Hermione hit snooze on her muggle watch for the second time before she remembered she had set the alarm to go off for an important reason. Sighing that she would be rushed she gently pulled away from Draco and pushed him onto his back. They had been snuggled up, his chest to her back with his arm wrapped around her. Once he was laying on his back she quickly pulled the blankets down and got to work kissing her way down his chest. Featherlite kisses that wouldn't jerk him awake but subconsciously his body began to respond. By the time she got to his black silk boxers she could feel his erection. He groaned quietly in response. She wasted no time freeing his cock and started at the base licking to the tip before swirling her tongue around the tip. She looked back up at him and confirmed he was now fully awake. Without breaking eye contact she slowly took his cock into her mouth. He groaned as she used one hand to gently rub that which would not fit her mouth and the other began to massage his balls.

He let out another groan, "fuck Granger, are you trying to kill me?"

She moaned herself, then watched as he reacted to the feel of her throat rumbling around his cock. She pulled away with a gentle pop and smirked at him, "I'm sorry, would you rather I stop?" She asked, playing at innocence.

He put his hand in her messy bun, "don't you dare." He growled, lightly pushing her back down. He used his other hand to gently push her curls back from her face so he could see her entire face as she worked him towards his release. Originally this had only been step one of her plan. However a quick glance at her watch told her she had slept too late. She only had about 8 minutes to get Draco off then make sure they were both presentable before Scorpius would wake. Watching Draco begin to grip the sheets with the hand not in her hair and try to stay still she knew he was close. With a last twist and pump of her hands she stilled as he began to come in her mouth. She loved the way he throbbed against her throat and smiled as she pulled away to swallow, smirking up at him. He watched her every move as she gently licked him clean then pulled his boxers back up. Together they pulled the blankets back up around them as she settled in next to him again. She ran a hand lazily across his bare chest, "good morning."

His chest rumbled with quiet laughter, "I'd say." Then he gently kissed her before relaxing back into his pillow. They laid together for just a minute or two before a quiet knocking could be heard followed by the door opening slowly.

A still half asleep Scorpius walks into the room rubbing his eyes and mumbling, "Good morning Daddy." Draco sits up and begins to lean over the edge of the bed for a hug when the small boy sees Hermione on his other side. The attempted hug turns into Scorpius using the hold to pull himself up onto the bed. He squeals as he climbs over his dad's legs and settles on his knees between them. He launches himself at her, throwing his hands around her neck, "good morning Ms Mione!" Hermione laughs and hugs the boy as Draco mutters about being betrayed in his own home. Hearing him, Hermione sticks her tongue out over Scorpius' shoulder.

The three laid in the bed together for 30 minutes or so as Scorpius recounted his previous days adventures to Hermione. Finally they all got up to get ready for the day, Scorpius going to his room to get dressed when he realized they would be going to the Burrow to see Bryony and Grandmum.

Hermione smiled when she heard the excitement in the young boy's voice as he spoke of going to the Burrow. The first time he had been so quiet and shy, she worried it overwhelmed him. He met everyone and had impeccable manners but kept to himself when the adults were around. Now just a little over a month later and he is completely transformed. He looks forward to the visits and doesn't shy away from the adults. Hermione will always be eternally grateful for her adoptive family and the way they treat Draco and Scorpius. The second visit to the Burrow Scorpius and Bryony asked George to do something with them and when he agreed Bryony said 'thank you uncle George', without missing a beat Scorpius copied the sentiment. Then stumbling a bit he corrected himself, "I'm sorry I mean Mr George." George didn't even hesitate; he quickly reassured the boy it was ok and told him that if he was ok with it he would like for Scorpius to call him uncle as well. The sentiment was spread through the room. Hermione couldn't help the tears that sprang to her eyes, however Ron quickly lifted her spirit when he muttered, "I never thought I'd see the day I'd willingly tell a Malfoy to call me family." He grinned at her, "you're lucky I love you witch." He hugged her but added with a wink, "Malfoy will still always be Ferret to me though."

