A/N: As you'll see in a moment, I did a little bit of a time jump. And I will do another one for the last chapter. I hope you love this and JUST WAIT until Friday for the finale!

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TWENTY-FOUR

In the ten years since Voldemort had been finally defeated, Hermione hadn't been back to Hogwarts. She had considered taking the offer from McGonagall after the war to come back and finish her schooling, but she had declined. She had jumped straight into work at the Ministry and never looked back.

Since then, the Ministry had held an annual day of remembrance for those that had lost their lives not only in that final battle, but in every skirmish and mission during Voldemort's reign of terror. Each year, it had been held at the Ministry itself, but since this was a special anniversary, they decided to move the event to Hogwarts to commemorate it properly.

Had it not been for her support system, she would have never been able to make it past the grounds. And she knew it was the same for them when they had paused upon the carriages pulling them up to the main gate. Draco had dropped a kiss to her cheek and given her hand one last squeeze before telling her he would be waiting inside. She watched him walk away with his former housemates as Harry grasped her left hand and Ron took her right.

They stood there for awhile, the three of them lost in their own little world of memories. It wasn't until Hagrid had cleared his throat and greeted them with a warm smile and tears of joy that they released one another. With his giant stature, Hagrid had pulled the three of them in for a hug all at once and held them there until the unease of seeing the castle began to ebb.

For as many bad memories as their alma matter held, there were even more good ones.

The four of them chatted as they made their way up to the castle where the event was taking place in the Great Hall. It felt just like old times, only when they saw Draco again at the entrance of the castle, he wasn't wearing a smug smile with the intention of getting them put in detention. With one last shared round from Harry's flask, the five of them entered the Great Hall and endured the spot light. Something none of them was sure to disappear until they died.

Of course, when news had broken about Hermione and Draco being a couple over a year ago, the press had been all over them. She had been sour over the first headline: Draco Malfoy; trading a Pureblood fiancé for the Muggleborn Golden Girl. It had made her sick, but Draco had only laughed. However, Astoria had dropped by her office the following work day and laughed about it too, Hermione softened. Ever since, she had become friends with Astoria; something the press also had a field day with.

Tonight, being the night that it was, the Golden Trio was getting more attention than ever. And being that Draco and Hermione were still going strong in their relationship as well as her recent promotion to head of the Department of Magical Creatures, Draco was getting just as much attention too. The only time she wasn't at his side was when it came time for her, Harry, and Ron to give their speeches.

"It's the same speech every year," she groused as she saw Kingsley's secretary coming to find her.

"It's the same speech for every event," Draco countered.

Hermione's brow lifted slightly. "What'd you do? Memorize it?"

He snorted, but drew her close and smirked down at her. "I'm sure everyone has at some point. But I don't think it's the speech that anyone cares about so much as the sight of the Golden Trio together," he said.

"And here I thought you never paid attention when I speak," she murmured, lifting herself up enough to lay her lips against his.

"Of course I listen, Granger, but truthfully," he leaned down, his lips against her ear. "I just liked the excuse it gave to watch your lips move."

"Okay lovebirds," Harry interrupted as Ron cleared his throat. "Think you can tear yourselves away from one another long enough to give this speech?"

"I suppose," Draco murmured, but he kissed her one more time before stepping back. "I'll be right here," he promised her.

She smiled at him and then reached for Harry and Ron's hands again as the three of them made their way to the head of the room. Instead of the long table for the professors, there was a podium set up for them to give their speech. As they settled into their positions, the crowd began to take notice and drifted their way to listen in. Kingsley gave the introductions, speaking of how it was a long, winding journey, one that was full of sacrifices, but one that he was sure each of the fallen would make again to know their loved ones would be free of Voldemort.

Then it was Ron who gave his portion of the speech. He spoke of his family and the losses they had suffered. Tears sprang to his eyes and kept him from speaking for a moment when Fred's ghost came to join him on the stage. Hermione was still struggling to keep her wits about her, something that she was only able to do when she found Draco in the crowd and held his gaze.

