Ugg this is terrible. Turns out I had a severe migraine attack my left optic nerve. I couldn't see out of my left eye and I was just in poor humor becuase I couldn't write and I was sick and tired and forced to go to the doctors. but I'm back and slightly better. My left eye is still hazy at the top left corner of my vision but I am doing better. I only wrote three pages today and I am upset becuase three pages isn't enough in my opinion! I must write more so I will probably have a late night to get my chapters done.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Enjoy!

EDIT: Someone pointed out I made a rather terrible mistake so I fixed it and put it back up. Alright! On wards!

Chapter 38

The day had been long, no doubt about it. Hermione had wanted nothing more than to throw herself at Draco all evening. It was a rather strange feeling, being that physically attracted to someone. She wanted him with every cell in her body and she had almost been glad she had been spelled to every one of her seats. She knew she would have jumped him, literally. She looked at the book he had given her with a sigh before putting it in her suitcase. She would need some reading material in Italy. Scorpius had loved his gifts and Draco seemed to enjoy his as well. Although Draco didn't speak to his father, they seemed to be content in ignoring one another.

"Hermione dear?" Narcissa's voice snapped Hermione out of her thoughts. "You don't have to pack right now. You can do it later." Her blue eyes were soft and Hermione sighed.

"I can't look at these things right now. I need time to think about this. I want Draco so badly that I feel like I'll blow up from tension." Hermione blew and errant curl out of her face and Narcissa chuckled.

"I felt that way too in all honesty. I wasn't convinced my parents were punishing him; I could have sworn they were punishing me instead. It will go away, Hermione. After a while it will always go away. Just remember that. You won't always want him like you do now." She walked into the room and Hermione slowly closed the suitcase.

"I certainly hope so because this is just insane." She rubbed her forehead, trying to send the images of him tumbling from her thoughts.

"Don't worry, Hermione. He is going through the exact same thing." Narcissa patted her shoulder and Hermione gave a snort of derision.

"As if he would want me." She gave a self-deprecating laugh and Narcissa chuckled.

"He wouldn't be coming here every single day if he didn't. He's got it just as bad as you. Look at it this way. You haven't had sex in years, neither has he. You both find each other attractive but keep repressing the urge to copulate. What did you think would happen when we pull you apart despite every one of your urges? They would magnify to a primal level. It's simple, you want him he wants you." Narcissa laughed and Hermione was hit full force of her logic.

"You're right. It started out that I wanted him because I could never have him and the more I repressed the urges to snog him senseless the more powerful the urge became. I never noticed it until you just said that. Then being separated from him made the urges grow tenfold. Oh you guys are just cruel." She glared at the older woman who gave a her a trademark Slytherin smirk.

"What can I say? We are used to manipulating people to get what we want." With that Narcissa left her to her thoughts.

"What in the world did she mean by that?" She thought little about it as she went back to packing her belongings. Item after item that reminded her of her marriage disappeared into her suitcase. She felt tears in her eyes and she gave a sniffle. It felt like she was just trying to shut that part of her life out. She didn't want to feel like that, in fact she didn't want to feel like a failure at the marriage. She knew she had fulfilled both the Life Debt and the contract but she still felt like a failure. She was failing Scorpius and for some reasons he felt like she was failing Draco. Tears slid down her cheeks and she tried her best to stifle sobs. She gave up and curled up on the bed and sobbed out her sorrow.

Narcissa and Lucius stood outside her bedroom with identical frowns.

"Let's hope they both take a good look at each other before they hurt themselves even worse." Narcissa grasped Lucius' hand.

"I feel terrible for doing this in all honesty. I didn't want to give Draco another reason to hate me." Lucius shook his head and pulled Narcissa away from the door. "But it must be done. Is Miss Snape ready with her portion?" He looked Narcissa who nodded.

"I kind of feel bad for doing it to them like this. I mean couldn't we just tell them they are in love. We don't have to do… you know, this." Her blue eyes looked up at him and Lucius kissed her softly.

"We are giving them what they both want. They will not fault us for our meddling." He stroked her cheek feeling his guilt subside slightly. It was wrong to mess with their lives, it was wrong to spring a trap on them but ever since he had woken up, all her could think of was to make his son and Hermione as happy as they could possibly be and that was to make them realize what they can have by giving it to them while separated. "It will all work, Narcissa. Everyone knows their job and they will do it to the best of their abilities." He watched as Narcissa nodded.

"You are right. We have nothing to fear. We will get what we want just as they will get what they want." She sighed and leaned closer to him. "Have I told you how much I love you when you scheme?" He chuckled and rubbed his nose against hers before taking off his oxygen mask and leaning heavily against his cane.

"A hundred times a day but I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing it." He kissed her and Narcissa sighed happily.

"I'm happy you are now with me, for no matter how long it might be." He leaned her head against his shoulder and Lucius coughed and carefully put on his mask.

