When Hermione and Draco entered the dining room, they were immediately besieged by their mother's who were ooohing and aaahhing over Hermione's betrothal piece. When Narcissa had seen it, she knew immediately what it signified and she embraced Hermione fully, telling her how thrilled she was for her and Draco. It was some moments later when their both their father's entered the room, Lucius walking straight over to Hermione and placed a kiss on the witch's cheek in welcome while the Dark Lord watched the beaming happiness radiating from his daughter's face. If he hadn't just witnessed the level of devotion from her intended himself, he would have been reluctant to offer his congratulations, but seeing the love Draco held for his daughter, he knew the boy would be faithful and protect Hermione with his life. He couldn't ask for more than that. Draco respected her, and respected Marlene and him as her parents. Draco had no way of knowing that Lucius and he had witnessed the entire exchange upstairs. He might have killed the boy if he'd acted on his baser urges. The hypocrisy of his thoughts were not lost on him, but he really couldn't be bothered by such trivialities.

Walking over to his daughter he lifted her chin and met her eyes. The joy he saw there caught his breath momentarily. He was unused to such happiness. "I see that young Draco has picked a more than suitable betrothal piece for you."

Hermione touched the pendant and beamed. "Yes Father, it is exquisite, is it not?"

Tom tilted his head in contemplation before he placed a soft kiss on Hermione's forehead, to the astonishment of everyone within the room, including his own child. "The jewelry only enhances what is already present Daughter. It is doubtful there exists a piece of jewelry more lovely than you look at this moment. I am happy for you."

Hermione's breath hitched and without thinking of the consequences of her actions, she enveloped her father in a hug, which he eventually returned a bit awkwardly. "Thank you Daddy." Hermione whispered in Tom's ear so only he could hear.

Releasing his daughter, Voldemort turned towards her intended and offered his hand. Draco took it proudly, seeing the looks of approval from his parents faces and Hermione's mother too. "I was going to have a talk with you about respecting my daughter in the manner in which she deserves, but after witnessing your conversation upstairs, I must say I am impressed with your devotion to Hermione. I don't think I need to warn you what will happen if you fail to live up to the vow you made."

Hermione gasped indignantly, while her father smirked and Lucius chuckled in solidarity. Draco, to his credit, didn't flinch, he just raised his chin proudly and then bowed his head respectfully. "I would rather die than break my vow. Hermione is precious to me beyond words. I fully intend to spend the rest of my life showing her everyday how much."

Marlene smiled and moved next to Tom, placing her hand on his arm. Addressing Draco she smiled warmly. "Of that there can be no doubt, Draco. Sometimes we have to go through the bad to get to the good. You both have learned valuable lessons over these last five years. Things won't always be easy, but do try and give each other the benefit of the doubt. Misunderstandings arise, anger and hurt feelings will happen...just when it does, do not direct those negative feelings at each other. Words said in anger cannot be taken back. Learn about each other and accept each other's flaws as well as strengths. Try not to be judgmental with each other, there's enough of that in the world. And remember to value the trust you have in each other, do not compromise it for any reason. You will have children, Magic willing, and they will enrich your lives, but they will find their own paths and their own relationships. What you two have is yours alone, so attend to it daily. Don't take each other for granted."

Tom gazed down at his witch with pride, while Narcissa and Lucius nodded in agreement. Hermione hugged her mother tightly. "Thanks mum."

Marlene kissed her daughter's forehead. "Of course my darling." Draco bowed and kissed Marlene's hand. "Thank you Lady McKinnon for your sage wisdom. We will take it to heart."

"Call me Marlene, Draco. At least in private. We are going to be family after all."

Draco nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Marlene."

Narcissa came over and fussed over her son, to the amusement of everyone present. The six finally sat down and ate a lovely dinner. Discussion was had over summer plans, and Hermione thanked Narcissa and Lucius profusely for allowing her to stay in their home. Narcissa waved off such concerns, and told her that their home was hers, and she was always welcome to stay.

When dinner concluded, Draco helped Hermione gather the rest of her belongings and they made their way into the floo and out at McKinnon Manor. Draco's gaze widened in appreciation at the size of the library. While not as grand or imposing as Malfoy Manor's library, it was large, comfortable and had many rare editions of old magical texts. Glancing over at the shelves, Draco noticed some rare texts on sex magic that he had never seen before. Very interesting.

When Hermione came over to see what Draco was looking at so intently, her eyes widened at the numerous texts on sex magic. Hermione looked at her intended who just smirked knowingly at her. "We may need to do some research at a later date, my love."

