The next morning, Draco awoke to a mouthful of curls and the sweet aroma of his wife, and he simply couldn't be happier. Her warm, soft skin and her lush arse—which was pressed up against his morning erection—served to remind him exactly how he'd woken up the day after their wedding.

But he knew this time was different.

There would be no retuning back to the Manor for him. No trying to please his parents nor worry about hurting their feelings.

No stress over being the disappointment to them that he was always made to feel.

As his hand cupped over his wife's belly, he just couldn't imagine how his parents could've been so indifferent and even horrid about his own children. Regardless of the circumstance, these babies were a part of him and therefore...they were part of them too.

Wondering how they were faring or if they even cared he was gone, wouldn't do him a lick of good at this point.

It was all water under the bridge as far as he was concerned.

Because right at this very minute, he was more at peace than he could ever remember feeling in his life and it was ironic that the one person who made him feel this way, was the one person in the world he'd hurt the most.

The one person who's kindness, generosity and ability to forgive was simply endless.

And he didn't deserve her at all.

Feeling his body stirring at his wife's breathy sighs as she continued to sleep filled Draco with a wave of emotion. Potter's words from the previous day flashed through his mind, and Draco had to admit he wasn't good with discussing feelings of any kind. Yesterday had left him emotionally spent and he'd selfishly hoped, that their Christmas Day might be sedate and private.

He didn't really want to share his wife with anyone today.

He smiled when he felt her stirring against him, her body arching instinctively into his own.

Cupping Hermione's left breast with his right hand, Draco started kissing his wife's neck and down to her shoulder as he gently rolled her nipple between his finger and thumb while simultaneously pushing his arousal into her backside.

It was another minute that he felt Hermione's hand move up to cup the back of his neck as her fingers wandered through his hair.

"Is this a dream?" She murmured sleepily and Draco chuckled as he nipped her earlobe playfully.

"No," he breathed into her ear, "this is very much the real thing, love."

"Hmmm," She hummed as her body wiggled even further into his own while sighing in pleasure. "That's good to know it wasn't all a dream."

Draco paused slightly as he pondered his wife's words and he felt a smidgeon of guilt and remorse for all the hurt he'd put her through.

"I'm sorry." He whispered lowly and wasn't surprised when Hermione shushed him.

"Don't," She admonished softly, her eyes gazing back at him from over her shoulder. "You're here and that's all that matters."

"Yeah?"

"Yes." She agreed readily, before wiggling herself against his hardness causing him to let out a strangled groan. "We're wasting time, husband."

"Is that so, wife?" Draco nipped forcefully on Hermione's neck and grinned triumphantly when she jerked her arse into him with need.

The next hour was filled with the loud sounds of moans, groans and wet slapping skin as Draco wasted no time filling his wife with his desire over and over again.

After their third round, they both laid spent and panting on the bed, curled around each other. As he stared down into Hermione's face, Draco felt that sense of peace wash over him as he reached out to wrap a single curl around his fingers—tugging lightly with a grin.

"What's on the agenda for today?"

"I was thinking we'd just stay here." She offered with a soothing touch to his cheek. "My parents mentioned they'd stop by later on this afternoon for dinner, but for now...I hope you're not too displeased at just spending the day abed."

Pulling her into his side firmly, Draco kissed Hermione's temple in gratitude. "Not at all, in fact I'd prefer it."

"That's what I figured."

Silence reigned for a bit until Hermione turned slightly and propped her chin up on his chest and he looked down to wide amber eyes that were openly considering him.

They were filled with questions he wasn't sure he was ready or able to answer.

But to his great surprise, Hermione didn't seem eager to pursue whatever was on her mind, all she said was, "Whenever you're ready to talk to me about what happened, I'll be here to listen."

Draco sighed but nodded slowly. "I appreciate that. I just don't know how to process all of it yet. I'm sure the fallout is going to be tremendous and I just want to make sure you and the babies are safe."

"I know, and I don't plan to do much but go from here to Hogwarts. I've purposefully stayed away from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Despite the Marriage Law, people have their opinions and I'd rather not deal with small-minded individuals right now."

Draco sat up and took her with him, rearranging them more comfortably. "Has it been tough?"

"Not especially, although there are some within Slytherin House especially amongst the older set, who seem to still have a fair bit of prejudiced views. But there are those who see my marrying you as a betrayal to my side too. It's all so ridiculous that I hardly give it much thought."

"I'm sor..."

Hermione's shook her head, placing her index finger to his lips to halt his words.