"I know, Narcissa. I know."

New Year's Eve

There was nothing like getting smashed on New Year's Eve. Hermione downed her third drink and tried to blink her world into focus. It was three minutes to midnight as she stumbled over to get another drink. She was lucky she wasn't a loud drunk. All that happened other was she got a red face, stumbled and said things that were on her mind that she would think twice about saying sober. Other than that, she was a quiet drunk. Isabel bumped into her nearly spilling her drink. Hermione sighed and looked at her friend.

"Hey, quite the little party isn't it?" Her black eyes were amused and Hermione shrugged.

"It will be when I get completely smashed. My last day as a married woman ends in two minutes and I barely have a numbing sensation." She took a large swallow of her rather fruity alcoholic drink and Isabel chuckled.

"Don't. You shouldn't be drunk when you shag that delightfully sexy husband of yours." She bumped Hermione with her hip. Hermione burst into laughter.

"Being drunk is the only thing that will make it so I will. I'm not just the kind of person to divorce someone then sleep with them. Its backwards in my opinion." Hermione looked at her ring with a sigh. "I just don't want to do that." Isabel snorted in laughter.

"Your logical opinions have no grounds when primal urges take hold. Just let your mind grow silent and let your body take you for a ride." She winked and pointed to George. "What do you think I do when my insecurities tell me he's going to leave me? I tell them to shut up and go and shag his brains out. It makes me realize that anyone who enjoys sex with me that much will probably never leave me." Hermione was drunk enough not to be embarrassed.

"I lived with it for a week. I don't think you two will ever leave each other." As quickly as she finished the last one she drank the rest of her drink. "Ten seconds to d-day." She listened at the others counted down and Isabel pressed a vial into her hand.

"Drink this when Lucius says too." With that she went to jump on George for a pre-new year kiss. Hermione looked at it with a frown. She opened it and sniffed. It smelled like a simple sober-up potion but it was laced with something else. She trusted Isabel but she wanted to know what was in it.

"Five, four, three, two, one, Happy New Year!" The crowd shouted in unison and Hermione wanted to cover her ears with her hands. A warm hand touched her shoulder and she looked up. Lucius gave her a single nod before walking away. She frowned and looked at the vial. Hermione bit her lip and debated internally. Her drunk mind stated that Isabel wouldn't do anything to hurt her and her other drunk mind stated that it agreed. She flipped the top and downed it. It was definitely a sober-up but it was laced with a lust potion and something else she couldn't name. Hermione sighed.

"Of course she would. A lust potion because she wants me to get laid." Hermione bit her lip against the feeling of warm tingles spreading through her body. "That's kind of powerful, Isabel. Half the dose would have been sufficient." She rolled her eyes and looked at the people kissing and she slowly backed out of the room. She knew she had done something she shouldn't have when the familiar feeling of being transported hit her. Or perhaps it was something she was supposed to do. She had no clue as she landed. She brushed down her dress and looked around. It was the Manor study. She frowned as she looked around. Why in the world would she be sent here? Someone landed behind her and she whirled around to see Draco brushing off his clothes and muttering to himself.

"Push me through the door. Of course you would and why in the world am I here?" Their eyes met and she looked at him in shock and he seemed just as shocked as she was. His gaze sent electricity through her veins and she repressed a moan. Did Isabel need to make the lust potion that potent?

"You look a bit flushed, are you alright?" His voice made her stomach drop.

"No, Isabel decided I needed a boost. So, now that you are free from marriage again, what do you plan to do?" She turned her face away from his and sat on the couch. It was really rude of Isabel to do this to her. Now she had to sleep with him.

"I'm probably going to end my long term self-imposed celibacy with some drunk broad at a bar." He sat next to her on the couch and Hermione thought she could feel the heat radiating off of him.

"Really." She closed her eyes briefly and tried to focus on what he was saying.

"Have to burn off this sexual frustration somehow." His grey eyes looked at her carefully and Hermione felt a blush go up her face.

"I can understand that but a drunk woman you don't know? Think of the diseases." She ran her hand through her hair and bit her lip.

"Opposed to a woman I know? You do have a valid point about the diseases." He reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear and Hermione fairly purred. She looked at him with a faint smirk.

"Why not a woman you know? At least you would know what you would be getting." Hermione let her eyelids drop as he sighed. This was ridiculous. She was trying to be logical in this, not acting like a horny fourth year.

"Another valid point but one question. Are you hitting on me?" He chuckled and Hermione looked at him and tilted her chin up.

"And if I was?" She knew there was a distinct challenge in her voice and he smirked.

"Well then I would have to kiss you." He looked at her with hooded eyes and Hermione shook her head and stood up.

"Honesty, Malfoy. It is a rather nice trait." She walked over to the desk and looked at the papers strew across it.

