A/N- Y'all are just amazing. I'm so excited to keep writing because you have kept me motivated with your positive reviews. Lordy, I only posted the last chapter a couple days ago and here we are already. Thank you. Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed or favorited my story. I appreciate it. Enough now, Hermione needs to return to Hogwarts (:

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the story line. I'm in a long line of authors that have played with the characters just like I am. In my wettest dreams... ((;

Chapter 35

April 24, 1999

"Lexi, please. Come home. It's only a couple weeks until your N.E.W.T. exams. The Headmistress has already said that you could return for the exams so you didn't have to worry about anymore schoolwork stressing you out." Hermione favored her father with a smile.

"Daddy, I know you're worried, but I just want things to go back to normal. That won't ever happen if I don't show my face at Hogwarts. The Prophet has already caused so much speculation that it will all look like it's true if I don't return and set people straight." Her father huffed loudly because he knew she was right. Draco and Theo sat silent in the room, neither of them saying a word in either direction of the argument.

"Who gives a fuck what Hogwarts population believes? You've never cared what people think before, baby. Why start now?" Hermione's eyes flashed as she turned to answer him.

"I don't care when it's just me being slandered. When it's people I care about, it's a whole other story. I kept Rita Skeeter in a jar for two months because she wrote stories about Harry. When the Prophet was calling Harry a liar that had lost his sense, I blackmailed Skeeter into printing the truth in the Quibbler. What makes you think I'm going to let them get away with saying those horrible things about you, Kingsley, Harry, and Luci? Not going to happen." Hermione almost burst out laughing at her father's muttered "bloody Gryffindor".

The Gryffindor continued to pack her things away in her beaded bag as her mind drifted to the day after she had first woke up.

"Flashback*

Hermione has just finished eating her breakfast and taking her potions, Draco's watchful eye taking in every movement, when Harry had burst into her room, face red and hand clutching a newspaper in his hand. He threw himself down in one of the arm chairs in his room before he growled out a greeting.

"Hey, 'Mi. Hope your day is going better than mine." She raised one of her eyebrows at him, a move she had been practicing all year and finally mastered. When she just waited for Harry to explain further, he rolled his eyes and began waving his hands in time with his angry outbursts.

"This bloody Roger Dunleavy is a menace! He wrote the worst article in the Prophet and now I have no peace. Worse than before if you can imagine that." Hermione was instantly incensed. She held her hand out for the offending newspaper to be handed to her. Harry seemed to hesitate for only a few moments before he handed it over to her. When she saw the headline, she knew instantly that the article would be sensational and full of lies.

Daring Rescue or Devious Plan?

By Roger Dunleavy

Just three days ago Gryffindor's most famous princess was kidnapped by the remaining uncaptured Death Eaters. Sources from the DMLE say that Hermione Nott has been receiving threatening letters for upwards to eight months. She has been attacked twice already, once in Hogsmeade and once in Hogwarts itself, both resulting in injuries for the young Nott princess.

The DMLE said they were investigating the matter thoroughly, at the insistence of Harry Potter, auror trainee, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic. While this is to be expected, they were both close friends with Hermione Nott during the war, their insistence and experience turned up no information on the Death Eaters. Is it possible Harry Potter and Kingsley Shacklebolt wanted the Gryffindor Princess to be found by Death Eaters?

I ask this question because it was the Minister of Magic himself who signed off on the release of well-known Death Eaters Lucius Malfoy and Theodore Nott, supposedly for giving information that led to the capture of their former cohorts. I ask you this, dear readers. If Harry Potter and Kingsley Shacklebolt, both well-known for their capture of dark wizards, fueled by the information of two Death Eaters that have a close relationship with Miss Nott couldn't keep the Head Girl of Hogwarts safe, why do we put our trust in them?

Personally, I smell something fishy about this whole situation.

When Theodore Nott decided to check the safe house that their information just three months before had captured several Death Eaters, there was no official mission by the aurors investigating the disappearance of Miss Nott. The Minister and the Savior of the Wizarding World went completely rogue with Death Eaters that had every reason in the world to want Hermione Nott dead.

