A/N: I apologize for the delay of this chapter, but I just wasn't sure how to proceed with their... ahem, coupling. But I finally found a way while still keeping it relatively clean. XD Also, this chapter is pretty short but the length of the next one makes up for it. :P I'm going on vacation (yay NYC) on Wednesday, so it's been edited to the nth degree, so it can be ready to post even if I'm not home.

ETA: Chapter isn't quite as short anymore, added some things. Hopefully you'll enjoy the changes.

Disclaimer: Not mine, most unfortunately.

After what felt like a long but satisfying day, Draco and Hermione finally took their return Portkey back to his flat. To Draco's complete delight, Hermione had been a raging flirt throughout their date. He felt special (as much as it hurt to use such a word) because not once had he seen her behave that way with anyone else. It definitely boosted his ego that the great Hermione Granger found him, Draco Malfoy, worthy of her coquettish attentions.

Not to mention that she'd been ogled everywhere they went, making him both proud (to have such an outstanding woman such as she on his arm because Malfoys always did have the best) and mildly annoyed but couldn't quite help the pleasant, if mildly smug, flutter in his stomach when he realized that she only had eyes for him.

It was that bloody dress! I've never had such an urge to rip a dress off a woman yet wanting her to remain suitably clothed. Of course it would only happen with her.

Once they were back at his flat, Draco inquired whether she'd like a glass of wine and she nodded, giving him a warm smile. He served them some rose wine and handed her the glass, belatedly noticing that she had yet to take a seat. She watched him raptly as she drank and Draco felt a though a group of tiny golden snitches had broken loose in his stomach.

Absolutely ridiculous… but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love how she makes me feel. Like night and day, compared to sixth year... but better not think of that now. I don't want to spoil whatever is happening between us.

He sat down gracefully, sinking into the comfortable cushions of the sofa and motioned for Hermione to sit down. She gave him a coy look and sat down slowly, probably not wanting to spill wine on her dress. Meanwhile, Draco couldn't keep his eyes off the damned slit of her dress. She was so tantalizingly close that he could even get a waft of her fresh and floral perfume; it tantalized every last one of his senses.

He cleared his throat and tore his eyes from the pale but toned flesh of her thigh, settling them on her face instead. Draco was taken aback by the heat in her dark brown eyes and he swallowed thickly, feeling his heart stutter at the sight.

"So… did you have a good time?" he asked her, feeling a quavery sort of energy run through his body.

"I did! Thank you so much, Draco," she beamed at him. "And without a peep of complaint from me."

He smiled and took a drink of wine to steady himself.

"See? It wasn't so difficult, was it?" he teased, shifting his position so he could face her.

"You'll find that I can be rather... flexible... when I put my mind to it," she told him softly, eyes burning into his own.

Draco bit back a moan and watched as she shifted her body to face him. He idly wondered whether she was wearing any knickers and took a drink of wine to distract him from the possibility of her not having any on.

Not like you would do anything about it… right? Oh, hell... I'm trying to talk myself out of taking things further with her.

"That's… good. You need to get used to getting spoiled because there isn't one moment you won't be by my side," he smiled at her, desperately hoping that he didn't look as distracted as he felt.

"Only by your side?" she cocked her head, a corner of her lip curling up in a sly half a smile.

Merlin, where'd she learn to do that?

She took a sip of wine, suddenly looking as though her mind was miles away. Draco wondered what was going on in that brilliant brain of hers, trying to imagine what train of thought brought her to such distraction from their conversation. He was about to ask when she accidentally spilled wine on her dress. She let out a soft groan, watching as the white of her dress became stained with pink. Some had fallen on her hand and she licked the drops away, leaving Draco sorely tempted to lap the wine from her thigh. Instead, he shot to his feet and looked down at her.

"I still have those pajamas you transfigured, would you like for me to bring them to you?" he asked her, feeling strangely out of breath.

She looked up at him and gave him an inquisitive look, making Draco blush.

"I've thought of them as yours ever since you wore them," he mumbled, looking away.

She chuckled softly and reached her hand out to pat his side affectionately.

"That's very sweet of you," she smiled, flushing. "But yes, please. If it's not too much of a bother."

"You're never a bother," he replied earnestly, loving the way her cheeks grew rosy.

He took her hand and gave it a squeeze before leaning down to brush his lips against her knuckles. Draco looked into her eyes and saw them smolder, causing his blood to turn red-hot. He straightened up and let go of her hand, murmuring about going to fetch the pajamas for her.

Get a hold of yourself, Draco! She couldn't possibly find all that bumbling to be attractive… maybe it was a bad idea to bring her here. I should have taken her straight to her place. Merlin, what am I doing? She's making me feel like a fumbling fourth year!

He rummaged through his drawers until he finally found the pajamas. Draco lightly brushed his fingers against the cool silk and sighed softly.

I need to get her into the pajamas and then out of here before I do something I'll regret…

He walked back to his living room and almost jumped out of his skin when he saw Hermione leaning over her dress. There was nothing out of the ordinary in the situation, really. Had Draco been in her shoes, he would have hastened to take the garment off and clean it before the stain became permanent.

