A/n: Happy Christmas everyone!!!! I'm done my last fall semester of undergrad and as a Christmas treat to all of my fans I decided to put up the first of two chapters in two days… well that's the plan at least. Like I have said before, I am starting a new fic… it will probably start on the first day of 2009… still working out the kinks. It's a hrm/sev fic so be on the look out for that in the new year…

Better Than You

Hermione looked up towards her ceiling, her body relaxed and comfortable, and a small smile playing across her lips. She sighed, her body still recovering from the aftermath of being with Malfoy. She could feel her eyes close slowly and she knew that she could get used to this.

"You're not sleeping are you?" his voice whispered as he made his way across the room.

Hermione didn't answer him. She steadied her breath so he would know that she was sleeping. She could hear him chuckle softly as he took his rightful place in her bed. She felt his hands through her hair as he hummed a soft tune which almost really made Hermione take that last step to drop off into a deep sleep.

He stopped, but she could still feel his eyes on her form so she let out a soft sigh and rolled over on her side. He instantly took the opportunity to fold his naked form over hers. His breath felt warm on her neck.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

She felt his lips on her neck and she had to control the urge to shudder.

"I want you and only you," he continued. "I want you to be my wife."

Hermione could feel herself drop off into a deep sleep on these words.

The next few days for the both of them we're filled with tangled sheets, tangled legs, and tangled ballet shoes. Hermione felt rejuvenated and she could see that Malfoy did too. Their practices were going well, well the ones without Ana at least. Hermione was pleased to see that everyone was improving, but could tell that the double practices for Malfoy were starting to get to him. He would essentially go to each practice, the ones with Hermione and the others with Elijah and top it off by shagging her every night.

She looked to his bare chest heaving after their latest shagging session.

"Draco, you need to get some sleep." She panted slightly.

"No, I'm fine."

"Go to sleep, I can see how tired you are."

He fixed his grey eyes on hers before rolling back on top of her and pinning her down again.

"My body has missed yours to the point that's it's trying to make up for those past eight years."

Hermione could feel him growing between her legs again.

"Again?" she said smiling.

"Told you," he said chuckling. His lips found hers as he probed her entrance for the third time that night.

Draco Malfoy woke up the warm summer sun streaming through the window. Hermione's naked form was barely covered by the thin sheet. He took the time to gaze at her form, he of course had memorized every inch of her body during their last year at Hogwarts, but he never got tired of looking at it. He lifted the sheet and gazed at the curvature of her spine and her graceful neck.

"Enjoying the show?" she asked, her voice muffled by her pillow.

She rolled over to look at him.

There was a knock at the door, and before they could react the door burst open.

Cheryl stumbled in happily.

"Hermione, you need to get…"

"CHERYL!!!" Hermione screamed.

Hermione yanked the covers to cover up herself, and he did the same, but Hermione was stronger and yanked it right out of his grasp.

Cheryl smiled instantly and turned around.

"I decided to come over and make breakfast, Elijah is here too."

She left the room.

He looked to Hermione whose hands relaxed.

"Has Cheryl ever seen you naked?" He asked curiously.

"Of course."

"So you thought that it was about time that she saw me naked?"

He watched as her gaze glanced down at him.

"She probably didn't see anything."

"I doubt that." He said smiling.

Hermione got up, not bothering to cover herself. He watched as she went into her closet and wrapped a towel around herself.

"I think I'm going to grab a shower."

She smiled at him softly.

He couldn't help but smile in response. The past couple of days for him had been tiring, but try as he might he couldn't sleep at all. Every night for the past eight years his mind was filled with thoughts of holding Hermione, of watching her chest rise and fall with each necessary breath as she slept. Even when he was dead tired he would watch her sleep for hours before falling under himself.

She threw him a towel.

"Well aren't you going to join me?" She asked, a malicious smirk appeared on her face.

He didn't hesitate.

Hermione made her way downstairs happily, and Malfoy followed suit. She only wondered for a second about Elijah's presence in her home, but then thought of the part that he had offered her only a few days ago. She made her way to the table where a fashionable Elijah sat, picking at the food that Cheryl had placed before him. Blaise was sitting at the table enjoying the paper and eating.

"Took you two long enough," Cheryl said smiling knowingly. She glanced at Malfoy and Hermione noticed the pink tinge that crept across her cheeks. Hermione couldn't help but smile, so Cheryl did see Malfoy in all his glory.

"Hello Elijah," Hermione said ignoring Cheryl's statement. "What brings you here?"

"Mate, I need to talk to you." Malfoy's voice called out.

Hermione looked to Draco who was looking to Blaise. She wondered only momentarily what that was about but didn't say anything. They left the room and went outside into the sunny backyard. Cheryl looked torn between going outside and staying inside; she chose the former and followed them outside.

