Hermione woke up when she hard a small thump coming from Pansy's side of the room. She rolled her eyes at Ron's clumsiness, as Ginny and herself were beginning to become used to him coming and going from her bed at all hours of the night. As she settled down again, she suddenly remembered what had happened last night and who was still in her bed.

The early morning light was dimly seeping through the curtains, giving her enough light to get a good look at her sleeping bedmate. It was extremely rare to see Draco so at ease, even when they were just mucking about in the den.

He face really reminded her of a painting that she had seen a few years ago. She couldn't really remember the title or even the artist, but she had thought about a fallen angel at the time. Draco was that personified. The angular features had softened a touch since his birthday, but were still sharp, but his hair and coloring gave him an almost other worldly appearance.

She wanted to study him, but didn't feel to comfortable on the intrusion of privacy. The dizziness that would usually overcome her when Draco was near wasn't strong now, only a need to be as close to him as possible. She laid her head gently back on his chest, feeling his left hand move as if to make sure she was still there.

At first, she marveled at how warm he was, like a soothing warmth that was perfect for cuddling down to. She closed her eyes and then she began to hear a heartbeat. It shocked her at how slow it was. About twice as slow as normal and she laid there, listening to the slow and steady beat.

"It slowed about a week after I changed." Draco said with a husky voice.

"Are we really doing this? I mean, I don't want our friendship to suffer if this doesn't work out."

Draco just pulled himself up against the headboard, pulling her along with him. After a bit of maneuvering, he had her facing him, sitting Indian style on his thighs. "This isn't some little game, Hermione. We belong to each other. I feel the link to me beginning to wake up but you keep on suppressing it. Our love is the only thing that is keeping me sane right now. I've loved you for so long, before this year, even. I just confused hate with love but its been you for so long."

"And how do you know that you're now confusing with friendship with love. I mean, maybe since you see Ginny with Harry and Pansy with Ron, I'm the only one that's free."

"If I could just describe what I feel for you, you wouldn't question my feelings."

"I'm just scared, Draco."

"Don't be. There's nothing to be scared of. You'll see, in time, you will let your instinct take over and it will all be second nature for you. We'll be happy together. I promise you."

With that, he pulled her closer, placing gentle kisses all over her face, trying to draw out her playful side. After a few minutes, he bent his head and kissed her, right between her ear and the start of her neck. Draco 

gently nipped at her there, and when he heard the sweet tiny whimper from her mouth, he applied more pressure, trying to finally seduce her.

"Hermione! Come on, wake up! We have to beat the boys to breakfast!" Came Ginny's voice from outside of her bed. Hermione immediately pulled away, running her hands franticly over her face and hair.

"Calm down. Just go get ready. I'll transfigure my clothes and freshen up with a charm and meet you downstairs." Draco whispered, kissing her gently on the lips and helping her stand. He laid back and listened to the chatter. He frowned as he heard Pansy talk about Ron coming to her at night, from the sound of things, it was as if this had been going on for a while.

He smiled when he heard Ginny ask why she was so flushed. "I think someone had a nice dream about a certain blonde that's mad about her." Pansy's voice sang out with a smile from a farther corner in the room.

"Oh stop it. Lets just go. I'm starved." Hermione replied and ushered the two out the room.

Hermione walked down to the kitchen with her friends, trying her hardest to pay attention to what Pansy but her thoughts kept her from paying attention. It was as if she had left her heart and mind back in the bed, and she smiled to herself.

She had never felt this happy, this alive. She could swear that she still felt Draco's lips on hers, that his warm arms were still holding her. The lightheadedness was still there now, but she basked in it, welcoming the feelings that were now emerging for the first time in her life. Now she knew what Ginny and Pansy were talking about when they spoke about Harry and Ron.

When they were downstairs, helping Molly set up the table, she felt Draco before she heard him come in, a blush spreading across her face. She stood motionless, unable to move as Draco slowly walked over to her, reminding her of a white tiger coming in for a kill. With a smirk, he whispered a gentle 'Good morning' and kissed her gently, right on the lips, in front of her friends.

The reaction was almost immediate. She saw Ron hand over some galleons to Harry, Pansy and Ginny asked different questions, pulling her away from the boy and talking all at once. "Now, now I want everybody sitting at the table and eating in five seconds or there will be no breakfast. I'm sure once you all have your bellies full, you can discuss things calmly." Molly said over the voices.

Things immediately settled, the threat of no food quickly shutting their mouths, even wiping the smirk from Draco's lips.

He sat down next to her as always, but placing his right hand gently on her thigh. He smiled sideways at her 

before giving her leg a gentle squeeze. He calmly placed his napkin on his own lap, grabbing at the serving dish of scrambled eggs that Harry and Ron weren't currently attacking. One of the things that she really liked about him was how impeccable his manners were, even after hanging around Harry and Ron, who seemed to be competing on who could shove the most food the fast into their mouths.

With much blushing, Hermione tried to explain what was now happening, Draco quickly spoke up "Hermione and I are together now. I expect us all to be adults about this and let us have our privacy."

With that, the other four teenagers quieted down to the normal conversation of everyday. Occasionally, Draco would touch her, on the thigh, neck, or shoulder, as if assuring her he was right there with her.

Narcissa walked in well into breakfast, her eyes taking in how much closer her son was sitting to his mate. Her eyes brightened when he saw the look that they shared, it was only a few seconds, but she knew that look, the same look that she and Kingsley used to share so many years ago.

With a small smile beautifully gracing her face, she settled down next to Molly and joined the conversation, sneaking spying glances at the new couple.

Things were progressing quite nicely, she thought to herself, focusing on the new healing spells that Molly was talking about.

AN: Sorry this is so short; I wanted to get something posted because I got such ridiculously awesome reviews. Anyone know what to do to get rid of morning sickness? I've tried everything and I'm starting to lose weight and its getting crazy. Next update will be up on Wednesday, cross my heart! R&R please!