Dead she almost was, truth be told. Antonin Dolohov orchestrated the whole kidnapping and torture of Hermione Nott and Theodore Nott and Lucius Malfoy were the ones to find her. Did they know ahead of time where she was? Were they hoping that she would succumb to death while under the harsh ministrations of their past cohort Dolohov?

Do all four men want Hermione Nott dead?

It's no secret that Lucius Malfoy has hated Hermione Nott since he first learned of her existence. Her beliefs are opposite to his in every way. Now the scion of House Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, is dating the Nott princess and rumors say that he plans to ask for her hand.

Theodore Nott, her father, was reportedly the one who sold his daughter to the squib relation that had moved to the muggle world. Is Miss Nott, who seems to a mirror image of her mother, a harsh reminder that his wife had been unfaithful? Would life be easier if Hermione Nott wasn't a factor?

Kingsley Shacklebolt was a well-known member of the Order of the Phoenix and reportedly took over the organization when Albus Dumbledore was murdered by Severus Snape. He makes no secret of the fact that Hermione Nott has saved his life several times. Does she know any other secrets that our esteemed Minister of Magic would want to keep hidden? Secrets worth killing for?

Lastly, there is Harry Potter. Is there any reason for him to want his best friend of eight years dead? It's a well-known fact that Miss Nott and Ronald Weasley had a falling out after the war. Would Harry Potter be willing to make the life of his very best friend easier by letting Death Eaters take care of the third member of their Trio?

All of these speculations aside, the worst aspect of this story is that of the seven men that were responsible for the kidnapping and torture of Hermione Nott and Ginevra Weasley, only one survived. None of the men responsible for the deaths of these criminals have been brought before the Wizangamot with formal charges. If it had been just the average person that had committed these crimes, they would already be ensconced in a cell in Azkaban. Is the corruption of the new order already so deep-seated that it will ignore murder?

Food for thought, ladies and gentlemen. When we here at the Prophet have more information for you, you can trust we'll let you know.

Hermione was furious. How dare they say those things about her family, about her friends? She could feel herself getting more angry the more she sat there and thought about it. These kinds of articles needed to be handled and quickly. It wouldn't be long before her father and Lucius would have to return to Azkaban simply because of the public outcry for justice.

Hermione swung her gaze back to her friend and saw that he was looking at her with worry in his eyes. She gave him a smile that most people knew to be very frightened of.

"I need some parchment, ink, and a quill." Harry, knowing exactly how his friend could be when she got in these kinds of moods, jumped up to retrieve the items she needed. Draco stepped forward to rub soft circles on her back while Theo stayed in the corner. silently watching the scene play out.

"What are you going to do, Princess?" Hermione raised her eyebrow and smirked at him.

"I'm sending two letters. One to Rita Skeeter. She's going to write another article with the truth and Luna will make sure that her father publishes it in the Quibbler. The second letter is going to our barrister. I want him to buy the Prophet. I'm sick of how they operate, how they print nothing but sensational lies. Once it's owned by the Notts, things are going to change." Theo laughed from his spot in the corner.

"I swear, you should have been a snake. Nothing will ever convince me that you're a lion at heart." Hermione favored her twin with a smile.

"I take it you approve?" Theo nodded still chuckling softly.

"Absolutely. Father would as well. Have fun taking on The Daily Prophet."

*End of Flashback*

Healer Cubster came through the door, Hermione's chart in her hand. Hermione knew that she was going to try to convince her to stay just a little longer. The Healer had agreed to a two day stay in St. Mungo's until the infection in the stab wound on Hermione's side went system wide. The Gryffindor had become horribly sick when the potions for infection didn't have any effect.

