A/N: Thanks as always for your patience with this one. I've been having fun writing it, but my muses haven't been the most cooperative recently. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I think it's a fun one!

Thanks as always to BiscuitsForPotter for being the best alpha/beta!

When Draco arrived home from work on Monday, he couldn't believe the pile of letters that sat by his open window. His heart immediately sank into his stomach. Had someone died? What was the meaning of all this post?

He dropped his briefcase on the coffee table and then hurried to open the letters. They all bore the same tidy script and were written on the same, slightly yellowing parchment.

He opened one.

Draco, can't wait to see you tonight! —Hermione

Were these all from Granger? Draco eyed the pile of letters. There had to be at least ten of them. He opened another.

D, I have a surprise for you tonight! —Hermione

Draco, I hope you're having a good day! I miss you! —H

D, Do you miss me? —H

D, How's your day going? —Hermione

Draco, What are we going to do tonight? I can't wait to see you! —Hermione

Eyes wide and palms sweaty, Draco reached for another letter. Luckily, the Floo roared to life, offering him a lucky reprieve. He turned to see Granger stepping out of the fireplace brushing soot from a pretty green dress.

"Hi, honey!" she chirped with a grin. She carried her beaded bag as usual and a potted flower.

He quickly reminded himself to be charming. "Hello, beautiful."

Granger stepped around the coffee table to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"What's this?" Draco asked, gesturing towards the potted plant.

Granger's face lit up and she held it out for him to take. "It's a baby orchid! I got it from a magical shop in Diagon Alley that specialises in rare flowers. It's meant to bloom when things are going well for a couple, but will wilt when things are on the rocks. We'll have to take very good care of it… just like our relationship."

Draco's heart sank. Just what he needed, a visual representation to tell Granger when he wasn't genuine with his affections. Quickly, he forced a smile. "It's beautiful. Do you want me to keep it here?"

She leaned in, placing a hand affectionately on his chest as she gazed at the flower. "I thought it might look nice in your bedroom window. It would get a lot of sunlight there. And also, that way you'd get to see it every morning when you woke up."

Hoping that the flower wasn't too sensitive, or that it at least had a delayed effect, Draco nodded and moved away to place the flower in his bedroom.

Sitting in his window, the flower looked perfectly innocent, but knowing that it had the power to derail his entire plan had his stomach twisting painfully.

He returned to the living room to see Granger sitting on the couch smiling at him mischievously. "So, I did something kind of mad today."

"Oh?" Draco's heart quickened. He was already beginning to suspect that Granger was, in fact, mad. So to hear her say that she had done something that she described as such was somewhat concerning. "Would you like some wine?"

Granger nodded as she reached into her bag.

Draco retreated to the kitchen to pour two glasses for them. He hadn't seen Granger truly drunk yet, but could only hope that she was a quiet drunk. It would be a welcome reprieve.

As he poured, Granger's voice drifted in from the living room. "So Weasley's Wizard Wheezes has a new product. It's similar to their Patented Daydream Charms, except it shows a future which may actually be possible, not just one you hope for."

Draco walked back into the living room, eyeing the witch on his couch with some trepidation. "Oh?"

Granger patted the spot on the couch next to her with an expectant smirk.

Feeling a bit like he was being led to the gallows, he sank down beside her and offered her a glass. She took a small sip before setting it on the coffee table. She held out a small phial. "If we both drink half, we'll be able to see it together, I thought that might be fun. We can see our children!"

Draco's eyes widened. He swallowed thickly, trying to resist the urge to run. "We don't have… children." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

He knew he'd made a mistake as soon as he said it. Granger's lip quivered as she looked at him with betrayal in her eyes. Then she covered her face with her hands and cried.

Terrified, Draco rushed to correct his mistake. "Oh, darling, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

Granger took in a sharp breath and put on a mocking voice. "We don't have children."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. "I'm sorry. I just meant that we don't have children yet. I'd love to see the daydream, honest."

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "Really?"

"Yes, absolutely. Will you show me, please?"

"You don't want to see…"

"I do. I really do. Please show me."

Granger eyed him with suspicion for a moment before her mouth twitched into a smile and she held out the phial. "Remember, only drink half."

