Draco slowly entered the room, trying to think of what to say that would finally break down the wall around Hermione's heart and soul. He already knew that he could very easily and quickly win her to him by using his full powers on her, but he knew that the relationship would only be based on that, not on any real hard earned love.

He had started to see her as his only source to hold on to the rest of his humanity, refusing to let the animal in him take complete control. With her acceptance of him, he could only hope that he would live the rest of his life as normal as possible. After the war, he just wanted a peaceful life, running all the Malfoy corporations and having a few children.

He found Hermione perched on the window seat by her bed, her arms around herself and staring blankly out the window. He slowly came into the room, his heart beginning to race as he caught her scent. He felt his gums twitching as his fangs fought to be released.

He cleared his throat when she didn't acknowledge that he was drawing near. "I think we should talk." He said softly.

"What about exactly?" She asked with no real feeling.

"I don't want to make this forced Hermione. If you would only realize what I'm offering you, there'd be no question to whom you belong too."

"I 'belong' to no one, Malfoy and the sooner you 'realize' that, the better you'll be. I've been reading about vampires and I don't have to accept any proposal. The mates have their choice in who they chose. I haven't taken up your offer yet and I have a right to thin of my options."

"That is true, but the examples that were used did not take into account that I am a Malfoy. I get want I want and I want you. You're the smartest witch I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, so surely you can apprieate the risk you're putting for any other man that so much as looks at you. I went easy on Krum because I know that he is no real competition for your hand."

"You cant be serious. You'd have me enter a relationship with you because of blackmail and threats like that."

"No, its not a threat. It's a promise. I love you and you will love me in time. You will never be happy with any one else. I know its not the right way to begin our courtship, but I am a Slytherin and I'll do whatever I have to get you."

"You're forgetting who you're dealing with." Hermione replied with narrowed eyes.

"No, I know exactly. I've studied you over the years closely, 'know your enemy' and all that. I know you'll do anything for your friends."

"They are your friends now also. Are you trying to threaten me with them?"


"Of course not. But Harry and Ron would not be allowed to come near you unless they want to risk harm to themselves. I'm telling you, Hermione- just give me a chance and this whole thing will go much easier for everyone involved."

"Then any relationship that we could have will be clouded by the fact that I didn't get a choice. I am not like those girls that you're used to- worshipping the ground you walk on and swooning whenever you lower yourself to give them so much a quick look in their direction. I want a life when all this is over. I had a plan, one that didn't include a man to complicate things."

"Then we'll alter this plan of yours. I had resigned myself into giving you up when I learned that the daywalker gene was dominate in me." Draco replied, grabbing her hands to make her come closer.

"I know I'm not the best person. I'm cruel, spoiled and all the other bad things that you can think of, but I know that I love you and every breath I take until I die will be spent in making you happy. Any differences that we have can be worked on."

Hermione knew that his words were working on her. Trying as hard as she was, she still couldn't fight the warmth that was spending throughout her body, settling on the bottom of her stomach and were there hands were joined. "I'm just so scared, Draco." She whispered.

"Its okay. I'm scared too. I don't know what's happening with the war or with anything, but I know that I love you, and that's good enough for me. I'm just asking you to try, I cant promise anything other then that I will try to make you happy.

Hermione just stared at him, trying to think of what she could do. The blonde moved a little closer to Hermione, a dark fire smoldering in his eyes, a slight red tint starting to swirl in the light blue depths. All of a sudden, she wanted to be consumed by it, to be burned alive by it, and left as nothing but quivering ash. At some dark corner of her mind, she know that she must step back, run away as fast as she could because this was only the bond between them affecting her actions, nothing else. Her eyes dropped to his mouth and she unconsciously moved closer, aware of his now hooded eyes, and the heat of his body radiating from beneath the black cashmere jumper.

It was a slow lazy kiss at first. His mouth was softer than she thought it would be. An almost inaudible sigh escaped her mouth He moved his lips against hers gently, massaging them before slightly opening his mouth and lapping at her lips with his tongue.

Hermione opened her mouth and he slid his tongue inside, running it gently over her tongue. Hesitantly, she returned the gesture. She tried as best she could to mimic what he was doing and found that she liked it. Liked the taste of him. He tasted like a hint of brandy and something sweet, chocolate perhaps.

Draco tightened his arm around her waist and deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue into her mouth deeper and more suggestively. He felt her melt against him, a soft moan escaping her as he explored her mouth. She tasted clean, like chocolate and innocence.


"Your hair's so soft." she whispered, her eyes full of wonder.

"I'm going to hurt you, you know. I don't want to, but when I make you mine, it'll hurt. That's the only way to truly mark you as my mate." He growled when she had to pull away for air. "I won't be able to help myself…"

"I know. I read a little about it in one of the books I borrowed." She said when her head stopped spinning.

He lowered his lips and kissed her softly on her forehead, then on each eye, on the tip of her nose, on each blushed cheek, lingered at her mouth, then moved to her neck, sucking gently. His hands cradled her head as his lips moved over her throat, up over her chin, then claimed her mouth again, gentle but growing insistent as his slid his tongue into her mouth and tangled it with hers, softly but heatedly. Hermione moved closer next to him, answering his kiss with a growing hunger of her own, it was like a slow burn, building, centered at her stomach and radiating outward. Still he kissed her, reveling in her warm mouth, his tongue filling that warmth with his own, thrusting questioningly, deepening to the point where he almost caressed her tonsils. Her breath quickened.

He was about to move her closer to him when there was a knock on the door. Draco felt Hermione mentally pulling away before she actually left his side. He just sat there on the ledge of the window while seeing her nervously run her hands through her mussed hair and her teeth biting on her swollen bottom lip.

She opened the door and he rolled his eyes when he saw his mother. He crossed legs, trying to hide the bulge in trousers and not be embarrassed in front of Hermione by his mother.

"Hello, dears." Narcissa said with a smile. She took in both teenagers' appearance and raised her delicate eyebrow at her son, noticing his posture. "Hermione, I was wondering if you'd care to join me for tea later tonight so we could have a little chat. There's a charity that I wanted to be involved in for muggle children that I wanted to go over with you."

"Of course, Narcissa. I just have to find out when my father is planning on leaving. I haven't really spent any time with him and I'd like to have a proper evening with him."

"Of course darling. The invitation is open of course. Draco dearest, I would also like to see you whenever you are free." Narcissa said, making it clear with a raised eyebrow that she knew what had happened.

Hermione closed the door behind Narcissa, thinking about what needed to be said to Draco. She slowly walked to the vanity mirror, taking in the puffy lips and the glazed look in her eyes. "I have to talk to my father. I guess I'll be seeing you later." She caught his reflection in the mirror and saw the small glimmer of fear cross his eyes.

"Don't worry. Its just like I told your mum, I wanted to spend more time with him, but things have been hectic. I'll be back later on."

Draco sighed and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her tiny frame. "Maybe you can convince him to stay a bit longer. I know it would make you happy."


"Maybe. I'll see how he likes the idea." She answered as she stepped away from him. She missed the slight hurt look that he gave her but felt the warmth of his lips when he kissed her left temple.

"I'll see you later, love."

AN: Sorry it took so long. Real life got in the way. A million thanks for all the reviews!