After getting dressed the trio met in the kitchen for a lite breakfast. No one wanted to eat too much and be too full to enjoy Molly's wonderful lunch. Draco grabbed the Prophet that had been set on the counter and skimmed it as Hermione and Scorpius sat next to him at the breakfast bar, "well we made the cover, but at least it's below the fold." He says as he looks at the picture of the Weasel helping Scorpius onto Krum's broom. He has to admit it's a very good picture of Scorpius and considers getting a master copy to frame for his son. He isn't interested in the story, the Editor had gotten permission to run it the night before. Dravo had said as long as the words 'Death Eater' weren't in the article he didn't care. He flipped the paper to the top to see what made the main headline. "Oh dear" he murmured, then handed the paper to a questioning Granger, again he didn't care to read the article. The headline said it all:

Golden Trio Member Caught Stepping Out!

Hermione took the paper then snorted indelicately ('' how can he be 'stepping out' if we've been divorced for 5 months?)" as she read the headline. Her tittering and 'hrmps' get louder the further she reads. When finished she tuts again but all she says is "at least it's a good picture of them." The picture is of Ron and Katie walking hand in hand down Diagon Alley, Katie is laughing at something and Ron looks absolutely smitten. Hermione flips the paper and starts reading the bottom article. When she is finished she folds the paper back up and sets it by her plate of toast.

"So how bad is it?" Draco asks, trying to gage her response.

"It could be worse." Hermione shrugs as she puts some marmalade on her toast, "it seems Skeeter is playing up the billionaire playboy angle but she does question why you were in the Weasley/Potter box. She conveniently leaves out Theo and Blaise's presence so it looks like you were the odd man out."

"Oh joy." He mutters while taking a bite of his own toast. He watches as Hermione summons parchment and a quill then writes something down and sticks it in her pocket.

"You have a post screening service don't you?"

"Of course."

"I thought so. I'm going to give Katie the name of ours. I have a feeling she's going to need it."

Later that morning they all floo into the kitchen at the Burrow to find Theo standing beside Molly with a plate of food already in his hand.

"Seriously Mum, why can't I even get a croissant yet he gets a plate?" Ron whines as he eyes the food already stacked on platters waiting to be taken to the table.

Molly is tittering about the kitchen getting everything ready and doesn't even stop as she fusses at her youngest son, "because he is obviously in need of a home-cooked meal while you could afford to skip a meal or two." She says then she taps his gut with her wand as if to make her point.

"Brutal" George calls as he walks by the kitchen laughing at his younger brother. Harry walks into the kitchen, points to the croissants, "may I Mum?" He asks to which she quickly nods, "of course dear."

Again Ron is indignant, "Seriously woman? And you call yourself my mum?"

"If you aren't going to help me get out of my kitchen."

"Fine." He turns to stomp out muttering about too many snakes around and glares at Theo. Theo in turn just gives a shit eating grin as he bites into a croissant and wiggles his fingers at the irritated redhead.

The trio all greet the witch and once she turns down their offer to help head into the living room where most of the family is already gathered. The Prophet had been seen by all so it was the topic of conversation. Hermione greets Katie with a hug and a kiss to the cheek then slips her the parchment. Laughing as she sees what it says Katie tells her that both Ron and Harry had beat her to it.

Just before lunch is called Hermione hadn't even noticed Draco had left the room until he walked back in with Bill. Giving him a questioning smile Draco returns it with a smile of his own and shrug of his shoulder.

Monday morning Draco sends Hermione her weekly bouquet of flowers at the office. This week it is a dozen red roses with yellow yarrow as a filler. Yarrow symbolizes everlasting love and yet again Hermione's assistant Stacey had to be threatened to get to focus on her work. In the note he said he was feeling nostalgic and asked if she wanted to go to the restaurant they had gone to on their first date. She quickly sent Titus back with her agreement and set to work for the day while trying to decide what to wear to dinner tonight.

