So I am still on vacation (I'll be headed back home after the weekend) but I took time once again out of my trip to write and post this chapter. It is not quite as long as the last few, but it is still 6k so I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to review last chapter: Akat x Deidara , NazChick, RotcehM , mmiller0000 , CatPeach. jacpin2002, Dauntless10 , Qween87, ALIASTESIN, HumbleHuffle, LovEToReadit, WeAllFallDown2003,IanAlphaAxel, Fanficfan826, Ayr , Jen7, mega700201, frizzy-wizzy-oringina, apls79, Aid4, ReaperofSouls22 , addictedtoloveandfiction , lady alegria , blackdeath49, Simione88 and guests "DramioneDestiny", "Who" and "D" I appreciate each and every one of you.

This chapter is dedicated to : tomfeltonswifey Thank you for your support and positive reviews and for sticking around, I appreciate you very much.

Chapter 46: The Reunion

Draco stood looking at the person pretending to be the woman he loved. His wand pressing to the center of her forehead while she stood motionless, eyes closed, waiting for him to believe what she was saying.

But what she's saying is impossible, Draco shook his head mentally.

He wanted to hope.

He wanted to believe.

It was reckless and wrong to entertain such thoughts.

I can't lose her again, I won't survive.

Drawn to the noise Narcissa appeared at the door, wand raised and at the ready.

She stepped in through the threshold towards her son.

"What's wrong? I heard yelling," she said as she took in the scene before her and then her eyes darkened landing on Hermione.

Draco watched as Hermione's eyes shot open at his mother's voice. Hermione backed up several steps raising her wand in the guard position facing Narcissa while still leaving herself completely vulnerable to any attack from Draco.

I could just take out the imposter now…

"You," Narcissa said to Hermione twisting her wand angrily. "You let them torture him."

"I didn't, I swear I didn't know. I was unconscious," Hermione's voice was pleading and apologetic at the same time.

"A likely story," Narcissa stepped further into the room, closer to Draco, clearly maneuvering in order to get the upper hand and protect her son at the same time.

"It's true!" Hermione protested. "When I took the curse from Draco it nearly killed me. I was in a coma for days."

Draco felt a pounding begin in his temples.

It couldn't be true. She couldn't be alive…could she?

You saw her die…

I saw her stop moving, the hopeful part of him said quietly. I was knocked off the bed before I had a chance to check for a pulse.

She took a curse that was killing you, his mind argued back. And it killed her. Think about what Ron said.

That caused Draco to pause.

Ron had not said that Hermione was dead only that Draco would never see her again...

"And how exactly did you take the curse from him? Hmmm?" asked Narcissa clearly not believing a word the younger witch was saying.

Draco felt something burning deep inside his chest and he felt the tattoo above his heart heating.

"She took it through the bind," Draco found himself saying the words without thinking they simply tumbled out of his mouth.

"Yes," said Hermione, her eyes darting towards him. She looked back to Narcissa quickly "I went inside Draco and I pulled the curse out and took it myself."

"And why would you do that?" snapped Narcissa. "Why aren't you dead instead?"

"She did die," said Draco. "This isn't the real Hermione." The words didn't sound right coming out of his mouth. The logical part of his mind told him that what he was saying was true…but his heart...his heart was getting other ideas.

"Yes I am!" protested Hermione addressing only Draco. "How else would I know all this?"

She has a point.

Your the one who just said out loud that she took the curse through the bond, she could just be running with it.

Draco's mind scrambled looking for excuses.

"You didn't answer my question as to why," said Narcissa twisting her wrist and her wand threateningly at Hermione.

"Go on," said Draco holding Hermione's gaze as he tried to sort out his own thoughts. "Answer her," he ordered.

"I took the curse through the bind because I owe Draco my life," said Hermione swallowing. Draco could hear in her voice that she wasn't fully telling the truth. "I thought it would kill me," she admitted and he heard the truth there. "Once it was inside me and I was fighting it I noticed it wasn't getting any stronger and that's when I realized…" she looked back to Draco. "The curse fed off the dark mark," she looked back to Narcissa. "And I don't have a dark mark for it to feed off of."