"I think I've told you I never lie." He looked her in a rather predatory way. She felt like prey when he looked at her like that.

"What else would you be doing? I believe kissing me would be at the bottom of your 'to do' list as of today." She looked up at him and slowly walked around the desk so it sat in between them as he stood up.

"I think I should put you on the top of my 'to do' list." Draco ran his hand through his hair and smirked at her with heated eyes and she felt another blush crawl up her cheeks as a shiver ran down her spine.

"Must be a short list." Hermione looked at him as she moved over to the firewhiskey decanter. She deftly spun the crystal stopper and it opened. Her mouth was dry and she needed something to think to do before she attacked him.

"Short or not, you are on top." He walked over and picked up a glass. He gave her a small nod and she poured him a glass.

"I'm on top am I?" She smirked as she filled up another glass.

"Yes you are." He took a drink and Hermione's eyes followed his action in an almost hungry manner. She slowly brought her own glass to her lips and took a sip.

"I like being on top." She smirked at the look he got on his face.

"Flirting again, Granger?" He set his glass down and Hermione felt her heart jump up in her chest.

"If I was, would you kiss me?" She took another sip of the firewhiskey and he reached over with a shake of his head.

"No, first I'd put my hand here." One warm hand gripped her waist. "Pull you close, then I would kiss you." And he did. Hermione sighed happily. He tasted of firewhiskey and desire. He broke it off slowly.

"Among other things." He smirked at her and Hermione looked at him through hooded eyes.

"What things?" He tightened his grip on her waist and brought her closer.

"There's this." His lips brushed against her throat and Hermione felt her breath hitch in her chest. "And this." His hand descended to rest on her bum and Hermione smiled.

"Let's not forget this." He pushed her dress strap off her shoulder and nipped at the bare flesh. "Not to mention this." He brought his other hand up to cup her breast. Hermione finally found her voice in the swirling mess that was her brain.

"I kind of like that." She tilted her head to the side as his lips travelled back up her neck.

"Hmmmmm, so do I." His voice vibrated against her skin and Hermione tried to force herself to think rationally amid the chaos that was now her body.

"This doesn't change anything. I still have to lea-" She was cut short as he kissed her again.

"Hush, I'm busy." His silver eyes looked at her with a look of pure lust and Hermione shivered as he pushed the other strap of her dress off. "We can talk later."

"But-" She couldn't even find the energy to frown as he kissed again.

"No, we are both under the influence of a lust potion your friend made. There is no way that we can stop this." He gave her a look of understanding and Hermione clung to him.

"Thank the gods." She then kissed him and fumbled with the buttons of his shirt. His hands tangled in her curls and Hermione didn't mind that his arms were practically crushing her as she gave into the effects of the potion coursing through her veins. They used precautions, of course they did and Draco did as he promised Weasley and used her scars as a map across her body.

Draco awoke to Hermione sitting up. His eyes cracked open as she sighed and ran a hand through her completely tangled curls.

"I know you are awake." She looked at him and Draco opened his eyes.

"I hope you don't regret it. It was so enjoyable I know I don't." He smirked slightly as she smiled and reached down and grabbed his shirt before putting it on. "That's mine." She threw him a look and Draco gave her a full on smirk.

"I realize that but my dress is somewhere over there." She gesture dot the corner while she did up a few of the buttons, hiding her body from his view. She stood up and walked toward the lamp where her bra hung.

"Alright." He leaned over and grabbed his boxers and pulled them on. He stood up and went in search of their clothes as well.

"To answer you. No, I don't' regret it. It was quite the goodbye I must say." She smirked at him and Draco threw her dress at her. She caught it deftly and shook it out. "Thank you." He gave her a nod as he found his pants thrown into the sooty fireplace.

"Great." He picked them up looked around for his wand.

"Scourgify." The pants were clean once again and he looked over at Hermione, who tossed him his wand. He caught it with a nod.

"Thank you." He slipped the black dress pants on and did them up and looked at her as she slipped her dress up under his shirt.

"You should go before Scorpius wakes up." He regretted the words the instant they came up but she just nodded in agreement to his surprise.

"Yah, I should." She quickly unbuttoned his shirt and walked over to give it to him. "I respect you as a person and I hope that we can maintain our civil relationship despite our separation." He could tell it took her a lot to say it so he nodded.

"I hope so too." He kissed her forehead and held her against him. He let her go a bit reluctantly and she smiled at him softly.

"If it makes you feel any better, you are free to do what you wish." She turned on her heel and apperated away. Draco scowled at the spot she stood and picked up the whiskey decanter and threw it across the room where is shattered against the fireplace stone work.

"No, it doesn't make me feel any better. The thing would make me feel better is having you as my wife." The words hung in the empty air and Draco felt hot rage bubble up in him and he set about destroying the study.

