Yet again I had woken up first, and as I lay on my bed, my head on Draco's chest, I thought back to the wonderful experience last night had been. I mean sure, we had done it before, but it felt more…special…last night. My body was still tingling from what Draco had done to me.

I was still naked under the covers, and I knew Draco was as well. I also knew he was having very pleasant dreams, if the noises he was making and the tent a bit lower down to my face was anything to go by. I smirked, lifting myself up slightly. "Morning," Draco said, his voice still groggy from the sleep he had just woke up from.

"Morning," I replied, holding the sheet to my chest and turning my head to him

"You good?" he asked, his eyes showing his concern

"Never been better," I smiled at him, "Good dream?"

"You were in it," he responded, as if it was the perfect answer. Which it was.

"We should get up," I mumbled, really not wanting to but knowing we needed to.

"Do we have to?" He pouted. I rolled my eyes and climbed out of bed, holding the sheet tightly to me as I made my way to the shower.

Three days after me and Draco first had sex; we had done it in just about every room in his wing. Draco had said that it was needed, we had to do it, that it was tradition. Who was I to argue with tradition? At the moment we were snuggled up together in his den, the love seat we were sitting on the perfect size for us. "Your mum will kill me if she knew I wasn't getting ready,"

"She probably knows. Knows everything, that woman."

"True, true."

"But she won't care."

"No?"

"She knows we don't have long. Have you contacted Potter?" I tensed, "Yes then."

"I...we need your help with this."

"Thought you might," I turned to him, taking his hands in mine, kissing his knuckles before placing them in my lap.

"We need to have a public break up. So there's no doubt to the rest of the school that we've split."

"Thought so," he said, defeated "You got a plan then?"

"I thought you could cheat on me?" It came out more of a question then I had wanted it to.

"Can I?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood

"No," I laughed

"No fun," I crawled into his lap, so I was straddling him and linked my hands behind his head.

"You really want to?" I asked, as he placed his hands on my waist.

"Maybe," I leaned in, and started kissing his neck

"Still?" I breathed into his ear

"Maybe," I kissed up his neck, along his jaw before planting my lips on his.

"Now?"

"Leaning towards no," I leaned in, pushing my whole body into his, he groaned.

"How about now?" I asked, grinding myself into him.

"God no," he moaned, pulling me back to his lips.

"Mine." He growled into my mouth.

"Excuse me?" A new voice inquired

"I hate this house," Draco growled, leaning his forehead against mine.

"Missy Cissy wants Missy Mia in Missy Mia's room. Now," The house elf disappeared.

"Hate," Draco mumbled as I climbed of his lap.

"I'll see you tonight," I told him, as I walked out the room.

"Shower," Was all Cissy said to me as I walked into my room. Although the look she gave me made me have the quickest shower that I had ever had. As soon as I was out I was being pushed into the seat of my vanity, still in my dressing gown. "I cannot believe you," She mumbled as she stood behind me, starting on my hair. "New Years is one of the biggest social events of the season. Everyone will be there. Everyone!" I sat quietly, listening to her rant. "And one of the main attractions is not even bothered!"

"I'm sorry. I just...me and Draco aren't going to get much time together."

"I know dear," She said, smiling at me through the mirror before putting her full concentration on getting me ready.

"Draco, stop slouching." Narcissa said, as we stood waiting for the first of our guests to arrive. We were standing at the bottom of the stairs, facing the door.

"Yes mother," Draco mumbled, before she turned her back to us and faced Lucius, who was standing at the end of the line, next to Narcissa, with Draco at the other end, and me in the middle.

"Stop winding your mother up!" I hissed, hitting him slightly.

"But it's so fun," He laughed, fiddling with his tie.

"I don't care. And stop fiddling," Draco raised one eyebrow at me, I rolled my eyes and sorted his tie out. "You haven't told me how good I look you know," I pouted, pretending to be upset.

Draco turned me so I was facing him, and placed his hands on my hips. "You look stunning," He said, staring into my eyes. I turned the same deep shade of red as my dress. Draco leaned in "You're perfect and you're mine," I shivered as his breath washed over me, both of us totally content just to stare into each other's eyes. His hands on my waist and my hands on his shoulders. I smiled softly at him, enjoying the moment.

Until it was ruined by the sound of a shutter and a blindingly bright light going off. "'You're perfect and you're mine' that will be the perfect headline!" An obnoxiously dressed Rita Skeeter screeched as she walked towards us, her quick-notes-quill on her left, and her photographer on her right. "Looking good as always Master Malfoy," She purred, stroking his tie. I raised my eyebrow at Draco over her head. He replied with a 'help me' look, I obliged.

"Miss Skeeter, welcome," I said, my voice and smile sickly sweet.

"Miss Snape. The second half of the most talked about couple in the wizarding community. I must say, your dress is simply amazing. We have to talk later, darling. A good old gossip," She said, as if I was her best friend.