Draco nodded and uncorked the small glass, tipping half of the pink liquid into his mouth before handing it to Granger with a grimace. She downed the rest before grabbing hold of his hand and leaning into his side.

Soon, Draco's vision blurred and he felt himself slipping into a dream-like state. Granger stayed by his side, holding fast to his hand as his flat faded around them and was replaced by a sun-soaked meadow.

Draco looked around to see a group of people dressed in fine robes seated on a well-trimmed lawn all facing an ornately decorated gazebo where he and Granger stood. With a sickening jolt, he realised that he was witnessing their wedding. Granger wore a gown so hideous that he was sure it would make Pansy vomit. It was four times the size she was, with poofy sleeves and enough tulle and lace to make her look like a giant cauldron cake.

Draco noticed that his own smile looked somewhat forced while Granger was grinning like a loon at him.

"Ooh! This must be our wedding. Look how happy we are!" The Granger next to him squeezed his hand tighter and bounced up and down on the balls of her feet.

Draco forced a smile at her before turning back to the version of himself that was marrying the cauldron cake Granger. He felt sick.

The image soon faded away, and was replaced by a far more nauseating image.

They were in a small home this time, sitting on a plush couch. They sat peacefully together, but around them, two small children ran in circles, screaming bloody murder. Draco fought a grimace as one of the children, a small boy with front teeth too large and ugly, dirty blonde curls, screamed and threw a stuffed dragon down on the floor in front of his parents. The little girl, who had much more attractive, sleek brown hair, but an unfortunately asymmetrical face cried on the floor, pouting for sweets.

They were terrors.

"Aww, look how cute they are, Drakey!" Granger cooed, curling into his side.

He grimaced at her, hoping that it passed as glee as they looked upon their potential future children.

Draco wasn't even sure if he wanted children at all. He had never felt particularly paternal. He always assumed that if he had children at all, it would be out of a sense of duty to carry on the Malfoy name. But looking at these demons, he was never more resolved in his decision to remain childless. These kids had gotten all of his and Grangers worst qualities. Her hair and teeth, his pointy features, and by the looks of it, both of their stubbornness. And none of their better qualities at all.

Granger watched their children scream like banshees for another couple of minutes before the scene around them began to fade away. Soon, they were back in his flat, sitting on his couch, and Draco felt the strong need to run.

She turned to him with the brightest smile. "Wasn't that great?"

He smiled in return, not trusting himself to open his mouth to speak without vomiting.

"It's so special to see what we could have one day, isn't it? You know… if things work out."

"Of course," he choked out with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.

"Don't you think our children are going to be so precious?" Granger gushed, clinging tightly to his arm and looking wistfully into the fireplace. "Little Draco looks so much like you, don't you think? And little Hermione is going to be chasing the boys off with a broom."

Draco's heart pounded in his chest. Every fibre of his being was urging him to run. Granger was too much. Too clingy. Too invested. Too… in love.

Which was what he wanted, wasn't it?

He'd wanted this. He'd asked for this. So why did he feel like he was suffocating under her affection for him?

"I have to use the loo," he said abruptly. He leaned in and kissed her cheek before hurrying away.

Once in the loo, he took a moment to splash some cool water on his face.

There was no doubt in his mind now that Granger was unquestionably and certifiably insane. She may be in love with him, he couldn't be sure, but that could easily change if he began to push her away like he so desperately longed to. He took a few deep breaths, trying to think of a way to keep her at arm's length without breaking her heart.

He dried his face, pulling back when he felt the softness of the towel. Instead of his typical deep green hand towel, it was pink with lace trim. He looked around, noticing for the first time that there were several new items in the room.

There was a plush, purple rug on the floor in front of the sink and a scented candle surrounded by decorative fake flowers on the back of the toilet.

Feeling horrified, he opened his medicine cabinet and saw everything Granger had added to it. Beauty potions, make up, and several products he would rather not imagine being used. Feminine products. He shut the cabinet quickly, catching sight of his own reflection, ashen and wide-eyed, in the mirror.

He couldn't continue like this. Granger was sure to catch on if he stayed. Quickly, he crafted an excuse.