While every other healer in the wizarding hospital was at a loss of what to do, Healer Cubster used her muggle background to decide that she needed to get Hermione on antibiotics. Everyone else was at a complete loss of what to do on the subject. Theodore and Lucius were leery to try anything muggle when it meant Hermione's life, but Theo had the final say since Hermione had fallen into a deep sleep brought on by system wide infection. He put his faith in the Healer that had now saved the life of his sister twice and told her to do what she thought necessary.

Hermione's family and friends had watched in bated silence while Healer Cubster had set up an IV bag and put the needle in Hermione's arm. She had told them all that it would take a day or two for the treatment to help any. However, she had been wrong. After only eight hours, Hermione already showed improvement. Her fever had come down and she had come awake, complaining that she was hungry and thirsty. To say that everyone had been amazed that the muggle treatment had worked would be an understatement.

Hermione had just received her last dose of antibiotic the day before and she felt perfectly fine so she had informed Healer Cubster that she would be returning to Hogwarts the following day. The Healer had argued for a few minutes, but finally gave in when she saw just how stubborn the Gryffindor Princess could be.

"You're sure you won't stay just a couple more days for observation, Hermione?" Hermione shook her head.

"Absolutely not. I've been cooped up for too many days as it is. I'm losing my mind." Healer Cubster nodded before she turned to Draco and Theo.

"She is ridiculously stubborn so that means you boys need to pay attention to her and make sure that she is still doing well. If there is any fever whatsoever, bring her back here. I'm not knocking Madam Pomfry, but her potions for infection won't work as was demonstrated just a few days ago. Make sure she drinks plenty of fluids and continues putting the dittany on her wound. It will lessen the chance of a scar since it won't heal with magic. Any redness or heat to the wound means that she needs to be brought back to me immediately." Draco and Theo nodded their heads solemnly. Hermione almost chuckled at how serious they were being, but in the end she couldn't. She had almost died and it had scared everyone to death that the potions wouldn't work. It was still a mystery why they wouldn't work, but Hermione had the theory that Mulciber had spelled the knife somehow to resist healing.

Healer Cubster gave her one last smile as she left, leaving Hermione discharged. The Gryffindor stood and went into her father's arms, hugging him tightly against the waist.

"Thank you again. I'll miss you, but will be home before you know it." She felt him kiss the top of her head as he hugged her back.

"I'll miss you too, Lexi. Stay safe and take care of yourself. No stressing over schoolwork. The Headmistress has already told you you don't have to catch up your schoolwork so I expect you to rest." She nodded into his chest before pulling away.

"I promise." Hermione turned to Harry and hugged him close.

"I'll miss you too, Harry. A little over a month and you can see me whenever you want. Thanks for everything." Harry chuckled at her words.

"I can't wait til you're home. Then you can tutor me in Specialty Potions so I can be the best in all my classes." Hermione chuckled as she pulled out of their hug. She went to Lucius next and hugged him round the middle.

"Thank you again, Luci. For everything." His arms tightened around her shoulders.

"You are most welcome, sweet one. Watch after Theo and Draco. They need someone to keep them in line. She chuckled as she pulled away.

"You can count on it. Someone has to keep them on their schoolwork." The whole room chuckled at her words.

As a group, they made their way down the hall towards the floo. Hermione wished that Kingsley could be here to say goodbye, but he was dealing with the fallout from the article in the Prophet. Hermione had indeed purchased the newspaper, but the new management wouldn't go into effect for another week. When that time came, there would be a huge change taking place.

The Weasleys had all come and said their goodbyes when Ginny had been released three days earlier. Charlie had gone back to Romania, but he had already sent a letter. George had visited every day, but he was currently at the shop and unable to get away to see her off. They had exchanged their goodbyes the night before. Bill had had to return to Hogwarts so he could continue teaching his class.

Hermione still smiled to herself when she thought about the group visit from the Weasleys when Ginny had been released.

