Epilogue:

Hermione stood in the bathroom of her tiny loft. She cinched the belt around her white terry cloth bathrobe and proceeded to comb her wet curls. She was attempting to finish up so that her and Draco could get going to the children's hospital in London. They were planning on meeting Ron and Harry there. After a few months of awkwardness between the group, it seemed the young Gryffindor men accepted that Draco would be in Hermione's life. Ron of course would make jabs at Draco and Draco, ever the mature one, would make equally horrifying quips back. Hermione didn't as long as no one was pointing a wand.

Draco had finished his mandated service almost four and half years before. He had enjoyed it so much that every month he and Hermione would volunteer for some muggle organization either feeding the hungry, meeting with sick children or helping the elderly. Hermione almost always was the one that wouldn't mind taking a break but Draco felt that he should never be fully forgiven until he had spent the rest of his life making up for the parts he played in what had transpired at Hogwarts and between the two of them. Hermione loved him more and more every day for the man he was becoming. Even Lucius and Narcissa would volunteer a few times a year with them. Lucius had even decided to take it upon himself to sit on a few boards for some local charities in order to bring in more help. It was an amazing thing to behold.

The mist on the mirror only slightly hid the rosiness of her cheeks as she continue to unsnarl the knots that had formed closer to her crown. She finished and began plaiting her hair, wrapping an elastic band about her wrist as she made her way out of the bathroom, steam filtering into the bedroom as she opened the door.

"You always forget to put the fan on. I really don't feel like walking into a sauna when I need to shave." Draco mumbled as he lay lazily in the bed, white sheets pooled around his naked torso. Hermione looked at him, her one eyebrow raising as she pulled the elastic off of her wrist.

"Don't you do it!" Draco could already tell the young woman with the sodden curls had something evil planned. Hermione didn't say a word, just stretched the elastic as far as it could go and aimed it at the blonde.

"Hermione!" Draco growled, as he grabbed a pillow to shield himself. Before he could manage to block, the elastic flew threw the air, snapping against his chest.

"OW!" He yelled as he rubbed the inflicted area. Hermione grinned and proceed to walk toward her closet. Draco pulled back the sheets, his naked body gleaming from the morning sun as it streamed through the window. He grabbed the young woman from around the waist and threw her on the bed.

"Now doesn't this seem familiar…" He grinned as she struggled against his weight.

"Draco...come on...we have to get ready." Hermione whined as she slightly pushed against his pale chest. Draco ignored her and easily pulled her bathrobe apart to reveal her warm, damp skin. Hermione looked up at him, the blush on her face only deepening as he stared at her form.

"When was the last time I told you that you were beautiful?" He asked as he looked at her lovingly.

"Right before I went in the shower...after I told you that you couldn't join me." She giggled and placed a warm hand on his face, his blonde stubble slightly scratching against her small hand. She looked up into his pale eyes and smiled gently.

"I love you." He whispered, his lips gently curving as his features took on a peaceful look.

"I love you too. I'm so proud of you Draco." Hermione answered as she pulled the blonde down, his chest pressed against her breasts. She pressed her lips against his forehead as he laid his head on her shoulder. She ran her fingers through his platinum locks and sighed as she felt his heartbeat sync with hers. He shifted once again and looked back down at her. He slowly pressed his mouth against hers. It began gently, love bleeding into it. Only when Draco felt her slightly sigh against his tongue did he decide that her body needed more attention.

"D...Draco...we are going to...be late. Harry and Ron will be waiting..." She stuttered as his hands began to roam up her sides and up into her sodden curls. He of course had immediately began trailing luxurious kisses against her throat causing her head to roll back.

"So…" He growled which only sent shivers down her spine. Goosebumps had already appeared on her flesh with every slight touch.

"We...we have to...we…" Hermione had lost all thought. The only thing entering her mind was him. His smell, his taste, his touch, his body...just him.

"I love you Hermione...I love you." He whispered as he caressed her. She opened her eyes only slightly as his dark mark appeared in her sight line. The mark didn't affect her like it had before. It was just a reminder of the unimaginable obstacles the two had gone through to find each other. Her own marred arm tingled at the thought. They only made the two stronger. It was what bound them together. They would always have those blood marks and when they saw them everyday, it would remind them to be kind to each other, to remember who they were and not what they had been.

"I love you." Hermione answered as she gently rubbed her fingers against his mark. Draco looked up at her, mercury eyes seeking amber. He smiled contently reaching for her arm, a diamond flashing from her finger and pressed his lips against her scars.

"Forever."