"I want to take things slow," Draco said softly as he watched Hermione watching the sky.

Hermione turned her head towards Draco and gave him a soft smile. "I do too." She sat up and cuddled the blanket against her. "To be honest I'm still trying to learn how to trust you."

Draco sat up as well and brushed a curl away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "I know that, and that's why I want to take things slow. I don't want to court you just yet, I want to you to know me fully and become comfortable with me. I want to know you fully. I just wanted to make it clear that I have intentions to court you one day– hopefully soon."

Hermione didn't say anything. She just smiled and leaned her head on Draco's shoulder.

"To be honest I've never dated anyone. You know that by now. I've never courted anyone either so pardon me if I get quite...lost. I only know what my upbringing expects in courtship rules, which by the way, is very archaic." He let out a nervous chuckle and Hermione felt her heart throb.

"There are no directions or guide on how to court someone or how to date. Everyone relationship is different. You just...take it day by day."

"Take it day by day. I could do that," he grinned.

Hermione bowed her head to hide her smile. This Draco Malfoy was the polar opposite from the one she's known growing up and she's quite enjoying getting to know him. And dare she say, she could clearly see herself falling for him, and she just might be on her way already.

"Don't hide your smile," he said lifting her chin with his finger. When she looked at him confusedly, he blushed and cleared his throat. "I quite like seeing you smile."

Hermione felt her cheeks heat. "I quite like yours too– when you do smile that is," she stuttered out at the end. At the way he averted his eyes, embarrassed, Hermione let out a soft giggle. They lied back down and continued star gazing, enjoying the comfortable silence and the warming presence of each other.

As Hermione stared at the sky she got the overwhelming feeling she had been here before in the exact same position. But that couldn't be right, this was the first time she brought someone here. As far as she could remember, she had been coming here alone. However, that feeling morphed into something akin to longing. As if she was missing something and her very heart was longing for it. That feeling wasn't persistent and a day-to-day feeling but sometimes she would feel a hint of longing or the extremity of it and it always bothered her because it crept out of nowhere or when she feels reminded of something familiar but she has no idea what of.

It had been happening since right before the war and she had been deducing it as to longing for her parents but deep down Hermione knew that while she'd always long for her parents, this was something else. Ever since Draco and the other Slytherins had reentered into her and her friend's lives, it had become a more present feeling. She couldn't shake the feeling something was deeply missing.

Draco noticed when Hermione's thoughts drifted elsewhere and worried she was going back to those dark times and he couldn't let that happen so he had taken it upon himself to prevent that.

"We should head back." Draco's smooth voice broke her out of her worries and she nodded. And just like that, the feeling was gone, as if the depths of her subconscious was telling her she was never supposed to feel it in the first place.

He helped transfigure everything back before hopping down the car and lending a hand to help Hermione down. She said a quiet thank you and was surprised when he followed her to the driver's side to open her door.

"I could get definitely get used to this Draco," she muttered to herself when Draco closed her door and walked over the passenger's side.

OoOoO

When they got back to Grimmauld Place they were met with absolute silence and the only light were a few candles in the corridors.

"They must be asleep. We should get some rest too." Hermione said and led the way upstairs. They walked in total silence and when they got to Hermione's door Draco leaned down and gave her a small kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Hermione. Until tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," Hermione confirmed, breathless. She seems to get that way whenever he touches her. When he touches her it feels as if her skin comes alive and she's becoming addicted to the euphoric feeling.

Draco grinned down at her and gave her a flirtatious wink, exuding confidence he really didn't have at that moment before turning and walking down the hall to one of the guest rooms. He shot one last smile at her and they both entered their rooms at the same time.

Draco shut the door behind him and leaned on it. The biggest grin felt like it was permanently etched onto his face. Today was by far one of the best days of his life. He couldn't contain the flutter in his stomach and the race of his pounding heart. Hermione Granger, the girl of his dreams, the girl he's sure is the love of his life, is giving him a chance to become hers and for her to become his.

Shaking his head, he got ready for bed and for the first time, the nightmares didn't consume him.

Hermione was having a hard time getting rid of the smile on her face and the blush that seems to be a permanent fixture on her cheeks ever since Draco Malfoy entered into her life. She liked the way his smile could melt her heart and after tonight she's accepted that yes, she fancies Draco Malfoy, maybe a little more than fancied him.

Her smile had vanished in an instant the moment the galleon hanging against her chest started burning. She had charmed it and another one that Harry had to burn when the other is urgently needed.

Harry needed her.

Hermione put on her bathrobe over her pyjamas and ran downstairs. She stormed into his room and found him thrashing around in his bed mid-nightmare. She ran over and cupped his face with both hands and began trying to coax him awake.

