Draco straightened his bowtie and looked in the mirror. Tonight was the night that he and Hermione announced to the world that they were together. It also meant that it would be the beginning of end of their relationship. Once Hermione realized what it was like to be associated with the Malfoy's, she would be sure to leave him.

His nerves were on edge as he fixed his cufflinks. Not only would Hermione leave him, but she would also be leaving Scorpius. Draco sighed as he mourned his relationship. He wished he could protect Scorpius from the hurt he would eventually feel. Scorpius had grown so fond of 'his 'Mione'. Scorpius had done nothing, yet he was constantly being punished for Draco's past mistakes.

Draco wanted to give Hermione the benefit of the doubt. She was strong and brave. Perhaps she would weather the oncoming storm. But Draco knew. He knew that she would leave him eventually. Just like Astoria, just like Pansy.

She's not like Astoria or Pansy, a small voice echoed in his head, She's better than that.

"Daddy!" Scorpius yelled as he came running to Draco's bedroom, breaking Draco's thoughts. The young boy struggled to get up on to the bed. He looked adorable in his tiny tuxedo, his hair slightly ruffled and his tie undone. Scorpius managed to get up on to the bed; he huffed loudly and hung his feet over the edge.

"You got to get 'Mione," the boy said sternly and Draco couldn't help but laugh at him.

Draco walked over to his son, "I'm going to get her soon, buddy." Draco took the boy's tie and started knotting it. "You look terribly handsome, Scorp. You're going to have to fight all the girls off you."

The young Malfoy made a face and Draco chuckled deeply. "Girls are icky, Daddy," he said matter-of-factly.

"You'll change your mind one day," Draco noted. Draco could remember when he thought that girls were icky too. He also remembered being a teenage boy and only thinking about girls. He remembered being repulsed by Pansy's pursuit and then being interest in it. Pansy had been his first for, well, most everything.

"Hermione's a girl," Draco said, raising an eyebrow at his son.

"Yeah, but 'Mione is so nice!" Scorpius said.

"Ginny Potter is a girl," Draco continued.

Scorpius sighed, "But Potter's pretty!"

Draco barked out a laugh, "Are you saying that Hermione's not pretty."

Scorpius shook his head frantically, "'Mione's pretty too! Daddy you think 'Mione's pretty?"

Draco looked at his son. He was getting too smart for his own good. Draco sighed lightly, "Yes, Scorpius, I think Hermione's pretty."

"Good," Scorpius smiled broadly. "I tell her!"

Draco's heart pounded, he gave a sharp look at his son, "Oh, no you won't"

The young blond laughed, "Yes! Yes, I will!"

Draco smiled and he straightened his son's tie, "Let it just be our secret, okay, Scorp?"

Scorpius smiled devilishly at his father, a smile that Draco recognized all too much as his own. "Okay, daddy. A secret."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Draco Apperated just outside Hermione's property and walked briskly to the door. He was a bit late, due to his conversation with Scorpius.

He knocked on the door.

"You can come in!" Hermione shouted from inside the house Draco took a breath, trying to calm his nerves; which were, once again on edge.

He opened the door and shouted, "I'm sorry I'm late. Scorpius needed help tying his tie."

"It's alright. I'm almost ready. I'll be right with you," She called from her bedroom.

He moved to the sitting room. He had been to Hermione's quite a lot recently, but he had never taken the time to actually look around. He moved to the fireplace mantle, where a dozen framed pictures sat. He noticed one of Potter and Teddy as a small baby. Teddy waved towards the photographer and Potter would look up from the small child, a nervous look on his face. There was a picture of Hermione and Weasley, locked in an embrace. Her hand would hit his chest and Weasley would throw his head back in laughter. There was a picture of Potter and Ginny on their wedding day. While Ginny look out at everyone, Potter was only looking at her. He would lean in and kiss her cheek. There was another photo of Weasley standing with his brother, George outside his shop. And another of Potter and Weasley, on what must have been their Auror graduation. There was a muggle photo was what must have been a young Hermione and her parents.

