Take my hand, and lead me to salvation
Take my love, for love is everlasting
And remember the truth that once was spoken
To love another person is to see the face of God!

After lunch they bade goodbye to the Weasleys and Harry and left England for warmer climes, the South of France to be exact. Ron was nowhere to be found when the time came for hugs and farewells, which hurt her feelings, but she tried to be understanding. He had at least stopped being hostile over the last week. She promised both Harry and Mrs. Weasley that she would send regular owls and let them know that she was alright and special owls for the moment they left France for Australia and the moment they found her parents.

They traveled by portkey to the Malfoy's château, which was as opulent and private as you'd expect. It had a stunning view of the Mediterranean and no neighbors in sight. It was situated about halfway between a wizarding village called Lorien and a muggle town whose name she could never remember. The first afternoon they spent was very quiet, trying to overcome the gloom of the morning's memorial service. She set her bags down in the bedroom and walked out to the French doors and leaned on the rail of the terrace. She closed her eyes and let the sun play on her face and the wind in her hair. Soon strong arms wrapped around her waist and she smiled as Draco's lips touch her neck just under her ear. She leaned back into him, so glad he was here.

"What do you want to do?" He asked, resting his chin atop her head.

She sighed. "I'm exhausted and all the crying's given me a headache. Would you mind if I lay down for a couple hours? Then we could go to dinner or something?"

"Of course, love. Do you want some time by yourself or do you want me to join you?"

"If you'd like to join me you're welcome to, but don't feel like you have to." She turned in his arms to rest her head on his chest. She was emotionally exhausted from the torturous few days of funerals and memorial services.

"I'd love to. Come with me, I've got something to show you that'll be perfect for our nap." He took her down stairs and out onto a patio that was shaded by an ancient and gnarled olive tree. In the shade of the tree there was a… well, essentially a bed, with a white tulle canopy fluttering in the breeze coming off the sea. It was a perfect spot. Draco sat on the edge and toed off his shoes. He tossed his suit jacket over the back of a nearby chair, followed quickly by his tie and dress shirt. Then he waved his wand and transfigured his suit pants into light linen pants. She followed his example and joined him, sunlight filtering through the branches of the olive and warming their skin. He was on his side facing her and she settled back into his embrace, enjoying the feel of him pressed against her back and his arm around her. He kissed her neck and pulled her in close. Lulled by the breeze and the sounds of the sea nearby they dropped off into sleep.

Hermione awoke a couple hours later as the sun was setting. Draco was lying on his back behind her. She rolled over to lean on her elbow and watch him sleep for a couple minutes. She smiled to herself and despite the horrors of the last couple years; she felt unbelievably lucky to have found Draco. Who'd have thought, with how much they hated each other as children that they'd come to mean the world to each other? She leaned down and placed several feather-light kisses across his lips. Soon he was smiling and his arms snaked up around her and pulled her over until she was lying on his chest. She leaned up to look at him and traced a finger down his jaw.

"Can I just say that I am ridiculously happy to be here with you?"

"Of course you are. I'm Draco Malfoy." He laughed as she rolled her eyes and she loved it. He so rarely really laughed. "So, can I talk you into going to dinner with me?"

"A real date this time? No planning and scheming?"

"A real date: you, me, romance, wine, candles, good food… everything." He leaned up and kissed her again. "Although, I'm usually scheming something, so that I can't promise."

"I can't wait. Let me go get dressed." She gave him a pointed look telling him to stay put. She'd had to give him orders to not follow her around all the time anymore, her knee was only going to get better by gradually increasing how much she used it. His wanting to carry her everywhere wasn't helping. As much as she enjoyed it and as much as he hated seeing her struggle to get around.

"Feel free to take advantage of my mother's wardrobe. I doubt she's even worn a third of what's in there." He called after her.