*Flashback*

Hermione felt awful. It had been a full day since she had had the IV put in her arm. She felt better than she had, but she was still far from feeling like her old self. Healer Cubster had told her that she has three more days of the antibiotic left and she would just have to suck it up and stay in bed. Everyone else had seemed happy that someone was willing to tell Hermione that she had to remain in bed. Hermione may have protested more if she hadn't felt so damned terrible. A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Harry stood to answer the door and Hermione was as surprised as ever to see Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys file in. Ginny met her eyes briefly before she hurried to the bed and crawled in next to Hermione. She flung her arms around her, wary of the tubes coming out of her arm.

"I'm so happy you're alive, I was so scared that you weren't going to surivive. Merlin, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't survived. I'm so happy you're a bad arse who refuses to die." Hermione held her friend close. She refused to cry, but it took effort on her part.

"Don't you ever jump onto me like that again. They didn't want you at all, you went through all that pain for no good reason. I'll hex you myself if you ever do that again." The room chuckled collectively, even the Weasley parents. When it quieted, Ginny whispered in Hermione's ear.

"Dad is making Mum apologize. In front of everyone. Feel free to make her suffer." Before she could reply, Ginny pulled away and ran into Theo's arms. Arthur stepped forward to Theodore, hand outstretched and serious look on his face. Theodore grasped it while Arthur spoke.

"I know we haven't always seen eye to eye. I know we were on opposite sides of the war. I also know that you've turned a new leaf. If you hadn't, Hermione would never have anything to do with you. That means that I can let everything go and embrace the fact that our children seem to be in a serious relationship. Your boy has treated her well, exactly like she deserves. I approve one hundred percent." Arthur took a deep breath before he continued. "I can never thank you enough for rescuing Ginny. Who knows what those animals would have done to her if you hadn't found her. If you ever need anything, you just say the word." Theodore gave the man a smile.

"No thanks are needed. Call us even. I gave your son a limp, which I regret now that I've met him and know how good a person he is. You also took Hermione in over the years and gave her someone that cared for her. I can never repay that." It was at this point that Charlie stepped forward and grasped Theodore's hand.

"No worries, mate. The past is the past. Let's leave it there." Theodore didn't say a word, just nodded his head in acknowledgement of Charlie's words. Arthur moved on to Lucius and outstretched his hand again. Lucius looked at it disdainfully, but took it in the end.

"I know you didn't go into that safe house to save my daughter. You went in there to save Hermione. Regardless, I thank you. My daughter was still saved as a result and Hermione has been a second daughter to me since her second year. Thank you." Lucius nodded curtly before he released Arthur's hand and stepped back. Arthur stepped back and turned a glaring eye to his wife. Molly sighed and stepped forward, but didn't offer her hand to anyone.

"I have not been the most accepting of anything to do with this situation. I can admit that I was wrong. I should not have held your birth against you, Hermione. I know I said some terrible things to you and for that I apologize. I hope that you can someday forgive me." Molly turned to Theo next.

"I apologize for the things I've said to you since Ginny has been in the hospital. I'm so grateful that you went after her. Those monsters would have eventually used her and killed her. I no longer have any problem with the two of you seeing each other." Next she turned to Theodore and Lucius.

"I've never seen eye to eye with the two of you, but I want to thank you for saving my daughter. I apologize for judging you so harshly when it was clear that you were changing your ways. If there is ever anything I can do for the two of your families, please let me know." Finally, she turned back to Hermione and Theo.

"The two of you are welcome at my house whenever you like. I would love to show you how hospitable I can really be." She finally fell silent so Hermione put her out of her misery.

"Thank you, Molly. Of course I forgive you. Thank you for accepting my new family." Molly just nodded at her words before she turned and left. One by one, the Weasleys followed after her with a smile and wave, Ginny stopping to hug and kiss Theo first. When the Weasleys were all gone, Lucius spoke.

"That was both incredibly awkward and intense." The room burst into laughter and carried on the conversations from before their visitors had arrived.

*End of Flashback*

Hermione stepped into the floo after Theo had disappeared in a flash of green flames. With one last wave to her father, Lucius, and Harry, Hermione disappeared as she called out "Hogwarts". When she finally stopped spinning, she was in Headmistress McGonagall's office. Theo reached out and helped her over the grate so she could leave room for Draco. The Headmistress rose from her desk and came forward to pull Hermione into her embrace.