No, he was shocked because he received an eyeful of Hermione since she was swathed in lace; skimpy lingerie in the palest blue that left Draco with his mouth hanging open. She seemed to sense him and straightened when she noticed him, giving him a soft sort of smile.

"Had to clean it before the stain set," she shrugged, as if being scantily clad before him wasn't a big deal to her.

Despite the fact that Hermione's front was as equally lovely as the back, Draco's eyes fell on the scar that marred her torso. It was a little darker than her skin and ran from underneath her breast to her hip. He felt speechless, realizing that the scar was a remnant from Dolohov's curse. Hermione fidgeted, crossing her arms under her breasts and Draco chastised himself inwardly.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. It was abominably rude of me to stare. I just..." he trailed off helplessly, blushing.

"It's alright, Draco," she answered softly, stepping closer to him. "I'm sorry, too. I just... I guess I'm a little self-conscious about it, which is a little ridiculous because who isn't scarred nowadays? Besides, I'm lucky to be alive, so I wear it like a badge of honor. It's just a little discomforting because you're the second man whose seen it..."

Ah, I see now.

"Hermione, that doesn't take away from your beauty. If anything, it adds to it. It tells me that you're a courageous, loyal woman. I would never want you any other way because you're absolute perfection as you are."

Her cheeks grew rosy and she gave him a grateful smile. It then dawned on Draco that Hermione was standing before him, lace covering her most intimate parts, and felt his mouth run dry as he allowed himself to look at her in all her glory. He'd always imagined she had a delicious figure underneath her clothes, but his fantasy had nothing on just how good she really looked. The cherry on top was the fact that she still wore her heels, making her legs look even longer.

"Draco?" she asked softly, as if sensing the change in his demeanor.

"Hermione…" he whispered before quickly extending the pajamas out at her.

She gave him a smile that convened gratefulness and walked to him, the slow sway of her hips hypnotizing Draco. Hermione reached out for the pajamas, her fingers brushing his which sent a jolt of electricity down his spine.

"Thank you," she told him softly, looking deep into his eyes.

Her brown eyes shone brightly and Draco could see her desire for him as clear as day. He finally permitted himself to groan softly and closed his eyes, turning away from her.

"Draco?"

"You should probably change, Hermione… I don't trust myself to be around you looking like that," he spoke through gritted teeth.

"But I trust you," she told him simply.

He turned back to her and frowned slightly. She licked her lips and he followed the movement with his eyes, wanting nothing more than to do it to her himself... or to have her tongue running all over his body. Better yet, he wanted to run his all over her supple body, eager to discover her sensitive areas.

No, no… get a hold of yourself, Draco!

"I… don't deserve this," he choked out, gesturing at her body.

The lingerie had silver threaded all throughout it, adding to the prettiness of it. The straps of Hermione's bra were made of silk and Draco ran his gaze over her breasts, yearning nothing more than to reach out and run his fingertip along the swell of them. When he'd walked into the room he'd seen the thong; or rather, the scrap of lace that barely covered yet accented her pert arse.

But to have her so close and willing...

She put the pajamas to the side and Draco almost groaned again. Hermione reached out and brushed her fingers against the buttons of his vest. She skimmed them upwards slowly, leaving a pleasurable tingle in their wake. She'd been stroking the neck of his shirt when he took her hand, grasping it tightly. They looked into each other's eyes and Draco felt what was left of his resolve vanish. He brought her hand up to his lips, brushing them along the inner part of her wrist. Hermione shivered, to his utmost delight, and sighed his name so softly it sounded like a caress.

"Why?" he asked in a strangled voice.

"Because I want all of you, Draco. I think it's time we—"

"You don't know what you're saying," he groaned softly, closing his eyes.

"Don't make me seduce you," she threatened softly.

What's all this then? Was she truly so afraid I'd reject her?

"Oh, you'll find out I am more than willing," he chuckled wryly.

"So what's the problem, then?" she asked, sounding frustrated.

He opened his eyes and saw her frowning at him. He immediately brushed his finger against the crease between her eyebrows and saw the corners of her lips lift slightly.

"I've never thought I particularly deserved you, Hermione. You've always been far too good for me. But giving me this…" he said, motioning to her body.

"Draco," she said in a no nonsense tone, "I'm hardly a virgin."

He chuckled despite himself and loosened his grip on her hand; he didn't want to bruise her.

"I know, Hermione. Still, won't you try to see it from my point of view?" he pleaded quietly.

"Draco, why are you so intent on demonizing yourself?" she huffed. "Can't you see the man you've become has nothing to do with the boy you were years ago? It's time you start to forgive yourself, love. If you don't, you'll never be able to move on with your life."

Maybe it was because she called him 'love' or because she sounded like her heart was assaulted by the deepest of pains, but Draco crushed her against him in a fierce embrace. She immediately wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him tightly, as if to reassure him of the strength of her feelings for him. He closed his eyes and shuddered, holding her closer to him as her warmth seeped through his clothes and into his own body.