After she got out of the shower she discovered that Narcissa kept a fully stocked closet at the château and she browsed the racks of silks and other expensive fabrics. She came across a one-shouldered sapphire blue wrap dress that fell just past her knees, which was good because the swelling and bruising in her knee was still visible. She was glad that Narcissa was young enough to have fabulous clothes like this; it put everything she'd brought with her to shame. She slipped on the dress and made some minor adjustments to the fit, being twenty years younger and never having borne a child her hips were narrower than Narcissa's. As she admired the dress in the mirror she wondered how Narcissa routinely put cloaks over fabulous clothes like this...

She limped over to a wall of shoes and let out a decidedly girly squeal. She knew those red soles: Christian Louboutins… oh sweet, merciful Jesus they were beautiful. Shelf after shelf of deliciously sexy, sky high heels in every color and pattern. Forget Draco, Narcissa might be her new favorite person. There was a small and secret part of Hermione that loved fashion, especially shoes. If she ever had the money or a reason to wear anything like this… She passed her hand lovingly over several pairs before she settled on a pair of nude peep toe pumps with every bit of a five-inch heel, she picked them up and inspected them adoringly. She did a little victory wiggle when she looked and saw that she and Narcissa wore the same size despite Narcissa being several inches taller. Purebloods must've bred in small feet at some point…

"You're going to try those with that knee?" Said a drawling voice from the closet door.

She immediately frowned, weighing the pros and cons. "I could put a Stability Charm on it…"

"Mhmm. Was it you that made that horrendous noise a moment ago? I didn't think you were capable of something like that…" He laughed as she stuck her nose in the air and ignored his comment.

"Just cast the charm and put the shoes on so we can go, I'm starved." He shot her a wink and went to get ready himself.

After several complicated charms she had stabilized and braced her knee well enough that she thought she could make it the few blocks to the restaurant and back without her cane. If it came down to it, she'd conjure one. She dried her hair and let it fall down her back in waves as she knew Draco liked it. She swiped on some mascara and eyeliner and decided she was ready. When she walked out into the bedroom he looked up from buttoning his shirt.

"You know… I'd like to shake the man's hand who invented high heels." His eyes roved over her slowly, bottom to top and back again. She supposed that he had gotten used to seeing her in tattered, ill-fitting clothes when they were on the run that she must look amazing in comparison. He sauntered over to her with an expression that she knew well and it brought a blush to her cheeks. He leaned down and she expected a kiss but instead his lips went to her ear and he whispered, "Leave them on when we get home." He smiled wickedly at her and she felt heat flood her entire body. She'd be lucky if she tasted the food tonight, her mind was definitely going to be otherwise occupied anticipating what he had in store for her when they got home.

She successfully, and mostly painlessly, made it to the restaurant without leaning too much on Draco and they were seated side by side at a small table in the corner of a patio that overlooked the Mediterranean. It was a muggle restaurant because they decided that they didn't want to be recognized. They had all gotten owls at the Weasley's from the press requesting interviews. Hermione was still steaming that Rita Skeeter had the gall to ask her for an interview. As if. Luckily Draco had exchanged some galleons for Euros before they left London so they could just hide in the muggle world if they chose.

They both ordered their meals in perfect French, hers thanks to a French grandmother and his thanks to his pureblood upbringing. Draco ordered a bottle of sweet red wine and they sat and sipped as they waited for their meals.

She was lost in thought looking over the water when he spoke up. "Do you realize we've only actually known each other for like… six weeks?"

She blinked. "Wow. So much has happened… it seems like much longer than that."

He put his arm around the back of her seat and pulled her a little closer. "I never thought that I'd fall for anyone, much less you, and in less than two months at that." He took a sip of his wine. "You know more about me than anyone. Period. But how much can you have learned in so short a time?"

She scooted closer and looked up at him with a smirk. "I know you curse profusely when your adrenaline is up. I know that you're incredibly intelligent. You like muggle fiction and secretly feel a connection to Mr. Darcy, you're arrogant, proud, funny, infuriating, brave. You love your mother and you're conflicted about your father. You're kind, but try to pretend you're not-"

"Alright!" He cut her off, amused. "I see you've made a study of me."