"Welcome back, Miss Nott. I'm so thrilled that you're alright after your stay in St. Mungo's." Hermione hugged her favorite professor back.

"Thank you, Headmistress. I want to thank you for allowing me to come back without worrying about the schoolwork I missed." The Headmistress laughed.

"Miss Nott, we both know that you haven't learned a single new thing this year. You could have taken your N.E.W.T.s in August and passed with all O's." Hermione gave her a smile as Draco appeared in the fireplace. The Headmistress went forward as Draco stepped out and laid a hand on both Draco and Theo's shoulders.

"I know I'm not supposed to admit to having favorites, but Miss Nott has been a favorite student of mine since her first year. Thank you for taking care of her and making finding her a priority." Theo and Draco both looked embarrassed, but nodded their heads at her words. The Headmistress smiled as she turned back to Hermione.

"I suggest you go down to lunch and let the Gryffindors know that you're back. They've all been worried about you." Hermione nodded her acceptance of the plan, but she really wanted to laugh. Gryffindor hadn't given a fuck about her since she had came back in September.

The trio made their way down the stairs from the Headmistress' office and started towards the Great Hall. Hermione knew that both men echoed her thoughts on how the Gryffindors felt, but neither would say a word about it for fear of hurting her feelings.

When they entered the Great Hall, the food had just appeared. They were only five steps into the room when it fell silent because someone had noticed that they had entered. Usually on Saturdays, you could count on only half the students being present for lunch. Today, however, it seemed as though nobody was missing.

Draco's arm was wrapped firmly around her waist holding her close as they made their way to their end of the Gryffindor table. Hermione made no eye contact with anyone aside from her friends. Ginny stood and threw herself into Theo's arms as they got closer and Neville and Luna both stood to bestow hugs upon Hermione before she sat.

When she was finally seated, the low hum of chatter resumed, but Hermione knew that she was nowhere near out of the woods yet. Draco dished up her plate of chicken and potatoes and she started to eat, vowing to see if Winky would bring them dinner in their common room. Just as she predicted, Dean and Seamus approached their end of the table and sat next to Neville.

"Hermione, we're so happy to hear that you're alright. Those fucking Slytherins just handed you over to those crazies. I can't believe that your father used to work with those arse holes." Hermione didn't say anything as she set her fork down. Both Theo and Draco were silent as they waited for her to figure out how she wanted to answer her former friends. When she spoke, it was in a confused tone.

"So you two are talking to me again? Thought I was a traitor? I would think you would assume that a traitor got what she deserved." Both Dean and Seamus went quiet at her words. When Dean spoke, it was heavy with contrition.

"We were stupid, Hermione. We didn't think that those two could really change, we thought that you were being a traitor to your House and your friends. We wanted to apologize ages ago, but we didn't really know how to go about doing it. Malfoy and Nott proved us wrong. They aren't filthy Death Eaters. Well, they may have been at one time, but they aren't anymore. Can you please forgive us?" Hermione couldn't believe they had actually apologized, let alone been honest as to the reason they had shunned her in the first place. She gave them a smile and pointed her finger at them.

"Of course I forgive you. Don't think I'll turn my head if you try to hex them." Both boys laughed and turned to Theo and Draco.

"Friends?" Both Slytherins looked as if they would rather be dipped in acid than be friends with the Gryffindors in front of them, but they both nodded.

"Friends."

The conversation resumed as Dean and Seamus dished themselves up a plate so they could sit and eat wth them. As always, the chatter turned to quidditch. Hermione was listening good-naturedly as they all argued over which chaser was better, Miles Charter from the Tornados or Sean James from the Bats. The meal was almost finished when Parvati Patil and Romilda Vane approached their end of the table. Parvati sneered in their direction and Hermione sighed inwardly. She really wasn't in the mood for this shite. She just wanted to go relax in their common room.