Her speech was next, though she cut it down considerably when her voice began to fail. She had cried enough for a lifetime in front of crowds and she didn't want to spill anymore tears. Instead, she passed the light to Harry to finish it up.

Unlike previous years and speeches at other events, Harry was the most sober she had ever seen him. When he spoke, it was like watched the boy she had grown up with; the one that had defeated Voldemort instead of the man trying to hide the demons the war left behind. The pride that swelled made tears threaten to fall, but she refused to let them. When his words got too close to home, she turned her attention back to the crowd, but no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't find Draco to calm her nerves.

"Ten years ago, we all came together to stop a madman from taking over. Blood was spilled and tears were shed, but it was worth it. Voldemort is gone because of everyone's hard work and sacrifices." He turned his attention to Hermione and she went still as a statue. "But there has been more than enough sadness when it comes to the memory of this day. I think it's time we added some happiness to it."

For a moment, time stood still. She forgot how to breathe as Harry stepped away, allowing her to see Draco walking up to her. Even Ron moved away from her, squeezing her shoulder as he passed to take his spot next to Harry. The podium in front of her disappeared and her heart skipped several beats as her hand rose to cover her mouth.

By the time Draco reached her, he had dropped to one knee before her. One hand was raised to her with a ring that sparkled brilliantly in the lights around them as he held up a little jewelry box.

"Ten years ago I was at my lowest," he said, his voice deceptively strong. She could see the extra shine in his eyes, but she let her own tears fall and cried enough for the both of them. "And that's saying something, considering that I did nothing but bully everyone. Especially you." He swallowed and her fingers trembled on her lips. "I know we've all changed since the war ended and Potter's right, we do need some happy memories for this day. And there's nothing I can think of that would be better than if you would do the honor of saying you'll marry me, Hermione."

She nodded at first, but when she found her voice, it was still shaky with her tears. "Yes!"

She extended her left hand to him and he took out the ring. As he slid it onto her finger, the crowd erupted into cheers and she launched herself at him; her arms winding around her neck. His looped around her back and lifted her up, spinning her around in celebration as their lips met over and over again. For the first time in all her life, she welcomed the spotlight, knowing she would cherish the images of this moment for years to come.

It was equally by extreme luck as it was Harry and Ron's distractions that allowed Hermione and Draco to slip away from the Great Hall. Immediately following his proposal, cameras had been everywhere. They had posed for what felt like eternity and then reports from all sorts of publications were there to get the inside scoop. Hermione was giddy on the high of it all, but she was more than ready to leave so she could properly celebrate this new part of their relationship.

So it was a shock when Draco tugged her away from the entrance and up towards the main staircase. "I thought we were leaving?"

"We will," he said, turning his head to the side to grin ruefully at her. "There's just something I've always wanted to do first."

Hermione paused mid-step and rolled her eyes at him. "You didn't get enough girls to shag you in these hallways when you were a student here?"

He pressed his lips to hers until she couldn't keep her lips curved down any longer. "But I never shagged the right girl, so the fantasy is still very much alive." His own smile was triumphant when he grabbed hold her hand again. "Don't tell me you never had any fantasies about this place, Granger. I'm sure there was a time or two when you would have wanted Potter or Weasley to slam you up against the stacks in the library."

She huffed and moved forward so she was the one pulling him up the stairs. They made it to the second floor landing before she found herself being shoved up against the stone wall. "Draco- Anyone can see us here!" she hissed as his lips descended upon hers.

"Afraid they'll see me stake another claim on you?" he mumbled as his lips trailed their way down her throat, making her shiver. "Let them see," he added. "Let them hear you call my name when you come for me, Granger. Let them see me fill you up with my cock and mark you as mine."

The moan that escaped her lips was more akin to a wail and he chuckled as it echoed around the empty halls. But as she felt him lift the skirt of her gown, she pushed him back and took hold of his hand again. Without stopping again, she continued to lead the way to the seventh floor. Only when they reached the all too familiar corridor did she stop and let go of his hand. She thought of what she wanted and then looked at him once the door began to appear on the wall.