Finally, his eyes snapped open but they were rimmed red and glassy. Hermione saw the moment he finally focused on who was holding him and her heart shattered. They both let out sobs and she held him as he sobbed into her chest as she always did with him. She heard him fall asleep from exhaustion and she soon fell asleep right after, still holding on to each other.

Harry said it was his turn for him to take care of her but Hermione didn't agree. They will always take care of each other.

OoOoO

Draco woke up early to the smell of breakfast but his first thought went back to last night and a grin had once again taken over his beautifully sculpted face. Hermione Granger. I kissed Hermione Granger and let her know my intentions. Giddy and feeling on top of the world, Draco got ready and went downstairs and saw Pansy teaching Daphne, Blaise, and Theo how to cook.

"Hey, there he is. So how was last night," Blaise grinned, wiggling his brows.

Draco couldn't help his grin from widening and everyone whooped.

"That's my man," Blaise clapped him on the back. "So how was it? Did miss swot take your virginity?"

Draco's cheeks pinked and he spluttered. He smacked Blaise at the back of his head and the Italian let out a hearty laugh.

"No, she didn't. And why you would think such a thing boggles my mind."

"So what did she do that has our big bad Prince of Slytherin, Prince of Darkness smiling as if he could light up the entirety of England and all lands beyond?"

"Seriously, mate, who talks like that," Theo rolled his eyes.

"Shut up you two, but tell us what the bloody hell happened," Pansy said, her eyes alight in excitement.

"We went to get some ice cream then she brought me to this place where the stars and sky looked absolutely beautiful. We talked about astronomy and stargazed then...there was this moment. You know when everything just seems like perfect timing? Well, there was this perfect moment where it felt like it was just us two and nothing in the world mattered, not our pasts, not our future, nothing. It was just us and I leaned over and kissed her–"

Draco was cut off by the excited squeals from Daphne and Pansy. Theo smirked at Blaise as he cursed under his breath for having had lost the bet.

"–I kissed her and can you believe she actually kissed me back! I confessed that I've wanted her since I first met her and asked her for a chance and she said yes!"

"So are you two dating now?" Daphne asked excitedly, she didn't even care about the bet anymore she was too happy for her friends.

"No. We both agreed that we still have a long way to go before that. But I've made my intentions clear and she's accepted. Honestly, mates, nothing could make me happier than I am now, but somehow I feel like it's too good to be true. Like I should feel guilty that I'm being given something so good and pure like Hermione in my life. I can't help but feel like–"

"Don't go there Draco." Everyone startled at the voice and turned to see Ginny at the door with a comforting smile. "I heard everything and I'm truly happy for you, both of you. You've changed, you all have. Hermione wouldn't even have entertained the idea unless she saw something good in you. And believe me when I say Harry and I would have never let you out alone with her unless we trusted you.

"In the weeks that we've all started getting closer, Hermione has been more alive than she'd ever been in the last year and I believe that's because of you. You challenge her. You're not afraid to disagree and debate with her, but you're also a softie towards her. You're sweet and caring towards her. You make her blush and nervous and I know she feels something towards you, Harry and I both think so.

"Don't be so pessimistic about it and just let things run their course. But just know Harry and I support you- both of you."

Draco grinned and for the first time did something no Malfoy has ever done– he gave a Weasely a hug and had shown appreciation and vulnerability.

"Draco Malfoy hugged me, today's a day I should mark of importance," Ginny laughed when they pulled apart and Draco rolled his eyes but he was smiling nonetheless.

"By the way, Red, aren't you supposed to be somewhere with your family?" Blaise asked.

Ginny rolled her eyes at the nickname. "I am, but I came here to check up on Teddy, Harry, and Hermione. Where are they by the way?"

All five of them shrugged. "Sleeping I 'spose," Theo answered.

Ginny's brows rose and she checked her muggle watch, an old birthday gift from Hermione. "That doesn't seem right. Hermione's usually up at this time for her runs. I'll go check on them."

Ginny first went to Teddy's room and saw the baby boy still fast asleep. It was still really early after all. She then made her way to Harry's room and when she saw Harry sprawled across the bed like a starfish with one arm flung over Hermione's face while she had one leg hanging off the bed and all the blankets on her. She laughed to herself before sniffling a bit. She knew that this meant Harry had a nightmare.

Quietly, she walked over and wrote a note and left it on his bedside table. Giving both of them a kiss on the forehead, she left and made her way back downstairs.

"They okay," Theo asked.

Ginny smiled. "Harry must've had a nightmare last night because Hermione's sleeping with him right now."

All eyes darted to Draco who looked confused.

"It's perfectly innocent, believe me. They're just sleeping. They've lived in a tent for a year and I know they've gotten used to helping each other sleep after a bad night."

"This doesn't bother you?" Blaise asked with a brow raised.