Sitting down in the chair Draco pulled out for her Hermione couldn't take her eyes off her date. She couldn't help but reflect back to their first date about 5 months ago and just how different they are today. The first date they had both been nervous and it was so obvious, even the waiter caught on. Their friendship had been so new, even though through their grief they had shared more with each other than anyone else Hermione had been scared that taking that step to dating would ruin it all. After the salad had been served and Hermione had commented on how delicious it was she ate a few bites before digging deep and grabbing ahold of the famous Gryffindor courage

Hermione gently placed her salad fork down and folded her hands in her lap looking up at Draco. He caught sight of the movement, "is everything ok?" He asked. The timid sound to his voice is what finally set her off.

Taking a deep breath and reminding herself that not only is she a Gryffindor she is Hermione fucking Granger she started, "I want this." Simple, to the point. Good start Granger, now keep going she told herself, "in the last few months of getting to know you I've had a lot of time to think about this. To think about the possibility of 'us'. And logically, setting aside our past, we make perfect sense. We have similar tastes, and want the same things from life. We surprisingly get along. You actually follow when I speak of work and we challenge each other. For me this isn't a let's see what happens thing. This is the next logical step and I want this, you and me as a couple." She said simply watching him closely to follow his reaction. He sat stock still for a moment then when he realized she was done and expecting an answer he shook his head, muttered "bloody Gryffindor," then smiled, probably what was the first true, light up his face smile she had ever seen from him. "I want this to." He said with conviction. Hermione smiled back at him, picked up her fork and they started talking about what they had going on at work that week.

"Knut for your thoughts?" Draco asked after he was seated across from her.

"Just thinking about the first time we were here. I was so nervous, I knew what I wanted but I didn't know if you felt the same way." Hermione smiled at the man across from her.

Draco chuckled "You were nervous? I was nervous. Here was this beautiful witch who should hate me and instead was able to give me a second chance and show me the man I could be. I didn't know what I was getting myself into the night I sat down across from you at Paddy's, I certainly never expected this." Before she could reply the waitress came up and Draco ordered a bottle of wine for them to share.

They were just starting on their shared dessert, a decadent chocolate mousse when Draco brought up that first date again, "I was so sure that that first date was going to end in disaster. I seriously thought it would either end with one of us being hexed or stomping out. And we would never see each other again, ruining our Tuesday nights at Paddy's. Instead I had a wonderful time and realized I did not want the night to end so when the waiter dropped off the check while you were in the loo I asked him for a suggestion on where to go after dinner. He was the one who suggested the Jazz Club." Draco smiled at his date as he remembered that night fondly. As he reached into his jacket pocket to pay the bill his hand knocked against the box concealed there. Bill had given him the ring back yesterday at the Burrow and Draco had immediately began brainstorming ideas for a romantic proposal. He knew she wouldn't want anything to elaborate or big and public. He had thought to wait til Christmas but realized just how hectic the holidays were going go be and adding to the stress didn't seem like a good idea. However they were here now. It was romantic, quiet and a place that had special memories. The restaurant was just dark enough that so long as he didn't make a big production of getting down on one knee no one would be the wiser. Shaking his head slightly at the waitress as she started to come up Draco reached his hands across the table and held them open to Hermione. Taking the hint she gently placed her hands in his. Draco marveled again at how perfectly she fit with him. Taking a deep, fortifying breath Draco began,

"I love you Hermione. Since you've come back into my life, everything's changed and only for the best. Beore I was just taking it one day at a time, doing what I needed to raise Scorpius right and nothing more. Certainly nothing for myself. Then I walked into Paddy's and saw you. You helped me to heal." He gently squeezed her hands as she smiled back at him. He couldn't believe he spent all his childhood thinking this woman was nothing but a bushy haired know-it-all and the enemy. Now all he saw was a beautiful, brilliant witch with love shining in her deep brown eyes. "Now I can see to the future. I know you are going to change the world. While you don't need a man to support you I want to be the one by your side. I'm still deciding what to do with my life but I know I want you by my side whatever I do. Bryony has a literal army of good men in her life and a good father but I want to be there for her as well. I now picture my life with you, me, Scorpius and Bryony as a family. I know we have been together only a short time but will you marry me and make that picture reality?"

