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CHAPTER 22

"Granger?"

Hermione continued to stare at him, her revelation swirling in her mind.

She wanted to claim him.

Claim him. As her own.

It's only been three months.

And for half of that time he hated her.

She tried to shift off him, but he held her still.

"You can't move," he reminded her. "Not yet."

She nodded and buried her face against his chest. The euphoria of her orgasm had quickly disappeared and the self-doubt crept back in.

Closing her eyes, Hermione could hear the beat of his heart — a beautiful thumping sound that slowed as his breathing eased and his own pleasure ebbed from his body. His lips pressed to the top of her head as the covers slid over them, cocooning them in the warmth still radiating from their skin.

He didn't speak, just wrapped his arms around her, letting the quiet stillness envelope her. She knew he sensed something was wrong, but he was giving her the chance to think it through.

Claim him.

The thought should have terrified her. But in her heart, she knew this was her future. He was her future. She saw it clearly. Felt it to her very core.

Three months. Three months since Ron had walked into her office and her whole world had changed. Three months that had been a blur.

And the only clarity in that blur had been him.

The anger and possessiveness. The heated tempers, the fight for dominance. The warmth and the laughter.

The desire.

All of it infuriated her, but it also soothed and calmed her.

"Okay?" he whispered after an age.

"Yeah," Hermione said quietly. "Just thinking."

He stroked his fingers along her spine. A gentle, slow movement that was lulling her into a trance.

"How did it feel," he asked gently, "when you weren't thinking? When you were just lost in the moment?"

She smiled. "It felt incredible."

"I love that you think things through," he said carefully. "I love that you want to do everything perfectly, and Darling, everything you did was perfect. And you did it without thinking. You just felt."

"Mostly without thinking," she corrected. "Pansy might have had a few pointers to share."

"Pansy?" he asked, then began to laugh. "How did that conversation go?"

"It was very informative. Pansy is very wise."

Draco kissed the top of her head again. "Remind me to thank her next time I see her."

Hermione traced her finger along a curved scar on his chest. "It was okay then?"

"Okay?" He rubbed one hand gently up and down her arm. "Everything you did was incredible. Don't ever doubt yourself again."

"Are you sure?" She knew he meant what he said, but that niggling doubt still lingered.

"Darling, please stop thinking. Just for a minute." He hooked his chin over the top of her head and looped his arms back around her, holding her close. "Tell me what that look was on your face. Right at the end. You were absolutely stunning and your eyes were as golden as I've ever seen them."

"It was… I wanted to…" she sighed. "You said you loved me."

"I did," Draco agreed. "And you scoffed."

"Yeah, sorry about that." She winced. After the realisation that she just had, she understood what he meant. He knew the woman he was meant to be with, his Alpha instincts hadn't allowed him to fall for anyone else. The Alpha in him had waited. And she now knew why.

The moment she'd allowed herself to let go of her anger and fear, and just feel, everything seemed to slide into place. It was a lightbulb moment if there ever was one. Everything inside her screamed that he was the one. He was her Alpha. Her mate.

"You're thinking again."

"I said you'd have to get used to it."

"Then tell me. Whatever it is inside that giant brain of yours, just tell me."

"You marked me. I'm not cross about it, but when you did it, I didn't even think to do the same to you." She lifted her head and gave him a lopsided smile. "Giant brain and all."

Draco simply laughed and waited for her to continue.

"But in that last moment, I realised something. I don't need to mark you." She kissed his jaw. "No woman will come near you again." She kissed the corner of his mouth. "They will all know it's not in their best interest to even think about you, let alone touch you." She traced his lip with her tongue. "I am Hermione Granger. I am an Alpha. And you, Draco Malfoy, are my mate."

Her teeth grazed over the gland in his neck and he hissed when she bit down gently. He gripped her hair, gently pulling her away.

"Be careful. Biting me there could lead to us being bonded."

She stared down at him. Claimed. Bonded. Mated for thought settled over her with an unexpected ease.

"Maybe that's what I want. Maybe I've decided."

His eyes glowed. The turquoise blue she so adored shone back at her.

"Hermione…" his voice was a disbelieving breath. "You have to be sure. This is a sealed deal."

"I know what I want, Draco..." She leaned back down and ran her tongue along his jaw. "...and that's you."

He stared at her for what seemed like an age before stretching his head back, offering up his gland. His submission. "I'm yours, Granger."

She bit down hard, breaking his skin. The taste of his blood was metallic on her tongue. She pulled away with a grimace — it was unpleasant to say the least. And the 'flowing magic' she'd read about was nowhere to be found.

"Is that it?" Draco sounded as confused as she felt.