Ginny pursed her lips. "At first it did because I didn't understand but now I do. It's innocent and they'd never be anything more. They're brother and sister and it'd be completely unfair for me to use something like this against them because they lived through everything together with my brother. They love each other and I trust both of them. You should too," Ginny stared pointedly at Draco.

"Of course I do," he said automatically.

"Mmm you say that but I know exactly what you're thinking and feeling. All I'm saying is don't try to fully comprehend it and nit-pick the details. Just understand that they'll always need each other. They're a package deal."

Draco nodded and thought about her words.

"Anyways, I'd love to stay for breakfast but I have to get to my family. If you hear Teddy crying it should be enough to wake either Harry or Hermione because of the sound amplification, but just in case they don't, could one of you please grab him. He might need a nappy change, a bottle of formula, and just likes being rocked for a few moments in his rocking chair. If you need instructions there should be a parchment of notes in his bookcase Hermione and Harry had written when they first started learning how to care for him."

"Notes?" Daphne questioned.

Ginny grinned. "It's Hermione Granger. She always makes notes. Trust her to make notes on how to care for an infant. Plus it was pretty useful because it taught them how to adjust what Teddy needs."

OoOoO

Hermione woke up and slapped Harry's hand out of her face. She let out a big yawn before jolting up. She turned to see Harry sprawled out snoring as usual and rolled her eyes.

"Harry," she called out. No response.

"Harry," she said louder, shaking him a bit. No response.

"Harry!" She yelled slapping his chest.

Harry jolted awake. He rubbed his chest and groaned. "Why the bloody hell did you do that?"

"You weren't waking up."

"You know I'm a heavy sleeper."

"Yes, and I know this is how I wake you up every single time and every time you respond the same way."

"Right then why'd you wake me up?"

Hermione looked at him as if he was stupid, a look Harry had grown up being on the receiving end of and furrowed his brows.

"Really? You can't think of any reason why you should be up at this time?"

Harry shrugged.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because you have an infant under your care?" Hermione snarked.

Harry's eyes widened and he rushed out of bed and out the room with Hermione following behind. What they weren't prepared for, however, was the disaster in Teddy's room.

Four panicked people, nappies all over the place, and Blaise rocking back and forth in the corner, looking traumatized.

"What the fuck happened in here," Harry asked, shocked.

Hermione's mouth was opening and closing like a fish.

Theo, who looked as if he was about to be in the same state as Blaise, was holding a happy Teddy who seemed to be wearing a nappy and the clothes he's supposed to be wearing wrapped around as a second nappy.

"Ginny stopped by and told us if neither of you woke up when Teddy did, then to take care of him. Said there were some instructions but we didn't anticipate it being harder than it looks," Pansy said, stressed and who seemed to have baby formula in her hair.

Harry and Hermione turned to each other and burst out laughing.

"Oi, this is no laughing matter! Blaise looks like he's about ready to cry," Daphne cried out.

This only made them laugh harder they had to hold on to each other for support.

"We tried changing his nappy but as soon as we got it opened the little devil started pissing everywhere as if he hadn't been trained! We tried using the other nappies to block his aim but in the end, Blaise became the victim. He's a bit traumatized and he smells," Draco said gruffly, glancing over at his friend. He ran his hands through his hair which looked like it had been pulled in all different directions multiple times.

Harry and Hermione fell to the floor laughing and Teddy started catching on to their excitement and began laughing as well. The boy was so happy he clapped his hands and all the lights in the room lit.

This caused everyone to still in shock.

"Did...did he just do some accidental magic?" Harry said staring at his babbling godson in the arms of a shocked Theo.

"Yes. Yes, I think he just did," Hermione said.

Suddenly they both jumped up and everyone was whooping around in joy and cooing to the very happy boy. Everyone, even Blaise had forgotten about the terror they had just faced.

"Oh Teddy, you're such a smart, smart boy!" Hermione cooed and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"That's my godson. That's really my godson," Harry said, dramatically wiping away faux tears from his eyes.

Draco puffed his chest. "Yeah and that's my cousin, Potter, now hand him over here, Theo."

Before Theo could comprehend the request, Draco carried Teddy and lifted him into the air before bringing him down again. "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant, mate! You're going to make a fine wizard!" He laughed and hugged the boy to his chest. He didn't even notice the excitement had died down to shock until he looked up and saw the expressions on his friend's faces.

"What?" He asked worriedly. "Is this okay?"

Everyone snapped out of their shock and all grinned at him.

Harry clapped him on the back. "Absolutely perfect, mate. Good job."

Draco's cheeks pinked and he looked over at Hermione who was staring at him adoringly and blushed even further. One day it'll be their kid, he vowed to himself.

OoOoO

A/N: Don't you just love an infatuated Draco, ugh my heart. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and thank you, beautiful people, for continuing to follow this story.

Love Always,
to-be-slytherin