When he returned to the living room, she was grinning at him from the couch, holding one of the ridiculous teddy bears on her lap as if it were a baby. "Drakey, do you have plans tonight?"

Pretending to be disappointed, he sighed. "Actually, I have to go back into work tonight."

Granger's face fell.

"I know. I'm sorry. Blaise has asked for help with a case and I promised I'd go back and help him look over the evidence. It'll probably be a late night for us. Shame, too. I had a meal all planned out for us. No elf labour included."

"Oh, that's too bad." She rose and approached him with a pout. "But you'll owl or Floo later?"

"Tomorrow I definitely will."

She smiled and pressed the teddy bear's face against his cheek as if it were giving him a kiss. "Then I'll talk to you later." She stood on tiptoe and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips, leaving the bear in his arms as she pulled away. Picking up her bag, she headed towards the fireplace. "Bye, honey bear."

As she disappeared, Draco scrubbed his hands over his face. Blaise was working tonight, it was true, but there was no case to help him with. Still, he'd better go by the Ministry just in case Granger somehow checked up on him. She was so clingy, he wouldn't put it past her. He grabbed his cloak and headed back to the Ministry, stopping by his favourite cafe on the way to grab a sandwich for dinner.

"What are you doing here?" Blaise asked as Draco walked through the bull pen to his desk.

"I had to get away from Granger." Draco kept his voice low, craning his neck to look for Pansy. "She's mental! And what's worse is that she's driving me mental as well."

"What's she done this time?"

Draco sighed and pulled his chair over to Blaise's desk before flopping into it. He launched into the story of the Daydream Potion and all of the things Granger had moved into his place. The baby talk. The teddy bears. Everything.

Blaise's eyes grew wider by the minute. "Well, I certainly won't be calling her when you're done with her. Unless you can certify that she's great in bed. Then I'd have to reconsider. I can put up with quite a lot for a wild witch."

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't know, would I?"

Blaise frowned and offered him a sympathetic look. "But you think she's in love with you?"

Draco scoffed. "Are you kidding me? She's planning the wedding." He looked around the nearly-empty Auror department. Just a few of the night-shift Aurors were here with a handful of day-shift Aurors who were completing their paperwork late. "So I told her I had to work late. Mind if I hang around for a bit?"

Blaise chuckled. "Anything to distract me from this mountain of reports I need to finish."

Ginny sipped from her wine glass as Hermione topped off her own. "I can't believe you let him go back to work."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I can't keep him from his job, Ginny. Our so-called relationship isn't that important. Besides, I'm fairly certain he was lying to get rid of me." She laughed. "You should have seen the look on his face after I showed him the Daydream. I should buy George a thank-you gift."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Ginny's mouth. "I'm fairly certain that he views torturing Malfoy as enough of a gift."

"You're probably right."

"But you think Malfoy will dump you soon?"

Hermione shrugged and took a sip of wine. "I'm not sure. I think he's close. But maybe he just needs something big to push him over the edge."

Ginny's eyes glinted. "What do you have in mind?"

"I'm not sure yet."

A slow grin spread over Ginny's face and she lifted her eyebrows mischievously.

"Do you have an idea, Ginny?"

"Oh, I'm so glad you asked."

"So how many teddy bears are currently in your flat?"

Draco scowled at Blaise. "Too many."

Blaise rolled his eyes. "Well, if the answer is more than one, then it's too many. I'm looking for a number, mate."

"Only two that I know of. But she's hidden little frilly things everywhere. I found feminine products in my loo."

Blaise laughed. "Well maybe she needed them! Don't be so squeamish."

Draco leaned back in his chair petulantly. "I'm not squeamish. I have no issue knowing about those items, or even about her… cycles. The issue is that she's moving in. After five days!"

"Maybe her cycles are the reason why she hasn't slept with you yet. Could be why she's acting so barmy too."

"I don't think women are really that different based on their cycles. A bit irritable perhaps, but nothing this extreme. No, mate, the simple fact is that Granger's a loon, and we're all idiots for not noticing sooner."

"Draco?" A high voice drifted through the nearly-empty bullpen. Draco's blood ran cold. He looked around for the source of the voice, but saw nothing.

"Draco!" The voice called again, louder this time.