"I don't know. Do you feel different?"

He shook his head. "There's an awful sting in my neck, but other than that, I feel nothing."

"Nothing?"

He shook his head again. "Did you do it correctly?"

She shot him a look of incredulity. "How many ways are there to bite someone, Draco?"

"Maybe I have to bite you?" He held his hand up. "I don't mean that in some chauvinistic way, but maybe it's a two-way thing."

Hermione nodded. "Maybe. Give it a shot."

He rolled them over carefully; he was still locked inside her, his cock showing no signs of flagging any time soon. She tilted her head to the side as he dragged her hair away, "Ready?"

She nodded and closed her eyes, jumping at the graze of his teeth and letting out a quiet yelp when his teeth broke her skin.

"Fuck," Draco gagged. "That's unpleasant."

"And it fucking hurt."

He pressed his thumb to her wound. "Sorry. I guess we did this wrong."

She shook her head and touched his cheek. "This is going to be an awkward conversation with your mother."

"My darlings!" Narcissa's smile was warm and her delight at seeing them together had become a permanent fixture on her face. "What brings you both here?"

"Since you love seeing Granger, we thought we'd just stop in." Draco rolled his eyes, but smiled as his mother hugged her. Hermione knew Draco loved that she and his mother got along, even if he pretended he didn't.

"Yes, well, I love seeing you too, Draco." Narcissa kissed his cheek then called for Keely to make tea and they moved to the sitting room that overlooked the gardens. "Now, what's happened?"

"Why do you think something's happened?" Draco asked, waiting for both women to be seated.

Hermione smiled up at him. His old-school manners were long ingrained into him, but that didn't stop him from placing his hand on her thigh when he sat beside her.

"You both looked concerned," Narcissa told them. "Your eyes give you away."

"We have some questions," Hermione began, but stopped when Lucius entered the room.

"I thought I heard the excited squeals of my wife." Lucius smiled adoringly at Narcissa. "I assumed her favourite person was here, Hermione."

Hermione smiled nervously and Draco glanced at her. "He'll leave if you want."

"I'm interrupting," Lucius said with a nod. "My apologies."

"No, it's fine, Lucius," Hermione replied. "It might be easier for Draco if you're here. We just have some questions and they're a little, um, sensitive."

"If you're sure." Luicus sat beside Narcissa when Hermione affirmed it was fine.

"We just had some questions regarding Alphas and bonding. But, it's slightly embarrassing."

Narcissa sucked in a breath and Hermione knew exactly what she was thinking — bonding meant grandchildren.

"You might as well just tell her," Draco said. "I don't think I've ever seen my mother this close to exploding."

Hermione huffed out a laugh as Narcissa scowled at him, and then she linked her fingers with his. "Draco and I have decided that we want to be bonded."

His mother pressed her fingers to her mouth, but she was almost shaking with excitement. "Oh, my darlings. This is wonderful. Why ever do you think this is embarrassing?"

"Well…" Draco began, glancing at Hermione. "We, ah..."

"We already tried it, but nothing happened." Hermione finished for him, her cheeks heating up.

"Oh." She looked between them., "What was it that you tried?"

"Biting each other's glands." Hermione said. "It's what all the books say has to happen. I tried first, then Draco. But neither worked."

"That's the usual method, as far as I'm aware," Narcissa said with a thoughtful frown. "Were you engaged in intercourse at the time?"

"Mother!" Draco exclaimed. "I'm not sure that's relevant."

Lucius chuckled. "I think it's very important in this case, Draco."

"How is that fact important?" Draco shifted uncomfortably.

"It's part of an Alpha's bonding." Narcissa explained. "Sex plays a big part in bonding an Alpha to their mate."

"We, ah, had just finished," Hermione admitted. "Draco had..." she squeezed her eyes shut and took a breath. "Draco had knotted and was still locked inside me."

"That's the ritual as far as I am aware," Narcissa said. "It should have been successful."

"Is it the female aspect?" Hermione asked. "Does Draco not recognise me and vice versa?"

"It could be," Narcissa agreed.

"Or it could be something else entirely," Lucius said.

They all looked at him.

"Well, in the entire history of Alpha, Beta, and Omega pairings, not once has there been two Alphas. So it is possible that a different bonding ceremony must take place." Lucius pointed out. "And with no disrespect meant, Hermione, the traditional binding might not recognise you because you're Muggle-born. It is possible you may have to do some kind of Muggle ceremony."

"So you think this is because I'm a Mudblood?" Anger bubbled inside her at his assumption.

"I said nothing of the sort," Luicus replied.

"Ah, 'you're muggle-born'. That's what you said, right?"