Silence hung in the room.

"You expect me to believe you were willing to die for my son after he raped you?" Narcissa's tone was full of accusation.

"I didn't rape her," said Draco

"He didn't rape me," said Hermione at the same time.

Draco's eyes met Hermione's and his heart shuddered inside his chest.

"Greyback saw," said Narcissa. "There is no point in denying it," her attention swung to Draco for the first time in the conversation. "What you did was wrong, and shameful, but to deny it is even worse."

"He's not lying," said Hermione. "He made an illusion, that's what Greyback saw."

"You expect me to believe he made an illusion convincing enough to fool Greyback in a matter of minutes?"

"Show her," said Hermione turning back to Draco. Her voice was pleading. "Show her the spell you used."

Even if it wasn't her Draco didn't know if he could resist giving into to the image of Hermione asking him for help.

She's your weakness, he told himself. There are people in the order who know that, they could be using her against you.

She's your strength, another part of him argued back.

"I don't know how it will work on someone who is using polyjuice potion to impersonate a dead girl."

"I'M NOT IMPERSONATING HERMIONE GRANGER. I AM HERMIONE GRANGER!" Hermione yelled causing Narcissa to go back to high alert. "You're such a stubborn git sometimes Malfoy!"

The tone of her voice as she yelled at him was too spot on.

"Praestrogiae de Verum Vitae," Draco cast waving his wand. He watched as the spell settled over the woman in front of him and then made a direct replica which stepped away and off to the side. Both the original and the spell looked at Draco waiting.

It was more than a little disconcerting to have two of her there in front of him especially since the last time that had happened had been a horrible night...one that he wanted to forget...and yet...one that had made Hermione finally put some trust in him.

"Where and when did you learn that spell?" asked Narcissa and if Draco wasn't mistaken he thought he could hear a little bit of pride in his mother's voice.

"I read about it while at Hogwarts," he answered her with a shrug. "And I practiced it in Snape's class…he wasn't too please that I had left an image at my desk."

"I would imagine not," said Narcissa and she eyed Hermione up and down. "So does this prove it's the muggle-born then?" she asked and Draco noted that while she was still commenting on birth she wasn't using the slur he had grown up hearing.

"It should," said Hermione.

"No," said Draco

"And why not?" asked the first Hermione crossing her arms. The illusion followed suit a moment later and Draco dismissed the illusion quickly not wanting to have two of her staring at him with those eyes.

Those eyes that made it so hard for him to doubt that she was here for real.

"Because Hermione could have told Fred about what happened with the illusion before he left," said Draco.

"And you think Fred would let someone else impersonate me in order to get to you?" Hermione's voice had an odd sadness to it while asking.

"Fred is a member of the order," said Draco. "I wouldn't blame him for having loyalties to them over me."

Hermione let out a huff and rolled her eyes exasperated.

"Fred went to bat for you against everyone else," said Hermione glowering at him. "And he is the one who gave me a wand to come and find you."

"How can I believe that when nothing you have said isn't anything more than what he might have known and passed on?" Draco extended a hand out towards her. "What if this is simply his revenge? He knew how I felt about you and blames me for your death and so he is sending someone to punish me by showing up looking like…" Draco bit his tongue before he could say 'the woman I love' in front of his mother. "For all I know you could be Fred."

"I am NOT Fred," said Hermione exasperated. "I said before and I'll say it again. What do I have to do to make you believe?"

Draco felt his mother's eyes on him.

The only way that he was going to believe that the woman standing in front of him really was the woman he loved was if she let him into her mind so he could know it really was her through use of the bind.

It could be a trap, he reminded himself.

Going into someone else's mind...messing with anyone's mind could be the worst kind of trap.

He couldn't risk it.

There had to be another way.

He could have real proof if she she said something only Hermione would know.

Something that she could not have possibly told the Weasely twin.

Did he really stick up for me? Draco found himself thinking hopefully and then dismissed the thought angrily.

Don't be stupid.

The only thing that she could say that he would believe was from the last conversation that had happened between him and Hermione inside his head.

Draco glanced at his mother.

Narcissa Malfoy would not want to hear anything that Hermione was going to say…if in fact this was the real Hermione.