"We must," I replied, before she moved onto Cissy.

The never ending line of people began then. Everyone was of some importance, everyone wearing the best jewels trying to impress.

My feet were dead by the time the last person was greeted, and I groaned, knowing that this was only the beginning. Draco offered me a smiled as he offered me his arm "Time to open with a dance," he said as we walked in. We joined Cissy and Lucius as they twirled around the dance floor, making our own way round. After one song couples began to joining us, and we took our leave, instead moving to talk to people on a more personal level.

Picking up they end of my floor length, blood red dress, the diamonds glittering in the soft lighting around the room, I clutched it in my hand as we weaved our way to the dance floor. Once there Draco wrapped me in his arms, and I rested my head on his chest, we rocked softly form side to side. "I'm going to miss this."

"Miss what?" I questioned

"Us," he replied "Just being," He sighed,

"It's peaceful," I mumbled into his chest "I wish we could stay like this forever."

"That would be idealistic," he muttered back. "Skeeter's on her way." He said, before grabbing my hand and pulling me of the dance floor, and to an abandoned balcony.

"These shoes may look good, but they were not built for comfort," I mumbled, leaning against the cool railings

"It seems you look too good," Draco mumbled, coming to stand behind me

"Oh?"

"I've hardly had you to myself all night. You're always being whisked off by some other man."

"But I always return," I said, leaning back into him.

"My father spoke to me while you were out,"

"Oh?"

"He wants us to draw up a marriage contract."

"Oh?" I said again. My heart clenched and a voice in my head fought its way to the front. Liar. It hissed at me. I knew instantly what It was talking about. I had to tell him, I knew I did, and I kept meaning to. But the right time never did come up. New year, new you. The voice said again.

"I was thinking that maybe we should?"

You don't deserve him. I know. You lie to him. I know. You have to tell him. I know.

"Draco-"

"I know it's soon, but it wouldn't have to be binding. It would just be security. Something we could get out of if we wanted, but something that meant no one else could separate us,"

"Draco, listen-"

"5!" Another voice shouted, this time a gold letter five appearing in the sky above us. The countdown had begun. "4!"

"Draco, I need-"

"3!"

"Mia, I-"

"2!"

"Draco, I lied-"

"1!"

"Mia I love you!" He shouted. I froze.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

"I love you to!" I cried, leaning up to him so I could kiss him. I loved him, how long had that been going on? People cheered from all around us, as I desperately clung to him. I had to do it now. Now or never.

When we pulled back I said "Can we go somewhere private?"

"Sure." Draco said, his voice husky, as he started pulling me to his den.

Once there Draco pushed me up against the wall, attacking my lips, and pressing himself to me

"Draco-"

"Yes baby girl?" he asked

"Draco, we need to talk," I panted, gripping his shoulders.

"Now?" He asked, nipping at my ear

"Yes." he tensed, and moved away

"Before you say anything," He began, pulling me to him and placing me in his lap. He stroked my hair and threaded my fingers through his "I know what I said about the contract may seem a bit...rash, but I love you. You are my life. I don't want anyone taking you from me," I felt myself begin to cry as he talked, how could I tell him now? "What did you wanna tell me?" He questioned

"Oh...yes that…I love you." I whimpered out. Draco laughed. "I thought it was going to be worse than that." He chuckled. I offered a very fake laugh and distracted him with a kiss.

Draco was facing away from me, fast asleep, his chest moving as he breathed. I moved his hair out of his face with my fingertips "I love you. And I know I should have told you earlier. And I am so sorry. You don't know how sorry I am. I never meant to hurt you. Sorry. I love you. Sorry. I'm Hermione Granger," I whispered, hating myself for my cowardice at not being able to tell him when he was conscious. I rolled over onto my back, and fell into my own sleep.

"Where did you go last night? Your mother and I had to make excuses for you,"

"I am sorry father. Mia and I needed to talk," I rolled over, listening to Draco and his father talk outside the door

"About?"

"The contract."

"Have you come to a decision?"

"Not yet."

"You should hurry up."

"I know," Draco sneered. I sat up, looking around Draco's room. I wrapped the sheet around me and stood. I walked over to Draco's wardrobe and grabbed one of his shirts, buttoning it up. It fell to around my mid-thigh and smelt of Draco. I smiled to myself, before going over to the bed, and making it to occupy the time.

Draco and Lucius' voices had disappeared half way through my bed making, leaving me to sit on the bed and look from something else to do "Mistress Cissy, wants you to have this," Gypsy said appearing on the floor in front of me. I could only see the tops of her ears as she placed an envelope and some magazines on me bed, before she disappeared again.

Dear Mia, The letter read

I would like you to know that I fully agree with what Draco is thinking. You have always, and will always be part of this family.