"Yes, Hermione, that's what I said. What I did not say, however, is that your blood is dirty." Lucius leaned forward, "and if you'll let me explain?"

She nodded and he continued.

"What I was trying to say was, you are an anomaly. Not just a female Alpha, but a Muggle-born Alpha. That has never happened in the history of Alphas. They've only ever been from Pureblood families. Do I have the facts correct?" He looked at her for a response and she nodded. "So, maybe there is a part of this particular bonding that must be a part of you and the world you first grew up in. For your magic to recognise Draco's, and for his to recognise yours, there might be a certain ritual that has to occur alongside the traditional one that would normally occur."

"That actually makes sense." Draco turned to her. "What kind of rituals do you have in the muggle world?"

Hermione shrugged. "There's so many different ones. I wouldn't even know which one to choose."

"What about you specifically?" Narcissa asked. "Here in Muggle England, what would be the most traditional ceremony?"

"Um, a vicar in a church. Bride in a white dress, a nervous groom. Family and friends to witness it. Massive party afterwards. It's pretty basic. I can't imagine it would be considered a binding ceremony. Not in magical terms."

"No, that's probably not something that will help in this situation." Narcissa drummed her fingers in the arm of the chair. "There has to be a ritual that crosses the Muggle and magical lines. I'm certain all Alphas have not chosen only pureblood Betas throughout the centuries. There must be something somewhere that tells us how the pairings united."

"Well, fortunately for us, we have Hermione Granger in our midst." Draco kissed her temple. "The research queen will no doubt find a solution."

"Access the library here any time, Hermione," Lucius told her. "The volumes we have are extensive and you are welcome to them whenever you wish. We'll change the wards to allow the Manor to recognise you as family."

Narcissa smiled and reached out to take his hand. Lucius returned her smile and Hermione couldn't help but notice the complete adoration between them. A small wave of contentment washed over her, and all the feelings that were aimed toward Lucius seemed to disappear in an instant.

"What just happened?" Draco asked, his eyes wide with alarm.

"What do you mean?"

"You've kind of gone all weird and smiley at my father."

"I'm not sure," she said. "All those feelings that usually stir when I'm near him have gone. I've no idea what just happened."

"You're a Malfoy now," Narcissa stated.

"But we're not bonded yet." Hermione glanced at all three of them. "And I don't know if I'll take the Malfoy name."

"You don't have to take the Malfoy name," Luicus told her. "Times have changed and it's not expected. But as the head of the Malfoy house, it is my prerogative to choose those I wish to be considered as family."

"This is… I don't know what to say."

"Hermione, sweetheart, you have tamed my son," Lucius said. "Not only that, I see in him just how much he loves and adores you. And I see the same in you. You are now a Malfoy, Hermione, even if your name remains Granger. You are welcome here, and we are honoured to have you as a part of this family."

Hermione glanced up at Draco. His eyes were turquoise blue and he was looking at her with the same adoration that his father had shown when he looked at his mother. The same feeling of contentment washed over her again and she curled into his side.

"Okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," she whispered. "I'm a Malfoy."

"Oh, here's a brilliant one." Pansy clapped her hands. "The bride must wear the underwear of a female who has already been pregnant to encourage fertility."

"Good thing mum's not here," Ginny snorted.

Daphne glanced at Narcissa. "You're the only woman here who's had a child…"

"No," Hermione said bluntly. "Next one."

Narcissa glanced cautiously at Hermione. "I do want grandbabies…"

Hermione turned to Narcissa. "I'm sorry, but I'm not wearing my mother-in-law's underwear at this ceremony."

"I don't know, Hermione," Pansy tapped the passage in the book. "This obsession you have with Lucius... you and Draco could role play after the ceremony."

"Next!" Hermione and Narcissa cried together.

Pansy cracked up laughing, "Okay, but if Narcissa wants grandbabies soon, here's another one. After the ceremony, an infant is placed in the couple's bed to enhance fertility."

"Who do we know that has a baby?" Hannah asked, laughing at the horrified glare Hermione was sending her way.

"This is not about babies," Hermione said firmly. "This is about finding a way that Draco and I can bond. If that doesn't happen, there will definitely be no babies!"

For a week, Hermione had scoured the Malfoy library, her own book shop, the Hogwarts library and even the Ministry vaults. She'd sent out more owls than she cared to count to her contacts in the book world, but no new information came about.

She was frustrated and her friends weren't helping.

"Here's another good one," Hannah held up the book she was reading. "The bridesmaids give the groom a hard time on the morning of the wedding. They set a series of tests to see if he's worthy. Then he must pay off the bridesmaids with envelopes full of money."

"I could do with some Malfoy gold." Daphne chuckled.