Because the last things that he had talked about with her involved him confessing his love for her and her insane response of taking the curse back through the bind with her

Draco felt his chest seize as he remembered laying there helpless unable to stop her. Unable to protect her and save her.

He had failed when it had mattered most...he hadn't been strong enough.

"Draco?" Narcissa's voice cut through the memories tormenting him.

He wanted it to be Hermione so badly.

He wanted to believe.

Don't be stupid, he repeated to himself, but it was too late. The flicker of hope had taken hold in him and he could not help perusing it.

"If…" he started and found himself swallowing, "If it really is you…" He closed his eyes and took a breath. When he opened them he set his jaw in a tight line. "If it really is you tell me the last thing that you said in my head before you grabbed hold of the dark and took it back through the bind."

There was an agonizing silence in response and then Hermione looked at him and he knew even before she opened her mouth that it was the real her just by the look in her eyes.

No one could tear him open with their eyes like she could.

No one could look at him and make him feel like they saw everything.

"Thank you for you love Draco, It is the greatest gift I have ever been given."

Draco closed his eyes and let the reality of the situation wash over him.

She was alive.

It was real.

"What?" His mother's voice broke through the warmth pumping through his veins. He watched as she turned her wand on Hermione and then Draco found himself moving before he could think.

He stood in front of Hermione blocking her with his entire body as his mother pointed her wand at the woman Draco loved.

"Don't" He pleaded.

"You can't love her!" Narcissa cried. Draco heard the agony in her voice.

"I do," he answered and he put an arm back holding Hermione in place when she would have walked around him.

Please stay behind me where it's safe, he pleaded with her silently.

He would not lose her again.

"She's a mudblood!" said Narcissa reverting to the dirty slur.

"Don't call her that," Draco shot.

"Move out of the way Draco," ordered Narcissa. "This witch has done something to you."

"Yes she has," answered Draco. "She made me into the man I am today. The man who is strong enough to fight for what he knows is right. The man who isn't afraid anymore-not of anything except losing her."

Draco watched as his mother trembled.

He knew that if he was going to break through to his mother that now was the time.

"She was willing to die for me," he said more gently. "Isn't that worth something?"

"But…" Narcissa blinked and he watched as his mother's breathing became erratic.

This was everything that a pure-blood witch of her birthright would be against.

This was everything his mother had stood against her whole life.

She had disowned her own sister Andromeda over this and here was her son standing in front of her declaring his love for someone who they had all believed could never be worth of someone 'Pure'

"Mother please…" he pleaded.

Please, don't make me choose between the two of you.

Because now that Narcissa was no longer under Voldemort's thumb...now that he wasn't worried about saving the life of the woman who had loved and raised him, he would make a different decision...he would choose Hermione.

Narcissa shook her head.

"How could you?" she asked and Draco could see in his mother's eyes that his actions felt like a betrayal to her.

His love for Hermione felt like a betrayal to Narcissa.

His mother had given up everything for him and now here he was throwing his love for Hermione in her face like a rejection of everything Narcissa had done for him for his entire life.

"Mom, I love you…"Draco found himself saying and he heard a hitch in his own voice.

You need to make her understand or you'll lose her in order to keep Hermione.

She'll never understand...

You didn't understand...not until someone showed you how wrong you were to think of others as less.

"You've given up everything for me…" Draco continued and he glanced back at Hermione and he felt her lift a hand to place on his back in support. He looked back to his mother. "But so has she." his throat felt tight and still he pressed on "She fought for the redemption of my soul mum. I know she had to have gone against her friend to come back here to me…and she…she was willing to give up everything…to die for me…even after everything I put her through."

"I know you did it to protect me," said Hermione quietly enough that Draco knew his mother would not have heard. Still her words lent him strength.

"But…she's not like us…" Narcissa protested weakly.

"No, she's not," said Draco. "She doesn't have the breeding of a Black or a Malfoy. She doesn't have years of magical blood in her veins and yet she was top of all her classes. They call her the brightest witch of her generation. More than that though," said Draco. "She is brave and fearless and courageous and headstrong and, Stubborn." Draco shook his head. "You shouldn't be worried about whether or not she deserves someone 'pure' like me mother. You should be worried about how I could ever deserve someone as incredible, intelligent and strong as her."