He stood up, craning his neck over the desks and towards the lifts, but saw no one. He was certain he'd heard Granger.

"It's coming from the Floo, mate." Blaise jerked his head towards the open door to the correspondence room.

Fighting a groan, Draco made his way to the room, acutely aware that Blaise was trailing after him.

Sure enough, Granger's flushed face was poking out of the fireplace. She grinned when he approached and knelt in front of the hearth.

"Hi, sweetie."

"I'm sorry to bother you at work, Drakey." Her speech was slightly slurred, and Draco wondered if she'd been drinking. "I heard a noise and got worried."

"What kind of noise?"

Granger frowned, her eyes flickering around fearfully. "Something outside my door. Like a scratching. Can you come over?"

"You think someone's trying to break in?"

"I don't know. My wards haven't picked anything up, but the noise scared me. Please?"

Draco looked at Blaise, who sent him an encouraging look. "Best not to leave your damsel in distress."

Fighting the urge to roll his eyes, Draco nodded. "Alright. I'll come through."

A moment later, Draco found himself in Granger's tidy living room. Her flat was smaller than his, and appeared to be fastidiously cleaned. The wall across from the couch was lined with floor to ceiling bookshelves.

As soon as he'd brushed the soot from his palms, Granger threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you for coming," she murmured against his neck.

Her speech was slightly slurred and she smelled strongly of wine. Draco pulled back to look at her. She was swaying slightly on her feet.

"Where did you hear the noise?" he asked. Hopefully he would be able to quickly check her wards and then make a swift escape.

Granger pointed to the door, biting her lip nervously.

Draco drew his wand and went to investigate. There was no one at the door, nor any sign that anyone had tried to break in. Her wards were still intact. He did a quick check of all of her other points of entry, including her windows and Floo, before returning to her side. "Everything looks fine here," he announced.

Granger reached out, curling her fingers around his bicep and looking up at him through her eyelashes. "Thank you. I don't know why I get so nervous sometimes."

"It's alright," he grumbled, hoping he didn't sound as irritated as he felt.

"I just feel so safe when you're with me." She stepped into him, wrapping her arms around his middle and pressing her cheek to his chest.

Against his instincts, Draco's heart fluttered. No one had ever claimed to feel safe with him before. He was an Auror, sure, but most of the wizarding world saw him as a threat. An ex-Death Eater who had turned to law enforcement as a way to atone for his past. Safe was not a word usually used to describe him.

He wrapped his arms around her, genuine sentiment for her blooming in his chest for the first time. He pressed a kiss against the top of her head, and she looked up, her eyes meeting his.

She stood on tiptoe and kissed him gently. Returning the kiss in earnest, he cupped her face in his hands, drawing her closer.

Her body was flush against his, and he could feel her curves pressed against his chest.

"Draco," she breathed against his lips, and the sound shot straight to Draco's groin.

He opened his mouth, deepening the kiss as her arms circled his neck. Her tongue swept through his mouth invitingly, and he dropped his hands to the curve of her waist.

"Do you want to stay?" she murmured, pulling away just enough to look at him.

Mouth suddenly dry, he nodded. "Yeah."

She pulled him in again, her kiss more urgent this time. Tightening his grip on her waist, he lifted her up and she circled her legs around his waist. He stepped into the open doorway of the bedroom and dropped her onto the bed.

She landed with a bounce and a giggle, and Draco couldn't help but let his eyes drift over her smooth legs. He dropped one knee onto the mattress next to her and leaned over to kiss her again. Her hands went to his waist, pulling him in as she smiled against his lips.

As he settled over her, Draco let one hand cup the nape of her neck while the other went to her hip. She rolled her body against his, arching her back and drawing him closer.

This was it. This made it all worth it. All of the nightmarish dates and baby talk and clinging to him after so short a time. He could stomach all of it if he were fucking her. Maybe he could keep her in bed every time they were together for the next five days. She couldn't embarrass him in private.

With a gentle push on his shoulder, Granger rolled him onto his back and swung one leg over his hips. She climbed on top of him and leaned down to kiss him again, her hips canting against him so sweetly. Her fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one by one as she pulled back slightly with a smile.

"Does Princess Hufflepuff want to come out to play?" she purred with a mischievous grin.

