the girl, his eyes focused upon his grandfather. The tone to his voice was demanding and forceful and Lucius knew that the boy was fed up with the treatment Hermione was being given.

"You dare to speak to me so disrespectfully." Aemilius said in a deadly calm but terrifying voice.

"I will not sit back while you treat my wife in such a disrespectful manner. If there isn't a sufficient reason for our being here then I see no reason why we should stay." Draco said in the same manner that Lucius had so long ago addressed him.

"I merely wanted to see for myself the person that single handedly destroyed the good name this family once held. Now because of your being so foolish as to follow that bloody Halfblood my name and reputation is ruined. She's brought nothing but shame to this house. Prophecy or not you should have refused."

Hermione was now visibly shaking whether from rage or fear no one knew. At the man's first terrible comment her eyes had narrowed. Now she was glaring so fiercely that her eyes almost glowed with fire. Lucius had kept rather quiet, waiting for the moment when he would have to draw his wand. So far there had been nothing exchanged but words, but how long that would last no one knew.

Draco opened his mouth to retort but Hermione beside him held up a hand. Draco turned to her looking at her with curious eyes. Her head was bowed slightly hiding her eyes, but he knew better than anyone she was trying to calm herself. He could see her hand shaking in its position in the air, calling silence to the room around her. Slowly she lifted her head, letting out a breath she'd been holding.

"I haven't ruined anything." She started slowly.

"How dare you speak to me. I haven't addressed you and someone with such lowly standing as yours should know bett-"

"Enough!" Hermione cried. "How dare I speak to you? You don't realize just who I am do you? Whether I like it or not I am Hermione Lynne Malfoy, your granddaughter in law. My husband, your grandson, is to become the First Minister to Voldemort. I myself am a member of his inner circle, the most trusted of all the Death Eaters! So don't you dare speak to me in such a manner. My standing in this world is much higher than yours sir."

Draco stared at her astonished at her outburst. Lucius also seemed to be staring, quite surprised. Both men watched as she rose to her feet, holding her head up in such a manner to show that she was superior to him in everyway.

"I do believe I am fed up with my treatment. Anything that you wish to say that is of any importance at all can be sent via owl to myself or Draco, however I will not tolerate your presence any longer."

Draco rose escorting her out Lucius waiting until they were safely around the corner to rise and make his way toward the hall. However before he to disappeared from the room he stopped and turned to face the back of the chair that his father was still sitting in, flabbergasted.

"Lovely seeing you again Father." Lucius said a smirk on his face before he turned and left the room and his father once more.

Hermione reached the front door, wrenching it open and walking out into the morning sun. They hadn't even been in the room twenty minutes before the man started insulting her. Had that been the entire reason for their visit, so that he could rant on about his hatred of her bearing the same last name as him? If that had been his intent, obviously he underestimated her. Perhaps he'd been suspecting someone meek and easily frightened. She'd been scared of course, but once he began insulting her the anger had taken over. She'd spiraled out of control after that, running her mouth off without thinking about the consequences.

She was walking down the steps from the door when she realized Draco's presence beside her. All anger within him seemed to have dissipated. She turned to him, looking up at him suddenly so self conscious and unsure. Would he be mad at her being so disrespectful? But he'd been sticking up for her as well. And what would Lucius say?

"Are you all right?" he asked finally placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Yeah. Just a bit shaky." She said looking down at her hands.

"You were brilliant in there." He muttered before pulling her against him in a soft hug.

Wrapping her arms about his middle she mumbled, "Really?"

"Of course. I can't believe we traveled all this way just to listen to that. There was no point."

"I had a feeling it would be something like that. Once you told me about your grandfather the idea of him having anything important to say was slim." Hermione said as they parted and he wrapped a hand about her waist leading her toward the cars that were parked on the drive.

Lucius appeared a moment later taking out his wand and using it to send the signal of departure to the men that were stationed about the house. Lucius was looking at Hermione as he approached where they leaned against the cars. She was so sure that he was about to scold her for screaming at his father, for though they hated one another she was sure he didn't like the idea of her disrespecting a Pureblood.

"Well done." He said simply, his face showing absolutely no emotion as he passed to the other side of the car.

As he entered the car Hermione turned and looked at Draco whose eyes widened in a surprised manner. His father had never said anything encouraging to her before. His father had never even looked at her without that look of pure loathing. However by the pride she'd shown within that room, the lack of fear, the vehement way she defended herself seemed to strike him.

The men reappeared slowly and all climbed into the enormous cars and soon they were off, driving back towards the Malfoy Manor. Lucius was busy scribbling down the message that he would have to send straight away upon their arrival. He glanced down at her a few times, but Hermione wasn't paying any attention. She was deep in thought about all the things she'd said to the man that had posed such a threat before. She'd angered him, she was sure of it, and that was never a good idea. But she wasn't lying when she spoke to him, and she was sure that he knew of the consequences if he tried in anyway to harm her. She just hoped that those consequences were enough to keep the man at bay.

Back in the room Aemilius still sat, stroking his bare chin and staring curiously at the rug. He was thinking about all that the Mudblood had shouted at him, seeming so defensive of the name and reputation that she didn't desire, that was forced upon her. Angrily he pounded the arm of the chair, for no one had spoken to him in such a manner since Lucius. Most feared him, for it was no secret of the things he'd done to people of her kind. Very little frightened him, and very few stood up to him.

With a vicious snap of his old fingers a pop sounded before him. The elf appeared bowing lowly. When it rose however it was smacked so hard across the face that it flew into the couch that Hermione and Draco had been sitting in before she'd jumped up and left. The elf however didn't whimper or cry. All the elves in the house knew better than that. To show their weakness only earned a hard more terrible beating. Instead it rose from the crumpled heap it'd been and walked forward, the blood pouring from the cut that Aemilius' many rings had given it.

"Yes my Lord." It asked.

"Burn that sofa. I don't even want to see the ashes in this house."

What a jerk!!! Anyways head on down to the review area and leave a lovely one. Makes me soooo happy when you do. You do that while I get started on the next bit...otay???

Starry