Draco's words hung in the air and slowly Narcissa lowered her wand.

She took several deep breaths.

Draco waited knowing that whatever his mother would decide he had said all that he could.

While his father had never been someone who would ever come around to the idea of him loving someone like Hermione he knew that there was the smallest chance that his mother might…if for no other reason than Hermione had been willing to do just as much as Narcissa in order to protect him.

That was the one thing he knew the two women in the room had in common; they both-for some reason-seemed to love him more than reason should allow.

Narcissa took a final deep breath and then she lifted her chin.

"I'm going to go now," she said. "I have…to…I have to go," and with that she dissaperated leaving Draco and Hermione alone together.

Draco took in his mother's reaction for a moment.

She hadn't tried to stun Draco and kill Hermione.

She hadn't yelled and screamed and disowned him.

But she hadn't accepted his words and embraced them either.

It could have been much worse.

The awareness of Hermione behind him became a pull too strong to resist and he turned towards her slowly.

She was here, she was alive standing in front of him looking up at him with those enchanting eyes.

"You're alive," he said stating the obvious.

"Yes," she said and placed both of her hands, palm open, on his bare chest.

"How?" he asked putting away his wand and covering her hands with his own.

If felt so good to touch her and be touched by her. Nothing had ever felt better.

"I told you, the curse needed a dark mark to feed off of in order to grow," she said gently. "It was only a matter of time before I was able to beat it back." She looked up at him and Draco felt himself falling into her eyes.

I love you, he thought and meant it to the depths of his soul.

"I thought I had lost you," he said and he dropped his head down so that their foreheads were touching. He wanted to be closer. He needed to be closer to her.

"You didn't," she said closing her eyes, he felt her shift a little closer. "I'm right here."

"I missed you," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "So bad. Every day, it was like a never ending ache inside my chest," he rubbed his forehead against hers and he felt her hands flex against his chest.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"What are you apologizing for?" he asked pulling back.

"For not coming sooner," she said looking intently at him. "I thought…I didn't know why you didn't come back for me…these last few weeks I kept wondering where you were and if you…how you could just go on without me."

"I didn't want to go on without you," said Draco shaking his head. "And then I dreamed about you and you made me promise to go on living….to live for you."

"Oh Draco," Hermione said his name fervently and closed the distance between them wrapping her arms around him and holding him so tightly.

"I promised I would…" he said and swallowed. "I've been hunting down deatheaters. Trying to make a difference to help your friends in the only way that I could. I knew they wouldn't accept my help. I knew they wouldn't believe me after what happened in the camp."

"I'm sorry about what happened," said Hermione and she leaned her torso back so she could look at him while keeping her arms wrapped tightly around him. "I swear I never would have let it happen. I was unconscious…and Fred…Fred…he didn't come back till later. As soon as he found out what was happening he tried to put a stop to it but then your mother came and…"

"Fred tried to stop his own brother?" asked Draco surprised.

Fred had stood up for him? Had tried to help him? An almost memory from back in the camp came to him, flickering on the edge of his thoughts. He could almost hear Fred's voice. Had Fred come to him while he was laying on the ground in the mud?

"Of course," said Hermione as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Fred cares about you...and...what Ron did was wrong."

"He thought I had hurt you."

"That's no excuse."

"It kind of is," said Draco. "I was like Greyback in his mind. An animal to be put down."

"You're nothing like that monster!" Protested Hermione stepping back. Draco immediately ached for her in his arms.

"He thought I was," said Draco. "He knew I tortured you and he found you in my bed. He thought I had…" Draco couldn't bear to say those words out loud. "I don't blame him," he finally finished.

Why the hell are you defending the redheaded git?

"Well I do," said Hermione looking away.

"You shouldn't. He loves you."

"Not like you do!" protested Hermione. "If he loves me…it's as a friend or because he wants me…you, you love me like breath," said Hermione. "Look at what you've done for me!" she said her voice raising. "Look at what you've become for me! How could I ever deserve a love like yours?"