Hermione for her part stayed calm throughout his declaration of love. She hadn't realized where he was going with it right away but once she did she panicked. But only for half a second. By the time he actually asked she knew her answer. Hermione was a witch who prided herself on knowing what she wants and going for it. So for her the answer was simple,

"Yes." She smiled as a single tear escaped. Then she laughed, "you realize this means you can't escape the Weasleys now."

"I will attend Sunday brunch every week if that's what it takes to keep you by my side. I will even tolerate having Potter and Weasel over for dinner if we must." He sighed dramatically but Hermione saw the twinkle in his grey eyes. The waitress then came over and dropped off the check. Without even looking at it Draco pulled triple what he thought it should be and dropped the money on the table. He stood and helped Hermione from her seat as well. They walked out the door and Draco led them to a nearby park where they walked slowly hand in hand and talked about the future. Before they apporated back to her place he pulled Hermione to the side,

"About the ring. I do have one but I need to explain first..."

Christmas morning had Draco bouncing with excitement in a way he never expected. The Weasel had Bryony for Christmas eve so Draco had hosted dinner the night before for his mother so they could exchange their gifts then. Hermione was of course in attendance, her engagement ring glamored so as not to be seen. Draco knew the moment his mother saw the glamor and registered what it meant, he was relieved when she said nothing. He and Hermione had discussed it and decided to wait till after the holidays to share their engagement with family. Dinner had been a rather quiet and formal affair, like he was used to from his youth. Now today was going to be crazy, Hermione had already warned him. They had gone back to Hermione's house and slept there because Bryony would be coming through the floo at 7am sharp for Christmas with them. They would have their first Christmas together as a family and then at 11 go to the Burrow for the Weasley Christmas.

When Bryony came bouncing through the floo Draco and Hermione were already in the kitchen cooking breakfast. They had decided that the morning would be spent in pj's. Draco was wearing red and green plaid sleep pants with a green t-shirt and Hermione had bribed him to wear a Santa hat to complete the look. Hermione on the other hand had gone all out sporting a red tank top with a Christmas tree on it, sleep pants with little Santa's on them and a headband with pair of antlers on it. She also wore ridiculous little green slippers with the toe curled up ending with a bell so she jingles as she walks. She had explained they were some sort of muggle elf shoe. Draco just nodded and threatened to snap a picture of her to send to the Prophet if she asked him to wear a pair.

"Happy Christmas!" Ron called as he followed Bryony through the floo. They walked into the kitchen and Ron laughed at the site of Draco turning the bacon in his pj's and Santa hat. Bryony called happy Christmas as well then turned back out once she saw Scorpius wasn't up yet. She headed down the hall to greet her friend.

"My gods I need a picture of this!"

"Oh hush you!" Hermione exclaimed as she slapped his arm then hugged her ex in greeting. "Happy Christmas" after they pulled apart Ron ducked behind her and went to grab a peice of bacon from the plate. In a move reminisant of his quidditch days Draco quickly snapped the tongs at the other wizard, "touch my bacon and ill hex you."

"Happpy Christmas to you to Ferret." Ron grumbled as he backed away.

Before Draco could respond the children came giggling into the room. Hugs and greetings were shared then Ron left to go to Katie's parents house for the morning. It wasn't until he had been gone 10 minutes that Draco realized he was wearing a short sleeve shirt thus his Dark Mark had been on display the entire time and Ron hadn't said anything. As a matter of habit Draco always wore long sleeve shirts to keep it hidden. As much as he hated the Mark he hated peoples reactions to it even more. The first time Draco and Scorpius had spent the night Bryony had seen it and it had led to a rather awkward conversation

"Morning Daddy! Morning Ms Mione!" Scorpius called as he entered Grangers room at precisely 702. Draco groaned to himself but still sat up to greet his child. He had hoped not being in his own home would throw Scorpius off a bit and maybe he would sleep in. No such luck. The two children came into the room and both climbed up to hug their respective parent then switched sides. Granger and Scorpius were laughing at something silly when Draco realized Bryony had gone very quiet. He followed her gaze to see it resting on the Mark. Granger turned to ask her daughter a question and saw the looks being exchanged.