Draco's brain stuttered, not fully able to comprehend her words while she was undressing him and swiveling her hips on his as she was. "Who's Princess Hufflepuff?"

Granger's eyes travelled down and she pointed to the front of his trousers with a smirk.

In an instant, any ounce of desire in him evaporated. Granger was leaning back down, her fingers continuing to unbutton as her lips attached to his jaw and trailed to his neck. "No, no, no…"

Granger paused, pulling back with a curious expression.

Draco grabbed hold of her wrists to still them. "Granger. You can't name my… cock… Princess Hufflepuff." He wrinkled his nose.

She tilted her head like a confused puppy. "Why not?"

Letting out a laugh of disbelief, Draco extracted himself from beneath her. "If you want to name my cock, it has to be something masculine. Something like… the Basilisk, King of the Chamber of Secrets, hell, I'd even settle for the Sword of Gryffindor. Anything but Princess Hufflepuff."

Granger's eyes lit up. "What did you just say?"

Draco paused. "Basilisk?"

"No. After that. The third one." Her grin stretched wide across her face, something gleeful and a bit teasing in her eyes.

Draco cleared his throat. "Erm… the Sword of Gryffindor."

Granger leaned closer, running one hand up his thigh. "Does the Sword of Gryffindor want to come out to play?" she purred.

Draco grabbed her wrist, closing his eyes to take a bracing breath. "I'm afraid that the sword has been temporarily sheathed."

"Oh," Granger peeped, pulling away. "Okay. Well, in that case, I'd better let you get back to work." She leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips before tapping his nose with one finger. "See you later, honey."

Grinding his teeth, Draco pushed himself to stand, humiliation sweeping through his body like poison. He stepped out of Granger's bedroom and into the corridor. He was seething, but he forced himself to take deep, calming breaths. There were still five more days left in the bet, and though the idea of throwing in the towel was appealing now, he knew he'd never forgive himself for letting Pansy win. He had to endure Granger for a few more days. Humiliation be damned. He had a bet to win.

He sighed, scrubbing his hands over his face, and turned back to the bedroom. "Can I see you tomorrow?" he asked.

Granger looked up sharply, her mouth falling open. "What?" Her voice had lost it's grating, baby tone, and she sounded genuinely shocked.

"I'd like to see you tomorrow," he repeated.

In the blink of an eye, Granger's shock was gone, and he wondered if he'd imagined it. She grinned, a pink blush rising on her cheekbones. "I'd like that too."

"Great. I'll owl you." He forced a smile and then left, hurrying to her Floo and returning home.

"How could he not have broken up with you?" Parvati asked with a frown, dropping a few galleons on the table as they finished lunch.

"Are you sure you're being clingy enough?" Ginny asked.

"Yes!" Hermione exasperated. "Clingy, needy, jealous. My throat is sore from all this baby talk."

"And you did what I told you to, right?" Ginny raised a skeptical brow. "Princess Hufflepuff?"

Hermione nodded. "He hated it. It was such an obvious turn off for him, but he still asked to see me today."

Parvati scowled. "It's so unfair. I once had a man dump me because I owled him the day after our date. He said I was too clingy… over an owl."

"That's ridiculous!" Ginny gasped.

They rose from the table and headed out into Diagon Alley.

Parvati sighed. "Maybe I'm just not pretty enough to be the girl men stick around with."

"Don't be absurd!" Hermione protested. "You're beautiful. And even more importantly, you're brilliant and kind. You have countless strengths. You just haven't met the right person yet."

Parvati didn't seem convinced, but smiled nonetheless.

Hermione bit the inside of her lip as they walked along the row of shops. "Maybe Malfoy is a different breed of man. The small embarrassments don't seem to get to him as much. I think I need to up the ante a little."

"Like this?" Ginny's voice came from behind them.

Hermione turned to see Ginny peering into the window of The Magical Menagerie. She and Parvati walked to meet her and Hermione saw a small pen in the window filled with baby kneazles.

Parvati gasped and leaned forward to get a better look. "They're so cute!"

"Aside from making me feel better, how is this supposed to help?" Hermione asked, eyeing a tiny, fuzzy ginger kitten with wide blue eyes.