Looking at the photo's, Draco realized how little he actually knew about Hermione. He didn't know her parent's names; he didn't know where she grew up. All he gathered from the photos was that her life consisted of love. There was more love in the pictures then Draco had seen in his entire life.

His chest started feeling tight and constricted. He didn't fit in her life. He wasn't like her. Running a hand through his hair, he wished, more than ever, that was one of the smiling faces.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and a voice sounded behind him.

Draco whipped around to see Hermione standing in the doorway. He was probably the most selfish man alive because when he saw her, he didn't care if they weren't right for each other, or that Hermione was better off with someone else. All he cared about was that she was, for the night, his.

She looked up and brushed her fringe from her face. Draco thought that she looked perfect. She was wearing a floor length, dark red gown. Her hair was tied on a loose bun and diamond earring hung from her ears.

"You look –"Draco was speechless.

Hermione's face dropped. "I look okay, right? I mean, it is suppose to be formal? The invitation said formal," she panicked.

"No, no. You look perfect – beautiful," Draco stuttered.

Hermione blushed deeply and Draco walked over to her. He took her hand and placed a light kiss on her cheek.

"Are you ready?" Draco asked, meaning more than going to the ball.

Hermione's smile broadened and she squeezed his hand tightly. Draco could have sworn her palms were clammy, but he wasn't sure if it was hers or his.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Draco landed inside his bedroom, Hermione at his side.

Beside him, Hermione took a deep shaky breath and Draco looked down at her. She looked far more nervous than he had ever seen her.

"Are you okay? We can stay here for a while," Draco said, moving his hand to her back.

"I'm not worried about the people," Hermione snapped. Then she whispered, "I'm scared of this place."

Draco nodded softly. "I promise you won't even recognize the room. But we can stay up here as long as we want. Well,you can, I'll have to go down eventually."

"Is this your bedroom?" Hermione asked tentatively. She stepped away from him, looking around the room curiously.

Draco ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah. It is – or was. It's my bedroom when I stay at the Manor."

Hermione's eyes shined in awe, "But it's not green?"

He looked around at the light grey walls. "No, it's not." A smiled pulled at his lips. "The Slytherin bedrooms were green."

Draco watched Hermione as she walked over and placed a hand on his bedpost.

"I've never been in your bedroom before," she smiled. A weight seemed to lift from Draco's shoulders. She was getting use to the idea of being in the Manor; his bedroom was distracting her from remembering all the horrors she faced here.

So he did the only thing he could think of to help distract her further, he kissed her.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Moments later, Hermione had gathered enough courage to attempt to go down stairs. He noticed how tightly she gripped his hand as they descended. He noticed how she bit her lip with worry and how her shoulders were squared.

"It's going to be fine," he smiled softly and kissed her temple.

Seeing Hermione like this, made emotions stir inside his chest, emotions that he had never really felt before. He wanted to be there for her. He didn't want it to be Weasley or Potter. He wanted to hold her hand and whisper words of encouragement into her ear. He wanted to comfort her and make her feel better. He wanted her to turn to him for support.

He choked down the new sensation and took a deep breath as they entered the ball. Draco didn't know if it was his hand or Hermione's that was shaking. Everyone in the room seemed to stop what they were doing. They all turned towards them, their eyes darting from Draco and Hermione's interlocked hands to their faces.

Draco saw Pansy by his mother, grinning; and he saw Potter with the Weasleys, sporting a similar smile.

Pulling Hermione along, he headed towards Potter. In the corner of his eye, he saw his mother motion for the band to pick up again and Pansy pushed her way over to them.

Once with her friends, Hermione seemed to perk up slightly.

"Merlin, Hermione," Weasley looked at her in awe, "you look bloody fantastic."

Potter nodded and leaned in to kiss Hermione on the cheek. A small jolt of jealousy shot thought Draco.

Distracting himself he looked towards Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, "I am glad you all could come. I'm sure my mother appreciates it."

Mrs. Weasley smiled softly and said, "It's no problem, dear. We are glad to be here."

Pansy placed a hand on Draco's shoulder, indicating that she had caught up to him. She placed a wide, smile on her face, but Draco could feel that it was forced.

Leaning over to her, Draco whispered, "Play nicely."