"I always study what I find interesting." She leaned into his side and sipped her own wine. He pressed a kiss to her temple.

When their food came the conversation turned to her parents and he asked a multitude of questions about them and how, as muggles, they lived differently. He couldn't fathom how they got by without magic and she reminded him that he'd see for himself when they brought them home.

By the time they were served dessert, she remembered his instructions about her shoes and was growing anxious to leave. With that thought in mind she smiled at him over the rim of her wineglass and he cocked an eyebrow. After a second he flagged the waiter down and she subtly helped him pay the bill. She might never figure out how they were so in sync with each other, but it was really quite convenient. Like just now she smiled at him for two seconds and he knew exactly what was on her mind… and the time that they managed to simultaneously Stun Crabbe and Goyle even though they were back to back. Interesting. They stood and he waved for her to go ahead of him.

He whispered cheekily in her ear as she passed, "I'm right behind you… I hate to see you go, but love to watch you leave." He gave her bottom a quick but firm squeeze and she let out a small surprised squeak.

She glared at him to cover up her surprise at his public groping and then quickly looked around to see that no one had noticed. "That was one of your cheesier lines," she said haughtily and continued out of the restaurant, extremely aware of his gaze on her backside. She tried desperately not to limp but the shoes were not working in her favor. She wished she could have that fluid, sultry gate that some women had, but alas… damn knee.

Once she made it to the curb he came up beside her and offered his arm. They walked slowly back up the hill and she noticed that with every step her knee hurt just a little more. She looked up at him, apologetically.

"I hate to do it, but I think the shoes have to go. I should've waited another week or so before I tried for heels." She stopped and reached down to remove them. "Can I make it up to you?" She smiled sweetly.

"I suppose. I'm not going to forget you know." He pretended to glare.

"I hope you don't; I was looking forward to finding out what you had in mind."

"Do you need me to carry you?" He asked and she bit her lip and nodded.

Deciding it would attract less attention than how he usually carried her, he helped her onto his back and gave her a piggy back ride the remaining couple blocks back to the house. The was thankful her dress had a full skirt so that she could maintain her modestly with her legs wrapped around him this way. When they went to the gate he veered away from the path to the door and dropping her shoes on the patio (she instantly berated him for dropping them on the stones, they could scuff!) and headed out onto the sand.

"Come swim with me?" He asked, already removing his clothes. She stood self-consciously on the sand, but looking around realized that there were no houses in sight… was that for real or was it a magical illusion? He noticed her looking, "no one will see us, love. There are charms and wards around all the Malfoy properties."

She nodded and slipped her dress over her head. He reached around and unclasped her bra and slid it down her arm. She shivered and looked up to see that he apparently planning on this swim being skinny dipping, which she had to admit she'd never done before. He looked beautiful in the pale light from the moon. She shivered again when he slid her knickers down her legs. Then he stood and swept her into his arms and carried her into the nearly mirror-smooth water. It was warmer than she'd thought it would be and she sighed and leaned back in his embrace to float on her back. He let go except for her hand and they both floated silently for a few minutes, gazing up at the stars just beginning to come out.

"I can't believe I'm really on holiday in the south of France. I mean… do you remember where we were a week and a half ago?" She asked with half a laugh.

"Ugh, don't remind me. Let's not think about that." He tugged on her hand and pulled her closer. When the side of her leg brushed his abdomen she attempted to stand, but found the water was too deep. He appeared to have his feet on the bottom so she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders to keep her head above water.

"Hm. That's better." She whispered and leaned in to kiss him. The kiss quickly turned heated and his hands roamed her skin and settled on her hips to pull her up against his arousal. After several minutes of things only getting more intense she tore her mouth away.

"Let's go inside," She suggested, already moving to unwind herself from him.

"Let's stay here," he countered. She stilled and looked at him in confusion while he was sliding a hand between them."

"But…" Her train of thought was interrupted by his activities. She cleared her throat and tried again, "the water… it's not conducive…" He chuckled against her throat, where his teeth were currently attached.