Hermione blushed prettily, and bit her lip coyly causing Draco to growl. "You know how much I crave research. I may need to study these texts thoroughly." Hermione grinned impishly.

Draco grabbed her and kissed her soundly. "Not without me, you don't." Hermione laughed merrily, and the two teenagers walked out of the library to find Hermione's suite of rooms.

The remaining days of summer passed by swiftly, with Hermione and Draco ensconced in their own little bubble. When mid-August came, the Daily Prophet had announced that the new Headmaster of Hogwarts was to be none other than Professor Snape. Due to his new responsibilities, Severus had requested his old Potions Master, Horace Slughorn, come and teach Potions again, which the rotund man eagerly agreed to.

Hermione had spent a few days with Daphne over the summer, and the girl had been excited to meet Hermione's mother. Daphne told Hermione all about the uproar in Slytherin House when news had leaked out about her true parentage. Her new blood status notwithstanding, the whispers had begun about her real father's identity. Pansy, Millicent and Tracey Davis had shown up at Daphne's demanding to know if the rumors were true. When Daphne didn't deny it, Pansy had fainted straight off. Tracey and Millicent had looked ill. But the worst, was Marcus Flint. The man had been apopoletic when Pucey and Montague had told him whom Hermione Granger mudblood really was. He had written a long letter of apology and gave it to Daphne to pass along. Hermione had read the letter then burned it immediately, much to Daphne's and Draco's amusement.

Daphne had been excited for her friend when she saw the betrothal piece sitting on Hermione's chest with pride. Hermione had shared with Daphne the story behind the necklace and how treasured it made her feel. Daphne told Hermione all about Draco's obsession fourth year, and how hard it had been for the blonde wizard to see Hermione with Krum. The two girls had commiserated over how the new year would go, and Daphne told her that news of her betrothal to Draco was not common knowledge yet, but when it was, the whole of witches at Hogwarts would be in an absolute uproar. Hermione couldn't help but smirk in self-satisfaction.

When Draco had returned home from visiting Blaise in Italy, a few days before the start of term, he'd made his way directly to McKinnon Manor and had showered his intended with gifts of Italian perfume, sweets and trinkets. But the most thoughtful gift was a first edition book of poetry by Torquato Tasso, and Draco had bookmarked one of the pages, with a note inside that said simply..."consume, destroy me softly...life of my life you will always be." Hermione had kissed him fervently, which Draco reciprocated with equal ardor...she could really get used to this whole courting thing.

When Marlene had taken the two girls to Diagon Alley to get their school supplies, dress robes, and uniforms, Hermione had been surprised to see Harry Potter and his Godfather Sirius Black in Madam Malkin's. Harry was being fitted for new robes, and had been made the new Captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team. He had grown a few inches and looked happier than Hermione could ever remember seeing him. His Godfather had cleaned up nicely too. Sirius Black was a handsome wizard and he was currently talking quietly with her mother while the two students discussed their upcoming classes for sixth year. Harry had been gracious in congratulating Hermione on finding her family, and had thanked her again for helping him get his Godfather released from Azkaban. He also apologized for not writing over the summer, but he and Sirius had been traveling the world and Harry had been so excited discussing all the places he'd visited. When Daphne had come into the shop after stopping by Gringotts, Harry had blushed profusely as Hermione formally introduced him to Daphne. Harry had stumbled through while Daphne just smiled sweetly, and in the end, Harry had taken Daphne's hand and placed a kiss over her knuckles, much to the amusement of his Godfather who had been watching the scene from afar.

Sirius had eventually come over and Marlene formally introduced Hermione to him. He bowed, placed a kiss on her knuckles and thanked her for helping his Godson and himself the past year. Hermione accepted with grace and told Lord Black that she was just doing the right thing. Sirius seemed to accept this and asked Marlene if she would be free to meet with himself, Remus and a few others from school after they'd dropped the kids off on the Hogwarts Express. Marlene accepted easily, and smiled in parting as she watched Harry stare at Daphne for a few more moments before Sirius dragged him out of the shop.

Hermione's mother had taken her to a lingerie shop at the end of Diagon Alley the next day, and together they picked out some provocative ensembles for Hermione. Marlene had smirked knowingly at her daughter when she picked out a see through Slytherin green Demi-bra with matching thong. Marlene allowed Hermione to peruse the back area of the shop, which had some positively racy things. Marlene quirked an eyebrow when her daughter fingered a black leather set that was positively scandalous.