"I'm thinking that Malfoy probably isn't looking for a huge commitment. And what better way to make him commit to something than to give him something he has to take care of."

An hour later, Hermione made her way through the Ministry atrium with a pink carrier bag over one shoulder. She smiled as she heard the tiniest mewing from within as she stepped into the lift. Alone in the lift as it carried her down to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Hermione peeked into the bag. The tiny kneazle kitten was within, nestled on one of her old Gryffindor jumpers. He looked up at her with his bright blue eyes and let out a little meow. She reached into the bag and stroked the top of his head with one finger.

As the lift slowed, she pulled the top of the bag closed again and righted the straps on her shoulder. She stepped out into the bustling entry of the DMLE. Aurors, solicitors, and other Magical Law Enforcement workers bustled about. Hermione approached the reception desk, where a bubbly blonde witch greeted her.

"Hi, I'm looking for Draco Malfoy," Hermione said with a smile, her voice going an octave higher.

"I can help her!" A deep voice made Hermione jump. Turning, she saw Blaise Zabini hurrying towards her. He skidded to a halt and stuck out his hand. "Not sure if you remember me. Blaise Zabini. Pleasure to see you again."

Hermione took his hand. "I remember you. Good to see you."

Zabini's eyes raked over her face and body boldly, unabashedly. His lips twitched appreciatively. "The years have been good to you, Granger."

"Thanks," Hermione replied, pushing her irritation aside. "Did you say you know where Draco is?"

"Right this way."

He led her through the crowded bullpen and towards a small conference room where Malfoy stood over a map and a few open files.

His brow was furrowed in concentration as he flipped the page of a file twice. His other hand scrubbed over his face, and Hermione couldn't help but think about how handsome he looked in that moment.

"You look like you could use a pick-me-up," Blaise chirped as he ushered her into the room.

Malfoy let out a scoff as he looked up. As his eyes fell upon Hermione, they widened. A flash of emotion crossed his face in an instant—Surprise? Irritation?—but then it was gone, replaced by a brilliant smile. He closed the files with a wave of his wand and approached her. "Hi. What are you doing here?"

Hermione beamed back at him, standing on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss. "Oh, I was just getting lunch with the girls and thought I'd stop by."

Malfoy's eyes travelled her up and down. "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you. I have a surprise for you."

Another flash of something undefinable in his eyes had Hermione grinning. He was nervous. He swallowed. "Oh really?"

With a grin, Hermione placed her bag on the table and opened the top, allowing the tiny kneazle to hop out.

Malfoy jumped, his eyes widening at the sight of the kitten, which looked up at him with its wide golden eyes and let out a tiny meow.

"You got a cat?" he asked.

Hermione leaned into his side, curling her hand around his bicep. "He's a kneazle, actually. And I got him for you!"

"For me?" He stiffened beside her.

Hermione nodded. The furry kitten toddled on shaky legs around the conference table, treading over files and parchments without care.

"He's cute, Draco," said Blaise from across the table, a wicked grin on his face. "What are you going to name him?"

"Oh, he has a name!" Hermione exclaimed, clapping her hands. "It's Godric!"

Malfoy blinked, a shade of pink blooming high on his cheekbones. "As in…"

Hermione grinned. "Godric Gryffindor. As in the Sword of Gryffindor."

The pink quickly turned to deep red. Blaise burst out laughing. Hermione wondered if Malfoy had told his friend what she'd done.

"A perfect name!" Blaise guffawed, earning him a warning look from Malfoy.

Godric pounced toward Malfoy, who jumped back slightly. Blaise blasted out another laugh. Hermione forced herself not to laugh and reached out to scratch Godric under the chin. "Don't you just love him?" she cooed as the kitten purred.

Malfoy paused, but ultimately said, "I do."

Scooping Godric up, Hermione held him against her chest so that Malfoy could get a better look at him. "We're going to be such a happy little family."

Blaise made an indecipherable noise behind her, somewhere between a cough and a choke. The colour drained from Malfoy's cheeks, but he reached out and stroked one of Godric's furry ears. "We are."

A/N: Still no update schedule for this one, but I promise that I will not abandon it! Let me know what you think!

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