"Dozens of classrooms and you come back to this room?" he questioned.

"It's more than just a glorified dumping ground," she assured him, moving forward to push open the door. "You can ask for whatever you want and the room will give it to you." She reached out for him to take her hand and led him across the threshold. "This way, you get to fuck me in a classroom, but we don't run the risk of being walked in on."

"That's half the fun, Granger," he mumbled as the door closed behind him.

"When the potential voyeurs are minors, I refuse to take that risk," she replied.

His lips pressed into a thin line. "Fair point," he said with a grin and reached for her. His eyes widened in surprise when she held up her hand to stop him and took a step back. "Since when do you give the orders here?"

She bit her lip and watched as his eyes flickered down to her mouth; the apple of his throat bobbing. "I don't, but if there's one thing I've come to learn about you, Draco, it's that you don't like to do anything half-assed." She made a spinning gesture at him with her wand. "Turn around, please."

He took his sweet time, but eventually, Draco turned his back to her. She made quick work of her clothes, transfiguring them into her old Hogwarts uniform. She even made it so that everything fit just a little tighter; the buttons of her shirt straining against her bust and her skirt just a tad shorter than what was appropriate in her youth. And just because she knew it would drive him crazy, she kept her Gryffindor colors.

As she glanced down at herself, she did a double take at the sight of the ring on her finger. She lifted up her left hand and smiled fondly at it. The fire opal in the center seemed to glow in the dim light of the fake classroom. From the darker navy and purple on the outside of the stone to the reds fading into the yellow at the center; the entire thing truly did look as though it were made of fire. She was so caught up looking at the stone that she nearly forgot about Draco until she heard his voice again.

"Are you finished with whatever- Oh fuck."

She lowered her hand as he turned around and watched as his gaze raked hungrily down her body. "Sorry, the ring is-"

"Perfect, yes," he interrupted. "On your knees."

"Draco-"

"Now, Granger."

She held his gaze as she sank to her knees, her hands falling into her lap automatically. It had been awhile since she had fallen into submission so readily and the thought of him dominating her in Hogwarts made her knickers damp. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight of her while removing the jacket of his suit. He conjured a rack for it to hang on and then sent it over. He took his time undoing the cuff links of his shirt and rolling his sleeves up towards his elbows. The sight of his forearms with their lean, corded muscles still made her mouth water.

She watched as he drew his wand from his pocket and aimed it at her. Long ago, she would have flinched and assumed only the worst would come from the action, but things were different now. She trusted him completely. The only time he ever hurt her was when she asked him to. A smirk took hold of her lips as he stared down at his wand and then at her with a frown.

"Always one to find a way to defy me, aren't you?" he asked, slipping his wand back into his pocket. "You knew I would want to change your colors to Slytherin, but you're keeping me from doing that." He advanced until she had to crane her neck at a near painful anger to continue holding his gaze. "You want to be punished, don't you?"

"Y-yes, Master."

The way his eyes lit up made her shiver with anticipation. Aside from the occasional trip down memory lane, Hermione hadn't used that moniker for him since they had officially come out as a couple. In this situation, it felt like the right thing to say and judging from his reaction, Hermione was quite pleased with herself.

She continued to hold his gaze as he began to undo his belt. She wet her lips as she forced herself not to look down. It was a surreal to be this aroused from a scenario the two of them had enacted far too many times to count. Even more so when his eyes darkened as he freed himself and slid the tip of his cock along the seem of her lips. She parted them upon feeling the bead of moisture weep from the tip and sighed around him when he hissed at the warmth of her mouth.

"Hands behind your back," he demanded.

Hermione obeyed immediately, her fingers threading together to ensure they stayed where he wanted them. Her lashes fluttered against her cheeks as one of his hands stole down to twine in her hair so he could slide as far back as she could take him. He groaned as he twitched against her tongue. She remained still, breathing through her nose as she waited for him to take control. She didn't have to wait long; his grip tightened on her hair, using it to draw her back and forth so he could fuck her mouth.