Anyway, as part of you soon to be duties as Lady Malfoy you will have to go through the magazines and newspaper to find anything that Draco might find of interest. And then tell him over breakfast.

No time like the present to get some practice in. I found making notes helps.

Happy New Year

Narcissa Malfoy.

With a sigh I accioed some parchment and started my task, letting myself fully sink into it.

Just about all the magazines were packed with tales of last night's ball. Draco and myself getting the front page of the Daily Prophet.

I took notes of everything Draco may find of interest. It was surprisingly fun, learning of all the gossip going on. I took note of the more important stuff going on as well, knowing that it may come in handy.

"You've been busy," Draco's voice made me jump

"Your mums got me in training," I replied, smiling at him. "For when I become Lady Malfoy."

"You sound like you've got your mind set."

"Well, if you don't want to...I thought...I just..."

"Its fine," He said, not moving towards me.

"According to father, I need to be seen courting you before we can take the next step,"

"But my mission?" I asked,

"Exactly," I sighed, falling backwards, letting my notes flutter around me.

"We're never going to get to be a proper couple are we?" I moaned

"Yeah." He said, collecting the papers with his wand and then coming to lye next to me. "We've got no secrets right?" Draco asked,

"Where's this coming from?" I asked, turning on my side to face him

"Just asking," He replied. I began to panic

"You've probably got secrets though," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"None that I wouldn't tell you if you asked."

"Same?" I squeaked

"So, if I asked you to tell me about your past, you'd tell me?" My voice seemed to have disappeared, so I nodded, my hands shaking "Go one then?"

"Now?" I asked, my voice quiet

"Yeah, now," He replied, getting into a more comfortable position. I stared at him, taking in the evil yet upset look that his eyes held. I felt my heart sink.

"You heard me."

"Finally clicked huh? Took you long enough," He sneered

"I'm sorry."

"I heard."

"I thought you were asleep."

"That makes it so much better," He said, his voice harsh. I sighed.

"What do you want me to say?" I asked Draco. He stood and turned to face me, I sat up on the bed.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wasn't allowed. And it's not exactly a time I like to think or talk about."

"Allowed?" He spat, completely ignoring how I ended the sentence. Although, I had whispered it.

"Draco, please, let's talk," He reached forward and dragged me of the bed, holding onto my forearms tightly.

"You left me! I thought you were dead!"

"We weren't together when I left," I argued, although it was weak

"You knew how I felt about you! I loved you!"

"And I love you!"

"If you love me, you wouldn't have lied to me."

"I wasn't allowed to tell you! I'm still not!"

"Then why tell me!" He shouted, shaking me hard

"I couldn't keep it up any more. I couldn't lie to you anymore."

"Because you love me right?" He spat.

"Right" I hissed through the pain his grip on my arms was causing me. Tears came to my eyes as I looked around the room, desperate not to look at him. He laughed.

"This is how it starts," I whispered more to myself to him. Although he heard it. Draco dropped me back onto the bed, and took a step back.

I waited for the rain of blows to come. I wondered whether he would be like the man I had called a dad and use anything he could get his hands on, or just use his hands. But they never came. Instead there was a whispered, "Oh Merlin," And then nothing.

I lay on my bed, turning onto my stomach and cried. I didn't bother getting up for lunch, or dinner. I didn't sleep either.

Draco didn't come and see me either.

I eventually got up the next day at around noon. They only reason I got up was for lunch, my stomach was complaining rather loudly, so I made myself presentable and made my way to lunch.

"Mia, darling, how have you been?" Cissy said as I entered the room. I smiled at her and went to my place. "How are you?"

"I've been feeling rather under the weather," I lied, not looking at Draco, who was sitting beside you.

"You should have called!" She exclaimed, looking at me with the look that only mothers can do

"A bit more rest and some good food and I'll feel better," I said,

"If you're sure dear." I nodded, and tucked into the garden salad that had been prepared for me.

"Why didn't you tell me Mia wasn't feeling well?" Cissy asked Draco.

"I didn't know. I've been working with father." Draco said, for the first time I looked at him, although it was only from the corner of my eye.

His whole body was tense, his face was emotionless and he wouldn't look at me. Cissy sighed.

"You two have argued," She said, and left. Literally, just stood up and left us. We both watched her leave, both shocked, both our mouths hanging open.

We sat, neither of us saying anything for a moment, as we got over what had just happened.

"Draco?" I whispered, tentatively, biting my lip, and bowing my head. I talked down into my lap, my fingers interlocked.

"No, Mia. Just no."

"We need to talk," I begged

"I need time to get my head round it. Round the lies."

"Draco, please."

"NO!" He shouted, making the same exit as his mother. I took a deep breath, allowing the tears to come to my eyes. I had messed up.

Leaving the rest of my food, I exited the room, and went back to my own room.