"Well if it isn't Little Miss Lucky. We understand that you have no say in who your parents are. What kind of person, however, goes and calls the person that sold them to a squib 'daddy'?" Hermione saw red. After the article in the Prophet had come out, it was painfully clear that there was a leak in the auror office. That information had been in one of her letters, which had been turned over to the auror department. In that moment, Hermione knew exactly who had talked.

"So when did Ron tell you?" Parvati gave her a sneer as she answered.

"The day you were taken of course. It was the talk of the school and he came to gather information at Hogwarts." The second she stopped speaking, she realized her mistake. It was Hermione's turn to smirk.

"Well, I know who the leak is now, don't I? You shouldn't believe everything you hear from unreliable sources. Ron never knew the truth of what happened to me because he had already ate a douche bag pie so I didn't tell him shite. However, since I don't particularly like you, I think you'll just have to continue to wonder what the truth is." The Indian girl left in a huff as Ginny started screeching.

"I can't believe that arse hole talked to that prick reporter about you! He's going to lose his job when I'm done." The redhead stalked off in her fit of fury and Hermione was nowhere near ambitious enough to go after her and convince her otherwise. Let Ron pay for his mistakes for once in his life. Hermione rose from the table before anyone else could come talk to her.

"I'm ready to go relax. I still don't feel a hundred percent." All her friends rose with her, even Dean and Seamus, and followed her out of the Great Hall and towards the Head Dorms. It took her a little longer than normal to climb the five flights of stairs to her room, but she was rewarded by getting her favorite spot on the couch once they arrived.

Hermione didn't sit long though. She was uncomfortable in her jeans as they rubbed on her stab wound. She went to her room and changed into her pajamas. The soft material of her shorts didn't rub her raw and her tank top allowed her free movement. When she came back out of her room, she didn't even bother trying to find another seat on the couch. She took a seat on Draco's lap and snuggled into his chest when his arms came around her.

The conversation droned on around her, mostly about quidditch. It was no time at all when her eyes drifted closed and let sleep take her.

-O-

Draco was thrilled that Hermione had fallen asleep on him. He was worried to death that she wasn't ready to leave St. Mungo's, but he knew there was no convincing her otherwise. It was a fact that he would be watching her very closely in the coming week.

Once Thomas and Finnegan had apologized, he found that they really weren't as bad as he thought. They had been honest, far more honest than he would have been in their position. They also provided more opinions to discuss when it came to quidditch.

Draco couldn't say that he was surprised when Hermione had tricked Patil into outing the Weasel as the leak in the auror department. He was laughing on the inside at the Weasel losing his job when Ginny told Kingsley.

Hermione sat curled in his lap all afternoon, sleeping against his chest, while he and their friends talked the day away. She finally stirred when the portrait door closed behind all their friends heading to dinner. Draco smiled down at her as she tried to apologize for leaving him to play host for so long. He waved her words away as he stood to head to the kitchens.

"Stay here, Princess. I'm going to go get us some dinner from the kitchens. You don't need to brave the Great Hall twice in one day." She gave him a soft smile and nodded as she headed towards the loo.

Draco made his way quickly to kitchens, running into nobody of consequence along the way. The elves were thrilled to help him out with a meal for the two of them. It didn't take them long at all to gather enough food to feed an army and stuff it in a basket. With their urgent thank yous for coming to them ringing in his ears, he left the kitchen to make his way back to their dorms. He was only a floor away when he ran into Pansy.

"How is she?" There was no contempt in her voice and Draco was instantly confused. He chose his words wisely before speaking.

"She's better. Healing." Pansy crossed her arms across her chest while she nodded at his words.

"I'm glad you found her when you did. Tell her I said I hope she gets better soon." Draco nodded, his eyebrows high in his hairline. Pansy didn't wait around for any more words, just left him standing there like an idiot with his picnic basket in hand. Could she actually have accepted that he was with Hermione and she no longer stood a chance? Shaking off his wonder and confusion, he continued on his way back to their dorms.