Hermione arrived at the villa with a small sob. She quickly zipped up her bag and left the note she had written the day before on her nightstand. She couldn't face them, she knew she would back out if she looked at Narcissa. They had become her parents, even Lucius provided the stern yet understanding figure of a father. These people where her family and she was forced to leave them. It almost hurt more than leaving Draco. She felt a sharp pain clench in her abdomen and she doubled over with a gasp but as quickly as it was there it disappeared. Hermione ignored it because she had to go to Italy. Blaise's parents were waiting for her. She needed to think straight. She had to calm down and think. She wiped her eyes and sniffed back tears.

"Alright, I need to apperated to the outer edge of London. There is my portkey and that will take me to Paris. From there I take three floo trips across France and then finally I have a portkey to Italy before apperating to their vineyard." Keeping her plan in her mind she went to apperate when Magi popped in.

"Where is Missus going?" The elf looked terrified and Hermione took in a deep breath to hold back sobs.

"I want you to look after Scorpius and Draco for me. I'm leaving and I want them taken care of. Make sure Draco eats his lunch every day and make sure he's not drinking too much." She sniffled before dropping to her knees and hugging the elf. "Make sure the other elves do their jobs and keep Draco and Scorpius safe for me. Take this too him as well." She released her and took off her wedding ring and the action felt just wrong. Magi had big tears creeping down her wrinkled cheeks as she took it.

"Magi understands Missus's orders. Magi will do what the Missus says. Magi will miss you, will Missus miss Magi?" The little elf twisted her apron in her fists and Hermione nodded.

"Yes, I will Magi. I will miss you a lot. Please go. I need to leave." Hermione stood up and closed her eyes against the tears. She thought she had no more tears left. The elf quickly hugged her legs.

"Magi is going to miss you too!" Magi was bawling and Hermione pushed her away by the shoulders.

"Magi, I need you to keep my family safe. That is an order. Go." She released the elf who popped away. Hermione sat on the bed and gave a sob. She fought back the others and before she could change her mind she apperated away.

The sun was setting when Hermione reached Italy. Their vineyard was beautiful but she was too exhausted to care. Madeline rushed out of the rather large house and clapped her hand sin glee.

"Hermione! We are so glad you could make it. Just leave you bags here and the elves will bring them inside. Please, you must be tired you poor bambini! Come, come. We will get you settled in and you can sleep." The woman's energy did nothing but make Hermione feel worse as she sat her bags down and an elf retrieved them. She wanted to cry and never stop. This was annoying and she believed she wanted to get on with her life but there was no such luck. She still wanted those blonde haired grey eyed babies, she wanted Scorpius as her son and she wanted Draco as her husband but it was official that she would never get them. "Luca is checking the vineyard and I know you must want to sleep. Blaise and Luna will be returning to their manor in a few days but don't worry I'll keep you busy until then." Hermione gave a small nod. She just wanted to sleep forever and forget this heart ache. She followed the woman into the large house. It was beautiful, there was no doubt about it but Hermione's eyes just slid over everything.

Madaline chattered on and Hermione found herself not listening, she knew it was rude but she honestly couldn't help it. She was exhausted, heartbroken and it was made worse by the mind-blowing night she just had with Draco. The dark skinned woman pushed open a door to the bedroom and the only thing Hermione noticed was the bed.

"I hate to be rude but I would like to sleep, if you do not mind." She gave Madaline a small smile and the woman shook her head.

"I know how exhausted you must be. Please it is rude of me to keep you awake. I will see you in the morning." Madaline backed out of the room and shut the door, shutting Hermione away from the rest of the house. She didn't bother with changing, she just kicked off her shoes and slipped into the bed. Within moments she was asleep.

"Do you think the potion took?" Madaline looked at her husband and Luca smiled.

"If it didn't she wouldn't be this tired. We all know how the potion works. It is tradition after all." He kissed the top of Madaline's head. The woman sighed.

"You are right. She will realize what it is in a few weeks and then she has no choice. We do not accept that in our culture. Well, we would accept Hermione but she would never be accepted by anyone else if this plan fails. This was a cruel plan indeed. A risky one." She shook her head and Luca kissed her cheek.

"Ahh but the bambinas love each other. They are being foolish. Sometimes we must be cruel and take risks when dealing with foolishness." He gave her a tender hug and she smiled.

"You are right, Luca. You are right." She snuggled into his chest with a sigh. As cruel as it was they would thank them for it. The foolish bambinas needed to learn a lesson about love and being selfish. "When dealing with love, one must be selfish to get what they want." She rested her chin on Luca's chest and smiled at him as he nodded.

"That is the first rule." He scooped her into his arm and she giggled. They may have grandchildren and may be older but that didn't mean they weren't in love and that they weren't still passionate about each other.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! I hate/love this chapter but it gets better from here on in.