"Don't you ever say that," said Draco stepping forward and grabbing hold of her. "I have only become someone worthy of love BECAUSE of you."

"You were always worthy of love Draco," she touched his cheek gently and he felt his soul stir at the touch.

"Not love like yours," he said softly and he watched as Hermione shifted.

She just came back to you, don't push her away.

"It's okay," he said gently. "You don't have to say it."

"But…"

"Shhhh," he put his finger over her lips. "I know I put you through hell long before you came to the manor. I don't blame you for not saying it back. It doesn't matter….what matters is that you are here now and no matter how you feel I love you. Whatever you need Hermione. I am yours. Till the end of time. I am yours."

Draco watched as a single tear leaked out of her eye and he wiped it away gently with the pad of his thumb.

"I need you," she said, half on a sob.

"I'm here," he said and pulled her into his arms.

"I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about you," she said into his chest. "You're like the second half of my heartbeat."

"You're every beat of mine," he answered back stroking her hair.

They stayed like that for several moments, just holding each other. Each one needed the strength that they seemed to draw from being close to each other. They each made the other stronger…better and after so much…they both needed a moment to just bask in the comfort of each other's arms.

"Draco?" Hermione asked breaking the silence.

"What?" he answered his hand stilling in her hair.

"What's with the tattoo?"

Draco pulled back.

He felt a lump build in his throat.

"I gave myself this tattoo a few days after my mother rescued me," said Draco.

"Its beautiful...but why?"

"Look closely," he said and stepped back.

She looked down at him and her finger sought out his skin. He trembled at her touch watching the curious expression on her face as she examined him.

He could see the moment she recognized her initials in the feathers. She looked up at him and he gave a slight nod, and then she was grabbing hold of him-her hand snaking behind his ears as she yanked his head down so that their lips met.

Her name was branded on his skin.

She couldn't get over it as she kissed him. The feel of his lips was everything; they were soft and yet his mouth was firm. She opened her mouth as she held his head captive between her fingers.

Draco answered the invitation and his mouth opened, matching her. She let her tongue dart out hesitantly to meet his soliciting a moan from Draco. His arms constricted around her and Hermione felt a small thrill knowing that he wanted her.

Hermione felt one of Draco's hands climb and fist in her hair and suddenly her head was being pulled back as his lips left her mouth and began to trail down her neck. Hermione trembled as her skin woke up under his touch, tingles jumping to the surface of her skin wherever he lingered long enough to kiss. He paused at the base of her neck where it sloped down towards her shoulder and kissed there letting his tongue dart out to taste her.

"Tell me you want this," he said into her skin.

"I want you," she answered immediately, automatically.

Draco pulled back to look at her. His grip easing in her hair so that she could drop her chin slightly to look at him.

"Do you want this, though?" he said his eyes intense.

She could see the lust in them, being pushed to the back burner in favor for concern over what she actually wanted.

What do you want? Her mind questioned.

She had come here to be with him…

But did that mean she wanted to sleep with him?

Hell yes it does, her body seemed to scream at her. He was so close and everything about him made her want him. Not just the beautiful hard body and gentle face next to her but the heart and soul it housed.

He loves you, the part of her mind that was afraid told her. There is nothing he wouldn't do for you. If you told him no, he wouldn't be mad. He would still love you if you said you wanted to wait.

That reassurance and the fact that he was asking now if she was okay made the decision easier for Hermione because it truly was her choice.

There was no pressure no demand: Only love.

While thinking her hands had fallen away and Draco had eased back from her, his hand falling down to the nape of her neck while the other rested gently at her waist.

Suddenly Draco was backing away from her and she realized that once again she had spent too much time in her own head and Draco had switched over to thinking the worst.

"I'm sorry," he said shaking his head. "I shouldn't have presumed. I just…" he shoved a hand through his hair. "I love you. I know you don't feel the same…you came here and…you're alive and I just got lost in it."

"Draco," she reached out for him.

"It's okay," he said shaking his head. "I just need a minute."

"Draco!" Hermione half yelled stopping him. She was not going to let any more miscommunications stand in between them.

"What?" asked Draco.