"Draco, there's much that you have to atone for but other people's prejudices aren't one of them. Perhaps in time, things will settle. I'd imagine there will be those who see your choice to disavow your heritage as the ultimate betrayal, just as I'm sure there will be those who will look upon the act with sympathy and admiration. We can't change what's happened, but we can decided how we're going to react to it and how we deal with it together."

He just nodded, knowing in his heart and mind that Hermione was correct. They had no control over other people's opinions and frankly, Draco couldn't care less anymore what anyone of his so-called friends thought about his choice.

But it did make him wonder for a split second if Blaise and Theo had known about his parents keeping in contact with Pansy and if they'd offered help as well.

That thought made him frown heavily.

"What?"

Draco blanched at his wife's look of confusion and concern.

"I was just wondering if Theo or Blaise were..." his voice dropped off but Hermione's quick mind finished his train of thought.

"In on it with Pansy?"

"Yeah, and my parents."

"Are they closer with you or Pansy?"

Draco thought about it and shrugged. "Blaise and Pansy don't really get along all that well but she and Theo were betrothed before this marriage law came into effect."

"Shite."

"Yeah, that was my thought too."

"I don't know exactly if Pansy is still in Auror custody, but I do know that Harry and Ron were the ones who arranged to have her home searched and had her taken in for questioning. But I don't know much else."

"Do you think they would know?"

"Probably."

Draco sighed as he stared off over his wife's shoulder, deep in thought.

After a while he just murmured sadly, "Tomorrow. It can wait until then, right?"

Hermione nodded, pulling him down with her and cuddling into his side as she agreed.

"Tomorrow."

The rest of the day was spent making love and talking about her Mastery. It was if they both know that they weren't quite ready to face the cold reality that the ensuing day would bring. When they finally showered and dressed to head downstairs to make dinner, they were eventually joined by her parents, who had come through the floo with Harry in tow as he'd brought over the gift that Draco had asked him to get for Hermione.

He was quick to mention that he didn't know much and wouldn't until tomorrow but he'd floo over the next day once all the questioning was done. Draco did mention about Pansy and Theo's former relationship, which had Harry promising he'd look into it.

Helen moved over to embrace her daughter, wishing her a Happy Christmas before standing in front of her son-in-law, who was watching both she and her husband with a guarded expression on his face.

"Happy Christmas, Draco."

The young man smiled shyly and replied, "Happy Christmas, Mrs. Granger."

Placing her hand gently on the young lad's forearm, she gave it a brief squeeze and then said softly, "Call me Helen dear. We are family after all, yes?"

Hermione watched Draco swallow several times and blink rapidly as he nodded his agreement. Her Father came over and patted him on the shoulder before absconding with her mum so they could work on dinner.

"Do you want some help, Mum?"

"No, I think your Father and I can manage. Why don't you both go and rest up a bit and I'll come get you when dinner is ready."

"Okay."

Grabbing Draco's hand, she led him back to their room but not before he grabbed a package off the table that Harry had left and took it with them.

"What's that?"

Draco sighed as he waited until they were alone before handing his wife the gift. Her expression was surprised but there was also a tinge of embarrassment too.

"It's for you, for Christmas."

"Oh!" Hermione shook her head. "I didn't..."

"It's fine Hermione. I think being here with you is probably the best Christmas gift I could've hoped for."

They sat down on the bed together and Hermione fiddled with the paper before slowly tearing open the small package. Her breath caught when she saw the book inside.

"How?"

Draco ran a hand through his hair sheepishly. "When I was rewatching the memories of us eighth year, I noticed you had an old worn paperback copy of this novel and I thought you might like to have a first edition for your collection."

Draco watched Hermione grip the book into her chest as tears welled in her eyes at the thoughtful gift.

"I love it, thank you Draco."

"You don't have to thank me. If anything, it's I who should be thanking you. You never cease to amaze me with your ability to put the past behind you, to forgive and be the better person. I have to admit, I don't have a lot of experience in that arena, but I'm willing to try for you."

Her expression was warm as she leant over and kissed him softly.

When she pulled back, she cupped his cheek in her hand and smiled when he tilted his head into the gesture.

"I think the Draco Malfoy before me has the ability to be anything he wants to be and I'm looking forward to seeing what he chooses to do with it."

"I just hope I don't disappoint you or our children."

"You won't," Hermione insisted, "because I won't let you and your much stronger than you've ever given yourself credit for."

Draco pulled his wife into his embrace and rearranged them more comfortably on their bed. As he was about to drift off to sleep, he heard his wife mumble softly, "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too." He murmured, as sleep took them both.