Draco felt something warm being pressed against his neck and nearly jumped out of Hermione's arms when he realized it was her lips. She glided them along his jaw and to his chin while Draco tried to hold himself together. Hermione unwrapped her arms from his waist and felt her begin to unbutton his vest deftly as Draco bit his lip, torn between desire and doing the honorable thing. She gently pried the garment off before tossing it onto his couch.

"Stop fighting yourself, Draco," she told him softly, brushing her lips against his ear. "Stop fighting me. Don't make me tie you up."

"Is that supposed to be a threat? If so, it's not a very good one. What if I like it?" he asked her cheekily, hoping it would mask his interest at the possibility of her binding him.

"Then I'll just make you watch me," she said in a breathy voice, nibbling on his earlobe.

He shivered and let out a soft whimper at the thought, turning his face until his lips met hers. She moved hers against his languidly until Draco held her chin, giving her a deep kiss.

That's it, I'm done for. There's no going back now.

She kissed him back excitedly, sliding her hands up his chest before gently gripping his shoulders. He splayed his hand out across the silken skin of her back, relishing the feel of it. She tasted of rose wine and passion and Draco found himself helplessly in love with the witch in his arms.

I never stood a chance of not loving her.

Hermione unbuttoned his shirt slowly, digging in her blunt fingernails into the exposed skin of his chest and Draco groaned. She nipped his bottom lip before laving it with her tongue and he found himself being ushered by her towards the direction of his bedroom. He chuckled inwardly, feeling mildly amused by her eagerness.

Not that I'm not looking forward to it myself. Merlin, I want it. I want her.

She pushed his shirt off his shoulders, discarding it somewhere in his hallway as her hands wandered across his chest. Draco's hand slid up her spine before tangling his fingers in her hair, which had turned back into her riotous mane of curls from the sleek style it'd been charmed.

Merlin knows why I ever made fun of her hair. I love it. I love her.

Hermione came to a complete stop when she touched the scar across his chest, pulling away to look at his face before focusing on his scar. His breath caught at the glazed look in her eyes and felt mildly disappointed when they began to clear.

"Is this...?"

"Yes."

"Stupid, stupid boy..." she muttered, lightly tracing its shape with her fingertips.

Draco shivered at the sensation, realizing Hermione was the first woman to touch it.

"This doesn't make you any less beautiful either, you know."

He closed his eyes lazily, enjoying the way her fingers felt against him. A different type of warmth caused him to snap his eyes back open and stared as Hermione trailed gentle kisses along it. He swallowed thickly as her head dipped lower before pressing one last kiss to the end of his scar, near his navel. His heart threatened to burst from his chest when she looked up at him, her brown eyes warm and revering.

He stared back at her, wanting to convey how much her actions meant to him before tugging her upright and pulling her into his bedroom. It felt rather chilly against his overly heated skin and pressed Hermione closer to him when she trembled in his arms at the lower temperature.

"You okay?" he muttered, dipping his head to press his forehead against hers.

"I'm good," she whispered back, unbuckling his belt and dropping it on the floor.

He gave her a tender kiss, loving the way she moaned his name.

This is so different from any other couplings I've had. It doesn't feel rushed or frantic despite my burning need for her. Could it be that it's different because I love her? This has never happened to me before... I wonder if it has with her. Merlin, I hope not.

But Draco became distracted by the sight of Hermione being bathed in moonlight. He'd left the curtains open and he pulled away from her, ever so slightly, admiring the flawlessness of her skin. Her lips were swollen and her dark eyes scorched with an intensity that left him breathless. He raised his hand, brushing the curve of her cheek with his thumb and smiled when she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. His heart swelled with love for her and pondered whether it would be a good time to let Hermione know how he felt... but decided against it.

For the moment. I can't put it off forever. Even if part of me is wary of letting someone in when I've been instructed since childhood into keeping people out. But she's Hermione, she's different.

He became distracted when she reached behind her to unhook her bra strap, dropping it to the floor as she wiggled her thong down her hips and gently kicking the garment away. Draco felt his mouth go dry at the sight before him; it'd been a long time since he'd seen a woman naked. But more than that, really, was the fact that Hermione wanted to further the intimacy between them and had chosen him of all people... it caused a flash of scorching desire to run through him.

Draco finally tore his eyes from her body and looked at her face, smirking at the sight of her half-lidded eyes as she took in his physique. Slowly, he reached for the button of his trousers and watched as Hermione's face reddened when he pushed them down. Once they were both equally unclothed, Draco watched as she watched him with wonder in her eyes and he'd be damned if it didn't turn him on.

Hermione reached out and Draco gasped as her fingers brushed against his skin, realizing he was in for a hell of a wondrous night.

As always, thank you so much for reading and your continued support. It's what keeps me going when I'm feeling tired of the story. But we're getting closer to the end! Have a lovely weekend, everybody. :)