When he entered their common room, it was to find Hermione back in her spot on the couch, a light blanket covering her legs. Draco set the basket down and sat next to her, drawing her feet into his lap.

"I ran into Pansy. She wanted me to tell you that she hopes you get better aoon." Hermione didn't seem surprised so he decided to leave it alone and chalk it up to being a girl thing. He hurriedly served up a plate for her and then himself.

The pair ate in unhurried silence, comfortable and happy to finally spend time together with nobody else hanging over their shoulders. In the hospital, there had constantly been someone in the room wanting to spend time with her or to check on her health. To have it be just the two of them again was wonderful.

Hermione finished first which didn't surprise Draco in the least. She had ate a fair amount so he didn't bother to berate her for her lack of appetite. When he finally finished and put the last of the dishes in the picnic basket, the wicker basket disappeared, back to the kitchen Draco assumed.

Draco leaned down without a word and pulled Hermione's feet into his lap so he could begin kneading her arches. She moaned softly and the sound of it went straight to his cock. It instantly stood at attention when he focused on Hermione's tits straining against her tank top. As if she had radar tuned straight to him, Hermione looked up and met his eyes.

"Make love to me, Drake?" He knew that he shouldn't. He should tell her no and make her rest a few more days, but he really didn't have it in him to deny her when she asked so sweetly. Instead of what he should do, he lifted her feet out of his lap so he could stand. When he was erect, he bent down and scooped her up into his arms bridal style so he could carry her into her room. He was stopped, however, at her words.

"Why do we always sleep in my room? It isn't very fair to you." He chuckled and continued into her room.

"I don't like my room because it isn't covered in your warmth. Your room has your warmth all over the walls in pictures with your friends and family. Mine has nothing. It's cold." She said nothing more, but wrapped her arms around his neck so she could pull him down in a kiss.

Draco felt his cock harden even more as she sighed into his mouth, obviously aroused by their kiss. He laid her down gently on the bed and he was loathe to break their kiss. However, he did so he could completely focus on vanishing not only her clothes but his own. Skin on skin was ecstacy and torture all at once, Draco unable to decide which was better.

He didn't have the patience to give plenty of foreplay. Draco was desperate to feel her soft, tight walls around him. His fingers found her folds as he positioned himself between her legs, making sure that she was fully prepared. When his fingers came back slick and slippery with her arousal, he didn't waste another second before lining up his cock and plunging into her depths.

Hermione groaned at the intrusion of his cock and with his second stroke, she was already moaning. Draco had never praised Merlin so much before that his witch was as responsive as she was. If she had needed just a stroke or two more, he would have left her wanting.

It was embarrassing the short amount of time that it took the two of them to explode for the other, Hermione first and Draco quickly following. It wasn't the longest and it wasn't the most intimate, but they had accomplished their goals and fulfilled their needs. There would be time for the rest in the morning. It would be Sunday, afterall.

After cleansing spells were cast, the pair snuggled into each other and murmured their love. Draco didn't feel the least bit bad or inattentive when he dropped off to sleep since Hermione had beat him there by only mere minutes. Both clung to each other tightly through the night, willing each other's nightmares away.

A/N- Hope y'all liked my return to Hogwarts and eating crow chapter. I, for one, feel like Molly needed a huge helping of crow. Since I doubt there will be anymore bonus chapters, that means that there are only 40 chapters in this story. Five more chapters and two of them are epilogues. Now for the big question...my two main ships are Fred/Hermione and Draco/Hermione. I've tried my hand at a marriage law fic, a veela fic, and a pureblood Hermione fic. The next on my list is a soul bond. I've narrowed it to Draco saving Hermione from Bellatrix and his parents sending him with Hermione injured. She heals him and creates a soul bond. The second is a "heal Fred when injured and create a soul bond even though she's dating Ron" fic. You have five chapters to vote for which one you would like to see be my next story. I'm torn so I need input! Thank you for leaving a review, I do so appreciate them.

Love,

A