"I wanted to have another practice today. Everyone should be arriving within the hour."

Hermione was taken aback, but didn't say anything. This was the day that she and Malfoy were going to spend together, alone, and out of the house for once.

"Any reason why?"

"I've been piecing the show together and I just want to make sure that everything is cohesive."

"Is there something wrong with the pieces I gave you, do you need me to change anything?"

Hermione couldn't help but think that something was wrong with her pieces; she didn't understand why he would want to hold an emergency practice. There was plenty of time before the show to make changes.

"Hermione your pieces are fine, the people dancing them…well that's a different story."

Hermione knew what was coming.

"Have you decided whether you want to take the part?" He asked glancing hopefully up at her.

"Elijah, my answer hasn't changed since the last time you asked me." She said politely.

"When are you going to stop being so noble Hermione Granger?"

There was a long pause. Hermione didn't have a response for once.

"If this was any one dancer they would have taken the part in less than a heartbeat."

She knew that he was right but it didn't deter her decision.

"If you really don't want Ana to do the part," she started. "Then fire her, let Karyn take the part."

"And who would be the understudy to my understudy?"

There was a short pause.

"No, no, no Elijah." She said shaking her head. She could already see the connection that he was forming in his head.

"Hermione, you could do it, you probably won't even have to go on stage, unless Karyn decides to take a break."

She thought about it, but she still wasn't convinced.

"Look, I can't trust anyone with this. This is the biggest production of my career to date…"

Hermione hesitated, and that is when he pounced.

"Hermione, do you really think your aunt would want this for you?"

She knew that her she would. She also knew that if it was up to her aunt she would have hounded Elijah to give her the part from the beginning. Thinking about her, squeezed her heart tightly.

"You have yet to fire Ana, so I don't understand why you're even asking me this right now."

A triumphant smile crossed his face.

"But if I did…"

"Which you won't…"

"But if I did would you be Karyn's understudy?"

Hermione let out a sigh. She knew of Elijah's great negotiating skills, and she couldn't help but cave.

"I guess…"

"Are you alright mate?" Blaise asked. He helped Cheryl into one of the patio chairs before taking one himself.

"I'm great actually," he said smiling, and this was true he was feeling great.

"So what's going on?" Cheryl asked curiously.

He looked to her and saw her shift uncomfortably in her seat. He knew that she got a good look at him this morning. He smiled slightly, and without saying a word he pulled the black velvet box out of his pocket.

Cheryl sat on her hands to contain her excitement while Blaise looked at him knowingly.

"So Blaise, how did you propose to Cheryl?"

Cheryl looked to the ring box and decided that she couldn't contain herself any longer. She grabbed it and without hesitation she opened the box and gasped.

"Proposing to Cheryl was one of the hardest things I ever done."

Cheryl glanced up from the ring and glared at him incredulously.

"Keeping the secret was the hard part," He continued. "I really didn't know exactly how to propose to her. I wanted to do the romantic thing and propose to her at a restaurant, but it was too clichéd so I went with something simple. I took Cheryl to the park to feed the ducks…"

Malfoy had to suppress a smirk.

"Well, Cheryl was feeding the ducks. Every once in awhile I would give her bread, and in one handful I gave her the ring. She nearly chucked it at the ducks before I stopped her."

Blaise let out a laugh and he joined in. He could picture it all very clearly.

"But her reaction was priceless."

"I said something on the lines of 'It's about damn time!' before kissing him." Cheryl smiled and glanced at the ring that adorned her left hand.

There was a long pause as he sat in silent contemplation. He wasn't going to be able to surprise Hermione. She already knew about the ring, about his plans to make her his wife.

Cheryl gave the ring box to Blaise and looked to him.

"I want to say welcome to the family, but you've been a part of it for so long that there is no need." She started. "But if you ever hurt my cousin again, I will hunt you down myself."

He could hear that this wasn't an empty threat.

"Cheryl you have nothing to worry about," Blaise said easing the tension.

"That is a beautiful ring by the way," Cheryl said relaxing in her chair. "It suits her."

"So how are you going to do it?" Blaise asked.

Malfoy had been contemplating that question ever since the surprise was ruined. The sun was getting higher in the sky and a hot breeze barely blew around them. He looked around the large backyard, to the gazebo, and to the happy couple that looked at him expectantly.

"When are you going to do it is more like it." Cheryl said smiling.

"I think I have an idea," he said slowly.

Before he could elaborate the backdoor opened to reveal Hermione.

"We have practice today," she said without preamble.

Malfoy didn't question it. That could be the only possible explanation for Elijah's presence.