Hermione looked at her mother and sighed. "Mum, can I ask you a question?" Marlene nodded, pretty certain she knew where this was going. "How old were you when you lost your virginity?"

Marlene sighed, not sure how much of her sordid past she should reveal to her daughter, although she had made herself a promise that she would never lie to Hermione. "Fifteen." Marlene said softly, looking at her daughter's surprised face.

Hermione nodded in thought. "Dad?"

Marlene shook her head and smiled. "Sirius."

At this Hermione laughed in shock. "Really? How did that happen?"

Marlene smirked wickedly. "I suppose it happened because I was trying to get your father's attention. Which didn't go exactly how I'd planned, but he did come around eventually."

Hermione considered her mother for a moment. "He's a Dominant, right...Dad?"

Now Marlene was surprised, but she really shouldn't been, knowing how brilliant her daughter was. "Yes, your father is what one would call a Dominant. And if he knew we were having this conversation I'm sure he'd punish me soundly." Which caused both women to chuckle at how true that statement was. "Hermione, the McKinnon family has some interesting history. I'm sure by now you took notice of the ancient texts in the library on sex magic?"

Hermione nodded. "Draco noticed them. He thought they would make for good research material for after we are married."

Marlene nodded thoughtfully. "Sex magic, in the right circumstances can deepen an already strong existing bond between a couple. Consensual sex of any kind can be wonderful, while some may consider such proclivities to be deviant or depraved, between two consenting adults it can serve to enhance an existing bond. Your father and I have such a bond, he is my Dominant and I am his Submissive. Your father's proclivities are much darker in nature, which align with my own. I suppose I am what Muggle psychology might term a 'nymphomanic' but the term is far too simplistic to describe sex magic. When I was thirteen, I had been identified by my mother as a succubus." Hermione's eyes widened at the admission. "The McKinnon female line has had succubi born within it, every few generations. The progenitor Lilith, was the first of our line. A succubus isn't exactly what folklore suggests she is, although there are several variations. Sex is a basic need, much like sleeping, breathing and in our case...magic. Your father realized early in our acquaintance that there was something different about me, but he didn't understand it fully until I showed him my memories. The darkness within me calls to him and vice versa. With him I am grounded and not completely a slave to my desires. Before he disappeared your father marked me as his, but this prevented me from achieving release with another man or wizard. For fifteen years I had to make due with the gift he left me, but I knew he wasn't gone. I would have felt it by the severing of our bond if he had truly been vanquished that Halloween night. I know now why that was, but back then I didn't fully comprehend it."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, shocked but not truly surprised at her mother's confession. "Were you in a lot of pain?"

Marlene sighed. "Yes, but not in the traditional sense. I can't explain it except to say it's almost like a part of me was missing. The constant unfulfilled ache was agony some days. I missed Tom, and even if I had been able to have sex with someone else during that time, it is doubtful that the ache would have subsided in any meaningful way."

"He seems much more settled since you've returned...Dad." Marlene smiled and nodded.

"I think so, although we are still navigating our way through all this. Being a father is hard for him. He doesn't love...your father, not in the traditional sense. He feels obligation, responsibility and I do believe some level of caring...but because of his own upbringing, which is his story to tell, not mine...and my nature, neither one of us are quite capable of feeling the kind of love you and Draco feel for each other."

"Is it enough, Mum?" Marlene wouldn't insult Hermione's intelligence by not understanding what she was asking.

"Yes, when I am with you Father it is the only time the ache goes away fully and I can feel sated and content. It doesn't really happen otherwise."

Hermione sighed and continued to browse the shelves. "In fourth year, before Draco admitted he loved me, I saw him having sex with a seventh year girl. I was painfully aroused at the sight and it was the catalyst for making myself come the first time. I wished I had been her. I am still a virgin, but it's getting increasingly more difficult to shut down my desires where he is concerned. I dream of him constantly, and they're not sweet, romantic dreams...". Hermione's words fell off as she looked to her mother questioningly.

"You are both mine and your father's, Hermione. You have the same basic nature in you, except you can love. Your sex life with Draco will be blessed and more satisfying than your wildest dreams because of the soul bond you two share. My guess...is that young man will be willing to engage in any kind of consensual sex you wish, you just need to be honest with him about what you need. Don't ever be embarrassed by your curiosity, or your desires. Relish in them, feed them and let Draco feed them with you. He won't know what to do with you once you reach the height of your sexual powers. He will be one happy wizard."

Hermione giggled and held up the black leather outfit, which caused Marlene to smirk and nod. The two women picked out a few more items and left the store arm in arm. It had been the best of days for both mother and daughter.