A/N: So glad you've stuck with me so far! I hope you enjoy their reunion.

Thank you, darling Mcal, for being such an amazing encouragement and beta'ing. I know I've said it many times, but you are a loevely person and I'm so glad to count you among my friends.

I do not own any rights to the Harry Potter characters or universe.

Chapter 18

They landed with a soft thud, Draco still holding Hermione close to his chest. "Sprocket," Draco called, and before the name faded on his tongue, the house elf appeared at their side. "Please bring up a light meal." The elf nodded and raised his fingers to snap away. "And plenty of fresh water," Draco added before the elf could disappear. With a single nod, Sprocket popped from the room.

Looking down at his bedraggled love, Draco could see the echoes of her ordeal. Her hair was wilder than he'd ever seen, her eyes were underlined with dark shadows and her face pale; the clothes she wore-the last thing he'd seen her in-were ripped and dirty. Draco took her face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs along her still soft cheeks, simply looking at her face for the first time in months. He brought his lips to her in a gentle kiss and let the sigh from her lips wash over him.

He could have kissed her for the rest of the night, but he knew she needed more than his lips tonight, so he pulled away and with a gentle coaxing led her into the large en suite bathroom.

Once inside the lavish washroom, he seated her on a tufted stool and started to work. He opened the taps and filled the large soaking tub with warm water. He added mineral salts and a concoction of lavender and bergamot oils, the fragrant steam rose from the tub and filled the room with its soothing essence. He bustled through the cabinets and retrieved several bottles which he placed on the side of the tub.

He approached her slowly and offered his hands for her to stand. As he undid the first button of her ratty blouse, she sighed in relief and exhaustion. He worked efficiently to remove the remainder of her soiled clothes, tossing them into the bin. His eyes remained fixed on hers as he removed his clothing as well.

With a delicate nudge to her lower back he led her to the deep tub and helped her step into the warm soothing water. He climbed in behind her and settled her against his chest. As the warmth of the water and feel of their connected bodies seeped in, he felt Hermione melt into his embrace.

He allowed himself several long minutes to enjoy the feel of her skin on his, and the weight of her in his arms before he took up a flannel and the body wash he'd placed on the tub's rim.

Keeping Hermione in the safety of his arms, he dispensed a healthy amount of wash into the cloth and worked it into a rich lather. He started at the fingers of her right hand, gingerly cleaning each one, working over her palm and wrist, all the way up her arm until he reached her shoulder. He massaged across her neck, steeling himself against the sound of her pleasure at the treatment as he continued down her left arm, ending at her fingertips.

He worked the cloth between them to clean her back and slowly brought it to the front, gliding the smoothe lather over her breasts and stomach. He felt his body responding to the intimate touch, but was resolute in his intent to cleanse her and nothing more.

Her toes received the same treatment as her fingers, and he worked his way up one leg and down the other, diligently ignoring the junction of her thighs. When he finally laid reverent fingers on the soft folds between her legs he felt her breath hitch, but gave nothing more than the considerate attention, he'd paid to the rest of her body.

Reluctantly pushing her away from his body he supported her neck as she leaned back into his palm. Using a silver pitcher, he poured the aromatic water over her matted curls, and dispensed a handful of sweet almond shampoo into his hand. He worked the cleanser into her hair, coating each strand, washing way the months of captivity. He poured several pitchers of water over her to rinse the suds and then with gentle fingers worked a thick conditioning balm through her strands, deftly removing the tangles from her tresses.

Leaving the conditioner in her hair, her piled the sweetly scented mass atop her head and settled her against his chest once more. Hermione settled into him for a moment, her deep breaths soothing him and dragging his body into a relaxed state with hers.

But all to soon she pulled away. He reached for her, but she gave him a soft smile and shook her head. He watched as she summoned a flannel and met him with the same treatment he'd applied to her.

Her gentle fingers worked the lathered cloth over every inch of his body, ignoring his body's reaction to her attention just as he'd done with hers.

She smiled impishly as she gathered the pitcher and poured the water over his head, his blond hair flopping into his eyes and the water running down his face. He pushed the hair from his eyes and snorted the water from his nose. He tried to glare at her, but couldn't stop his smile at the playful joy on her face.

The atmosphere changed as she climbed on his lap and began to lather his hair with the sweet scented shampoo. Her wet, warm body pressed against his intimately and the fire in her eyes burned through him as she massaged his scalp. She pulled away all too soon and instead of dumping water on his head as before, motioned for him to lean back, washing away the suds, careful not to get them in his face. He took the pitcher from her hands and supported her neck as she leaned back and he rinsed the conditioner from her hair.

Draco stood, the water dripping off his body, and stepped from the bath. He proffered his hand to Hermione and helped her out as well, his eyes following the trail of the droplets as they careened down her curves.