"I kissed you!" she said pointedly and stepped forward. "You aren't pushing your desires and wants on me. I feel the same way about you…" she swallowed the truth bubbling up inside her.

Say it, say it out loud, her mind ordered.

Hermione had never even allowed herself to say those three words inside her head about Draco. Being away from him these last weeks did nothing but made her feelings more obvious. She hadn't fallen for him in the manor because of being his captive…she had fallen for him because of the man he had become…the man who had saved her.

And now here he was weeks later…stronger. Telling her that while he had thought she was dead he was keeping a promise he had made to her in his mind to help her friends when she couldn't.

He was battling the dark for her even when she wasn't there to be his light.

How could she not love him?

He was everything.

Hermione watched as Draco took a hesitant step towards her.

"Draco…" she said his name in an almost pleading tone. "Please."

"Please what?" he asked coming to stand right next to her. He raised his hand and smoothed a lock of hair away from her face. "I've said it before…you can ask me for anything Hermione. Anything I can give I will. Everything I am is yours." He repeated that sentiment that made everything inside Hermione want to beam with joy and cry at the same time.

She wanted him for hers, for always.

"Then give me all of you," she said and kissed him again.

Draco kissed her back.

"You're sure?" he mumbled between kisses.

"Yes," she breathed back because she was. She knew down to her bones that she wanted this. She wanted him.

All of him.

Forever.

Draco's kisses became more insistent and a moment later Hermione found herself backed up against the wall caged in by his beautiful body. He pressed himself fully against her then and she felt his hardness between them. Her mind went to the dream she had, had about him at Hogwarts-the one where he had pressed her up against the stone pillar and worked her body until she came against his leg.

She let out a moan as his mouth met her neck again this time sucking on the flesh by her shoulder. Her hands dug into his shoulders and she felt a fine tremble go through her.

"You like that huh?" he asked, his voice was slightly breathy.

"Yes," she managed and arched into him. She felt Draco shudder and he ground his hips into her.

Heat pooled at Hermione's core.

It was so much better than a dream.

His skin was so warm and soft under her hands. She was happy that he was already shirtless so she could enjoy the beauty of his torso and the access to his flesh. Hermione leaned forward herself and pressed her lips to the base of Draco's neck mirroring his actions. She licked and sucked the skin there and she felt the rumble of approval in his throat.

As she kissed his neck she felt Draco's hands shift. While he kept her pinned against the wall with his hips he brought his hands up to her chest cupping her breasts over her shirt and bra. She left her nipples harden under the cups and wondered if he could tell through the light padding. Her breast felt suddenly heavy and achy beneath his hands.

It had never been like this with Viktor or Ron.

She had never felt this needy achy pull. When she was with them she had followed their lead and sometimes it felt kind of nice…but this…

She wanted to tear the remainder of Draco's clothes off and claw at him to alleviate the growing ache.

Draco's hands dropped from her breasts and immediately Hermione wanted them back. She let out a small sound of protest in the back of her throat.

Draco gave her a wry and knowing smile and for a moment Hermione was reminded that he had more experience in this than she did. Lots more if his reputation around school had, had any truth to it.

His hands went down to the hem of her shirt and combined with that last thought she suddenly felt shy. Here Draco was in front of her, all bare chested and cut muscles…and she was just…herself. He lifted the hem upwards and she raised her arms automatically-letting it happen more than wanting it too. She turned her head away not wanting to see if the first look from him was disappointment.

"Hey," said Draco and he took hold her chin gently and turned her head back to him. "You know you can tell me to stop at any point and I will."

"It's not that," she said shaking her head. She did however like the reassurance.

"Then what is it?"

"It's just…" she felt her cheeks flame. "I mean look at you!"

Draco shifted back.

"Okay?" Draco frowned.

Hermione let out an exasperated snort.

"You're gorgeous, you're handsome and you're fit as fuck and I'm just…" she gestured to herself.

"Oh hell no," said Draco. "You are not being self-depreciating. You are the most beautiful woman in the world to me Hermione." He stepped forward and kissed her soundly until she found herself breathless and then he stepped back again. Her arms shot out to stop him, but he evaded them easily.