"Everything ok Bryony?" She asked quietly.

The little girl hesitated, "I, I'm not sure."

"Whats the matter?"

"Uncle Harry showed me a picture of a tattoo last year. He told me it was the mark of a evil group of people. He told me if I ever saw someone with it I was to tell him, you or daddy right away. If anyone with it ever spoke to me I was to run away." She paused then finally looked away from the Mark to her mother, "that's the tattoo uncle Harry showed me." She said in a quiet, unsure voice. The sorrow and fear in her voice broke Draco's heart. He looked up at Granger, unsure what to say. They shared a look before Draco came to a decision. Scorpius was now quiet and following the conversation intently as well. Still unsure if it was the right way to handle it Draco turned to his son, "Scorpius, do you remember what I told you about my Mark?" He waited for the little boys timid nod before continuing, "can you share with Bryony?"

He hesitated a moment but then began, quietly at first, "that is the Dark Mark. They were a group of evil wizards and witches who thought they were better than everyone else. They were bad people. Daddy was forced to join to protect Grandmother. He did things he isn't proud of and regrets everyday. As soon as he was able he got out. Most of them are in Azkaban but some escaped. If I see anyone with that Mark I'm to summon Tippy and have her bring me to Daddy or Grandmother."

Bryony seemed to relax a little but she still held herself away from Draco. Hermione saw this and added, "Uncle Harry was right to show you this tattoo. You need to know about it. But I need you to trust us when we both say Draco isn't one of those bad guys."

Bryony had accepted their explanation and relaxed around Draco again. Draco was thankful she had accepted him and while it was uncomfortable he was glad she knew this part of his past, even if it was just a simplified version. Once both the children were older they would have to explain further but for now they knew enough.

Draco pulled himself out of his thoughts as they walked into the living room to begin opening the presents they had got each other. All four sat on the ground around the Christmas tree and Bryony began handing out presents. Draco was excited to see everyone's reactions to their gifts. In hindsight he can admit he probably went a little over board but see the smiles on his loved ones made it worth it. He had gotten Scorpius some new clothes, some muggle trucks, and a remote controlled car. Draco had hidden behind the tree so as to be found last a very obviously shaped package that he couldn't wait for him to find. Scorpius' first training broom. As for Bryony he had gotten her a set of beginner books on Herbology, her very own wizards chess set and a little wooden barn set with a dozen hand carved horses. When Hermione had seen the set she laughed at Draco and muttered to him, "just remember you started her down this path. Next year she's going to ask for a real horse and I'm going to send her to you." Draco just grinned. Looking at the little girls face light up he knew the truth. If she asked him, next year she would definitely be getting a pony. Next to the broom were two identical little boxes. Along with a couple rare books that he knew Hermione would appreciate he had also gotten her and Bryony matching necklaces. Once he saw the heart shaped ruby set simply in gold he knew it was perfect for his Gryffindors.

Draco waited until all the other gifts were opened then summoned the hidden gifts. As he expected Scorpius was ecstatic about the room but Bryony's reaction to the necklace was even better. She opened the box and just stared open mouthed at the necklace. After a moment's hesitation she looked up at Draco then threw herself into his arms. Her reaction alone made his Christmas. Draco helped each witch put on their necklace and all to soon Hermione was declaring it time for everyone to get dressed to head to the Burrow.

AN: i hope everyone enjoys this chapter! It seemed like a beast to write. Again the inspiration for the necklace described is on my pintrest page Hufflepuffmama0824

I hope this time you can find it, last time I mentioned the page a follower said they couldn't find it. I believe I have all the problems fixed, if not please let me know.

as always I love you hear your thoughts on everything we've got going on in this story, comments and follows are me smile.