"Gods I was so stupid back then," he rasped, his gaze holding hers. "I would have bent you over every desk, fucked you against every bookshelf, and made you scream my name in every corner of this castle." She moaned around his cock and hollowed her cheeks, her thighs shifting as her own core clenched with the need to be filled. "Touch yourself."

She brought her hands immediately back to her lap and pulled her skirt up. She left her knickers on, wanting him to be the one to take them off. She simply pushed them to the side and moaned again as her fingers found her clit.

"Imagine all those times you were on patrol as a Prefect," he drawled, keeping a slow and steady pace with his thrusts. "I could have spent the whole night teasing you; bringing you to the edge." They both groaned. "Or I could have fucked you at the start and made you do your patrol with my cum dripping out of your pretty little cunt."

Hermione's head arched back, releasing his cock with an audible pop as her thighs clamped around her own hand; her whimpers turning to full on cries as she came for him. She had barely even finished before she found herself being lifted up. When she came to a stop, she was bent over the desk in the center of the room and he had barely lifted her skirt, her knickers disappearing, before his hand cracked across her rear, making her yelp.

"We can do that right now," he stated as he nudged her to widen her stance before lining himself up behind her. He snapped his hips and filled her with one hard stroke. They both groaned together, but he gave her no time to adjust before he set a brutal pace. "I'm going to fill you up and we'll go back to the Great Hall. We're going to be the last ones to leave and you'll have to look everyone in the eye with my cum dripping down your legs."

Hermione's moans were becoming louder at the thought of it all. "Draco-"

"Do not come until I tell you to," he demanded, his hand coming down across her rear again, giving it a hard squeeze at the end. "Gods, I can't wait to spend forever with you. You're fucking perfect."

"Draco, please… I can't…"

She tried. She really did, but in the end, she couldn't hold back her release a second longer. It crashed over her and she hoped there was no one in the corridor beyond the room because there was no way that they hadn't heard her if they were. He collapsed at her back, his cock twitching inside of her as he filled her up just like he said he would. They stayed that way for quite some time and she was grateful for the desk to hold herself up on as her legs were trembling something fierce.

When Draco moved, he pulled her with him, turning her so he could kiss her until her head spun. Only when they needed to breathe did he pull away and retrieve her knickers from wherever he had vanished them to. As she reached for her wand, he quickly plucked it from her hand and placed it in his pocket with his own.

"I meant it, Granger, you can clean it up when we get home."

"Yes, Master," she replied, a wicked grin on her face.

His eyes widened and he leaned in for another kiss, hovering his lips over hers. "Careful or we may never leave the castle."

She continued to smile through the kiss and squirmed as he pulled her to him, causing more of their coupling to leak out of her and into the overflowing fabric. "Are you going to continue to call me Granger after we're married?" she asked as she pulled away.

"Depends on the situation," he replied without missing a beat as he laced their fingers together and pulled her towards the door. "Are you going to take my last name?"

She frowned at the hint of surprise in his tone. "Why wouldn't I?" He held her gaze for a moment and gave a shrug that she knew meant he was trying to hide his feelings. She stopped him from opening the door and placed her hands on either side of his face. "I love you, Draco. You've worked so hard to make sure your family name doesn't have the same stigma it did when you were younger. I'm honored that you want me to be your wife and I can't wait to prove it to you by taking your last name."

She gasped as he pinned her up against the door and covered her mouth with his. His tongue swept repeatedly over hers as his hands roamed her sides. "I fucking love you, Hermione."

"I love you too," she replied breathlessly as she rested her forehead against hers. "Come on, I have a punishment to endure."

He shook his head adamantly. "Fuck it," he said, pushing the door open and taking hold of her hand. "We're going home so we can celebrate some more. I'll punish you later."

She laughed as he pulled her through the castle at top speed, not stopping until they were beyond the wards so he could Apparate them home and carry out their celebration in the privacy of their own home.