"Who said any of you would be bridesmaids?" Hermione asked and they all protested.

"Of course we'll be bridesmaids," Ginny said confidently. "Two Alphas getting hitched? It'll be the wedding of the century. We're not missing out."

"There may not even be a fucking wedding!" Hermione yelled, her frustration finally winning out. "There's no reason to have bridesmaids if a wedding is pointless."

Narcissa touched her shoulder. "Hermione, darling, we'll figure this out. There has to be something we're missing and I'm sure we'll find it."

"Sorry," Hermione said quietly. "I just thought this would be easy."

"Granger, it will be easy. We just have to keep looking." Pansy moved to sit beside Hermione on the couch, looping an arm through hers. "But you have to realise, some of these traditions are quite funny."

"Yeah, I guess," Hermione agreed. "I didn't want any fuss. The entire world is watching our every move and I just wanted this one thing to be done without any fanfare." She glanced up at Narcissa. "Sorry. You probably wanted a big, fancy affair for Draco, but that's just not me."

"Darling, this is about you and Draco, not any of us." Narcissa glanced around sternly at the others. "You can have anything you want."

"Hermione?" Daphne spoke up. "I might have found something. It's an old Pureblood ceremony. Not for Alphas, just… well, listen. Family circles. The bride and groom surround themselves with three family circles. The parents form the first circle, siblings the second, close friends and other family make up the third. The couple hold opposing hands which are bound together by an item of significance to the respective family, and their magic is sealed together in an unbreakable bond. The traditional bonds of marriage are performed by a high Wizard or Witch from the Order of Valar."

"That sounds promising." Pansy squeezed Hermione's arm but Hermione simply shrugged.

"Unfortunately I'm not pureblood and I have no family."

"We're your family," Hannah told her. "All of us love you like a sister,"

"I'm not sure that'd be enough."

"But we are your family," Ginny said, her eyes flashing with excitement. "We can actually make this work."

"Ginny, what—" Hermione began, but Ginny disappeared into the Floo just as Draco stepped out.

"Be right back," she yelled.

"This should be interesting." Pansy said.

"What's happening?" Draco asked.

"Apparently Ginny has a solution to the bonding issue," Hermione told him.

"Should be very interesting then." He crossed the room and Pansy shifted back to the armchair allowing him to sit beside her.

"Daphne might have found a pureblood ceremony that could work, but old Mudblood here is causing an issue." Pansy winked at Hermione.

"Pansy Parkinson!" Narcissa looked ready to Avada her.

"It's fine, Narcissa," Hermione said. "Pansy's usually an arse."

"Just trying to lighten the mood," Pansy told them with a wolfish grin.

"You will not use that term ever again, Pansy." Narcissa was furious. "It is not to be used in any capacity and certainly not in jest."

"But, Hermione said—"

"I don't care what Hermione said. Don't let me hear it again."

"Yeah, alright. Sorry," Pansy said, suitably chastened.

Draco sniggered. "Careful or next she'll be sending you to your room."

"Shut up, arsehole," Pansy snarked.

"I thought you were all adults." Narcissa was shaking her head in disgust.

The Floo lit up and Ginny reappeared, excitement rolling off her in waves. Molly and Arthur stepped out behind her looking equally as pleased.

"Here's the solution!" Ginny indicated her parents. "They'll adopt you!"

"What?" The word was a collective cry of disbelief from everyone.

Ginny was nodding enthusiastically. "You need a family, a pureblood one, and Mum and Dad think of you as one of us anyway. So why not?"

"Ginny, that's…" Hermione was dumbstruck. "It's a lot to ask. And I'm not sure it would be allowed. I'm an adult."

"Not according to Narcissa." Pansy had her arms crossed over her chest and was sulking.

"That's only you, Pans," Draco answered. "But this is definitely a possibility."

"Molly, Arthur?" Hermione flicked her wrist and two extra chairs appeared out of nowhere. "This is a big deal for you. I can't ask you to do this if you don't want to."

"Hermione, dear, we love you as much as any of our own children." Molly was almost vibrating with excitement. "And you need us to help, so it's not even a question."

Hermione looked to Arthur. "Are you sure?"

"Of course!" Arthur rubbed his hands together. "We'll go to the Ministry tomorrow and I'll pull some strings. You'll be a Weasley in no time."

Pansy forgot that she was sulking and started to laugh. "A Malfoy marrying a Weasley. I never thought I'd ever hear that sentence."

"Lucius already deemed me a Malfoy," Hermione said. "But I'd be proud to be a Weasley."

"Hermione Granger-Malfoy-Weasley." Hannah laughed. "Your poor children."