"Are you a witch or not?" He demanded.

.

They spent a little over a month lounging in the Malfoy's opulent château. They shopped, they ate, they drank wine, they swam in idyllic blue waters of the Mediterranean every day. Gradually their bodies returned to healthy weights, their bruises faded, and Hermione's knee strengthened though the limp would plague her for several more months. They had come to France fully stocked with reading material as Hermione had said that was how she wanted to spend her time once the war was over. They did spend a lot of time reading; sometimes they read the same book, taking turns reading it out loud. Sometimes he rested with his head on her stomach reading his own book. Sometimes she sat between his legs in the sand and leaned on his chest. They ended up spending many hours without their books enjoying the sun and the sea, swimming and floating endlessly. They spent so much time in the water that even Draco was sporting a bit of a tan and Hermione's dark brown hair was beginning to show copper streaks so light they could almost be called blond.

Narcissa visited and spent a weekend with them, wanting to escape the manor where Lucius was on house arrest until his trial. The aurors had decided that despite his actions during the final battle, he still had to be held responsible for his deeds during the decade prior. Apparently he was not enjoying being stuck there. Their visit… was awkward. Hermione could tell that while Narcissa was polite, she did not approve of Draco's being with her. She'd have chosen differently for her son if she'd been able. She also got the impression that Narcissa assumed that their relationship was a fling and she would just have to bide her time until she could get Draco married off to some pureblood witch. She tried not to let it bother her and she reminded herself constantly that these beliefs had been ingrained into Narcissa her entire life. It had probably never even occurred to her that changing her way of thinking was an option. Since she wasn't planning on going anywhere, she decided to let it lie for now. Narcissa was a bit hormonal with the pregnancy and Hermione did not want to cross her. Draco said that she would come around and in time would realize that he did love her and that her heritage was not a factor in their relationship.

On evening towards the end of their stay they were lying in a tangled heap of limbs, her head on his chest. The windows were open and a breeze was blowing in off the sea. Draco's hand that had been caressing her back stilled.

"Knut for your thoughts." She smiled, that was usually his line.

"I was just wondering…. What's next?" He asked softly, his hand resuming its path.

"What do you mean?" She traced her fingers in small circles on his stomach.

"Have you thought about what you want to do after everything settles down?"

"A bit…" She moved to rest her head on the pillow next to his so that she could see him. "Have you?"

"Some." He rolled to his side to face her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Am I in your plans?" He pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose.

She smiled. "Of course. I have a lot of ideas about what I might want to do, but right now the only constant is you. I told you a while back that you were it for me." She saw him smile and knew that he'd had a moment of insecurity. It surprised her each and every time; she was supposed to be the insecure one in this relationship not him.

"I love you, you know." He whispered against her lips, trailing light kisses across them. "I always will."

She kissed him back, "And I love you. Always." He propped his head up with his elbow and looked down at her, more relaxed than before.

"Alright then. Finishing school? No idea. Jobs? No idea. A place to live? No idea. Being together? Absolutely." He trailed off and looked at her intently for a moment. "What are your thoughts on marrying me someday?" He asked quietly. Her heartrate doubled at his words.

"I… I feel no need to rush to the altar, but marrying you would certainly fit in to my plans of never letting you go." She answered, smiling.

Fin.

A/N:That's right, it said Fin. There's no epilogue because I'm just going to go straight into a sequel. I've enjoyed writing these characters so much that I am just going to continue the story and have more adventures with them. Should be fun! I do need to spend some time with the hubs though…. He's been a bit neglected while I've been obsessed with writing this fic. Bless him, he hasn't complained at all. I promise as soon as I gather my thoughts into a cohesive story I'll start posting.

Again, a million thanks to all of you for reading and reviewing. Your feedback really means a lot, y'all are the best!

I'll post an update to this story when I put the sequel up so you'll get the notification, I haven't named it yet so I can't even tell you what to be on the lookout for. Hopefully you'll hear from me soon! Don't forget to tell me what you think about this fic! Thanks again for reading.