"Look again," said Draco. "What else do you see?"

Hermione blinked, not sure what she was supposed to be looking for and then he was reaching out and taking hold of her hand and placing it over his heart on the beautiful wing of the Phoenix tattoo: the one with her initials in its feathers.

"You…" he said. "You're in my heart and you're on my skin. Don't ever think for a single second that I see you as less than fucking perfect."

"But I'm not perfect," she protested. "I'm human and I make mistakes and I'm too stubborn."

Draco kissed her again his hands running up and down her sides until she was shivering.

"You're still perfect to me," he said when he broke the kiss. He pressed his forehead to hers. "And yes, you are god-awfully stubborn, but it's one of the things I love about you even if it is sometimes infuriating as all hell." He kissed her nose and then shifted back. "You're my everything…" he let his gaze flicker down and then his hands came up and covered her breasts over her bra. "And even if you weren't….this is still a great rack."

Hermione let out a small laugh and rolled her eyes.

"Okay," she said closing her eyes for a moment and rubbing her forehead against him.

"Okay," he said and pulled her in close for a hug.

Hermione closed her eyes and welcomed the warmth of him.

She felt safe.

She always wanted to feel this way.

"We don't have to keep going," said Draco giving her a gentle squeeze, though the hardness between them told her how much he wanted to.

"I want to," said Hermione "It's just…"

"A little fast?" asked Draco.

"No."

"Then what?"

"I really don't know what I'm doing."

Her words hung in the air for a moment and she felt Draco shift and then he slowly pulled back from the hug in order to be able to look her in the eyes.

"Are you worried I'm going to be comparing you to the people I've slept with before?" asked Draco frowning.

"Well I wasn't, but now that you mention it," said Hermione and she felt her cheeks heat.

"Don't" he said sharply. "None of them meant anything even close to what you mean to me." He touched her cheek gently. "I don't care if you don't have a lot of experience," said Draco. "I'm happy just to be able to be with you, to get to touch you." She could hear that he meant every word and see it in his face.

A little of her worry slipped away.

He really did love her.

"Well good," she said and then admitted: "Because I don't have…experience."

Draco hesitated and Hermione watched as he took in her words.

"You mean you don't have much experience," said Draco.

"No…." Hermione was sure she was going red as a bloody tomato. This conversation was getting far too awkward. She wanted to grab her shirt and haul it back on and crawl away.

"Hermione," Draco reached for her holding her as if she might break.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," he ordered his voice firm.

"But I made it awkward."

"Fuck, I don't care about that…" he said somewhat exasperated, then he gentled clearly worried how it it had come off to her. "I mean I care that you seem to be bothered and I don't want you to be upset…" he seemed to be searching for words.

She suddenly wanted to reassure him, let him know that it was okay, that it wasn't his fault.

"I don't know how to do this Draco," she covered her face with her hands feeling embarrassed for even bringing it up.

You started this you have to finish it, you promised no more miscommunications.

"I'm sorry I…I don't know what I'm doing….at all." She admitted the words coming tumbling out.

Just say it dammit, she ordered herself. Its better that he knows.

He'll understand.

But I don't want him to get all noble and lose him over it.

He loves you...

Her heartbeat raced inside her chest and she looked up at him.

"I've never done this before…." she said softly. "With anyone… Ever."

Yes it's a cliff-hanger but I swear I'm not trying to be a dick. I want to give a really nice and in depth and emotionally charged scene for when Draco and Hermione get together physically. I don't plan on glossing over things. Hopefully you will thank me for that decision next chapter.

On a similar note, about my choice to make it that Hermione is a virgin… I consider myself very sex-positive and don't think Hermione 'Needs" to be a virgin, however, I didn't see things as going super far with Viktor (though they may have done a little) and Ron and he never really "Got together" by this point in the books/movies…so I'm writing her this way because to me it's what makes sense. And as far as Draco having experience well…that's the Draco I'm writing in this fic because it's what makes sense in my head for him.

Hope you enjoyed the steamy sections of this chapter and how everything else panned out for Narcissa finding out and how Draco handled it. If you enjoyed this chapter please share some love in a review.