An hour and a half later Hermione was sweating from the session. Ana was doing exceptionally well, and Hermione felt a bubble of hope. Maybe Ana wouldn't get fired after all, but the more she thought about it, the more that bubble seem to deflate. Didn't she want Ana to perform in Elijah's production?

Karyn looked on at their moving bodies, her face a bit sour. She must have realized that Ana was here to stay too.

The music came to a halt and Hermione decided that maybe it was time to take a break. She walked to the chairs and sighed into her seat. Malfoy joined her and grabbed her hand. Hermione instantly became self conscious and she glanced around the studio to see if anyone had noticed, when her eyes caught Ana she could see her swell up to her full height. Her nose was slightly upturned and her shoulders were back. Ever since Hermione had given her that black eye she wore it like a crown, and today was no different.

"Elijah, is it ok if I show you the first dance again. I've been really working on it, and I think that you would like it." Ana called out.

Hermione couldn't help but be surprised; she didn't know that Ana was trying to improve her performance of the first dance. Hermione had seen her dance that piece a couple of days ago and it didn't look improved. She had gotten so angry that she decided to go on and teach them the second dance.

"Sure, sure." Elijah replied.

"Karyn…Scott." Hermione said beckoning them to sit. Malfoy sighed, released her hand and stood to join his counterpart.

Malfoy and Ana took their positions and Hermione put on the music. They began dancing. Hermione couldn't help but look on impressed, Ana had been holding out on her. She danced it beautifully, better than Hermione had ever seen it. She couldn't help but look on suspiciously, why was Ana dancing it so beautifully now? Hermione turned her gaze on Elijah who looked as shocked as she felt.

Malfoy followed her around the dance floor, his feet skating across the floor. The music continued and Hermione looked on. Where did that move come from? She almost stood but Elijah grabbed her wrist. Blood, rage, and blind anger consumed her as she watched the dance that was supposed to be hers, but wasn't.

"Calm down," he whispered.

Malfoy continued, looking confused, but he kept going. The music soon came to a halt and Ana had a triumphant smile across her face. Hermione's fingernails were digging into her own skin from her clutched fists.

Elijah stood and Hermione followed, unable to speak. She took a few deep breaths to steady herself. If she wasn't careful what happened on Saturday night could possibly happen again.

"Ana, just what the bloody hell do you think your doing?" Elijah asked angrily.

Hermione looked as Ana gracefully walked over to Elijah. Malfoy joined her at her side and held on to her by wrapping an arm possessively around her.

"I knew you would like it," she said panting.

"Do you know how disrespectful that is to change Hermione's choreography?" Elijah asked. "It is completely unprofessional, now apologize."

"Elijah, who are you kidding, how are you going to let some unknown, untrained, second rate instructor choreograph for your ballet?"

Those words cut deep. Hermione looked at her angrily and excused herself. She knew that Ana was getting back at her for Saturday. She walked slowly across the room and told Karyn and Scott that practice was over.

"You do not question my decisions Miss Miller, remember you are just a dancer, and dancers can be replaced."

"What are you saying Elijah? Are you saying that you can replace me? With who… Karyn?" Ana spat angrily. "She will never be able to dance like me."

Hermione snapped her head around and before she could cross the room Malfoy stopped her.

"Careful," he whispered.

"You know what Ana, you're right. Karyn will never dance like you because she dances better than you." Hermione called out.

"Ana, not only did you insult my choreographer, you insulted me, my decision making abilities, and your fellow colleagues. You are no longer a member of this production…"

"WHAT!?"

"You will no longer be allowed on these premises or the stage in London. If you do show up, guards will be waiting to escort you out. Is that clear?"

"Elijah you can't do this to me, Draco tell him."

Malfoy didn't say anything, nor did he move from holding Hermione. She looked up at him, her anger slowly ebbed away. She didn't hear the angry exchange that followed because she left the studio without a single glance backwards. She went up the stairs to the living room landing and then up the second flight of stairs to her makeshift studio.

She sighed before a single tear fell from her eye. She tried to not let Ana's words get to her, but today she just couldn't let it go. Her aunt ahd taught her everything she knew, and for Ana to call her second rate was an insult not only to her but to her Aunt's dance ability.

She began stretching on the barre before turning a song on, and for the first time in a very long time, she danced, and left everything on the floor.

A/n: After five all nighters, 12 cups of coffee, 3 5-hr energy shots, 4 extremely hard finals… and sleepless nights I give you this chapter! So there you have it… as I said before there are only a couple of chapters left… 3-4… but I could be lying… who knows… expect another chapter tomorrow… hopefully! Happy Christmas everyone! Thanks for the REVIEWS!!!

As Always…Cherbi161