Picking up a soft terry cloth towel, he began to dry her. She responded in kind. This time as they ran their hands over the other's body, their touches lingered, fingers caressed, a mutual need began to rise between them. Draco pulled her into his body for a long overdue kiss. Allowing himself to give into the feeling of her in his arms once more, he ran his hands over her sides and bum, down her thighs, and back up to her shoulders. Before they could surrender to the sweet sensations of their reunion, he pulled away. Hermione bit her lip and looked up at him shyly. He placed a chaste kiss on her lips and summoned a pajama set.

He slipped his legs into the trousers and helped her into the shirt, his fingers brushing her steadily blushing skin as he slowly fastened each button. The need to care for her overtaking his carnal desire, he led her back to the tufted bench and settled her on the plush cushion. He retrieved a wide toothed comb and nutritive oil from the cupboard and began to work both through her damp hair. Finally satisfied with his efforts, he used his wand to dry her strands into soft curls that fell over her shoulders and cascaded down her back.

As she stood and turned to him, he was overcome with the vision of her lovely face framed in the chocolate curls. His lips sudden meeting with hers caused her to stumble backward, her legs still weak from her imprisonment, but his steady arms held her firmly to him as his lips and tongue sought hers with desperation. Hermione met his enthusiasm and wrapped her arms securely around his neck as she returned his kiss with equal fervor.

He released her lips and settled his forehead against hers. "God, I've missed you." His eyes were closed with the emotion of the moment, but he felt her nod against him as she drew in a shaky breath.

Twining their hands together he led her into the bedroom. Sprocket, that lovely dutiful elf, had laid out the platter of food and a pitcher of water on the low table before the warm hearth. Draco tossed two pillows from the sofa onto the hearth rug and pulled Hermione down beside him. He placed the food in front of them; they sat shoulder to shoulder and ate silently. Each time Hermione's cup was drained, Draco filled it with more water, watching the delicate column of her throat as she drank greedily.

The tray of fruit was a riot of color, but Draco was immediately drawn to the blood orange wedges. Picking up a slice he held it up in offering to Hermione. She nodded and opened her lips to accept, as she took the vibrant morsel into her mouth she captured Draco's finger between her lips, sucking suggestively on the digit. Draco sucked in a sharp breath and shook his head in playful admonition. Hermione smirked back and picked up another wedge, offering it to him. As she pressed the rich fruit to his lips his tongue shot out, caressing her finger in much the same manner. She laughed at him and he felt the tension leave the room as he pulled her close, a smile on his face as they snuggled in front of the fire.

When Draco felt her body becoming heavy with fatigue he helped her to her feet and led her over to the bed. He pulled back the duvet and tucked it around her, then hastened to his side and tucked himself in as close to her as possible. They both hunkered down facing each other and Draco pulled the duvet over their heads, hiding them from the world.

"I missed you everyday," he whispered in the dark sanctuary of the covers.

"I felt so foolish for getting captured."

Draco pulled her to his chest, their legs tangled and her head tucked beneath his chin, "You can't blame yourself for another's actions."

"I know, but when I saw how much you were hurting…" She sniffed and he felt her tears fall onto his bare chest.

"I never gave up. I just didn't know where to begin." He rubbed along her back trying to soothe her pain as well as his.

"I'm still not sure what magic she used. It felt… ancient… dark…" she shivered in his hold and he pressed closer. "I tried so hard to break free."

He shushed her and rocked lightly, her trembling body finally giving over to the terror she'd endured. "You're free now. I've got you." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Sleep, my love. We have the rest of our lives now."

The hot tears fell for a few more moments, before he felt her body relax fully into his embrace. Draco breathed in the scent of her, and spent his last moment before sleep took him memorizing the feel of her in his arms. Finally, as she nuzzled closer in her sleep, he allowed himself the same freedom.

The morning light diffused through the sheer drapes, a gentle nudge into the day. Draco allowed his mind to rise back to consciousness, despite the luscious dream of having Hermione in his arms again. But as he took assessment of reality, he remembered; Hermione was back in his arms. She'd barely moved in the night, still tucked securely to his side, her slender arm draped across his body.

He rolled to the side, enjoying the little grunt of protest she gave in her sleep. Pulling back the sleeve of the pajama top, he began to kiss up the soft skin of her arm, up to her shoulder where he pulled the fabric aside to gain access to her neck.

She gave a soft hum of pleasure and reached with her opposite arm to run her fingers through his hair. "That feels nice," she mumbled. Draco began to run his hands over every inch of her body that he could reach.

Soon, the sleepy haze of morning faded and they both frantically grasped at one another, their kisses deep and desperate. Hermione moaned as his lips found a particularly sensitive spot on her neck and with a heft of desire she pulled him atop her body. "I love you, Draco."

He smiled down at her flushed face and sparkling eyes and just like magic, their months apart faded and it was only her and only the future before them. "I love you, Hermione."

On the grounds of the Manor, the blood orange tree Hermione brought as a sign began to glimmer with magic; and as the glow faded the branches lay heavy with fruit.

A/N: Only a short epilogue to go! Thank you to all that have read, reviewed, followed and favorited! I'd love to hear what you think in the reviews! Thanks!