CHAPTER 46

November 1st 2001

Hermione Granger struggled to carry the weight of her boyfriend through the front door of his home. He was released from St Mungos this afternoon along with a copious amount of pain relieving potions to heal the burns along his face. Whilst it helped Draco to feel better, all his dead weight that was leaning over her as they stumbled into his living room was not ideal. He was rather large.

"I feel sooo much better." Draco sleepily chirped as she threw him onto one of the larger leather couches. "Whatever those healers gave me work a fuckin' treat."

"Oh, I can see." Hermione laughed, rolling him to not hang over the edge of the cushions.

"I'm tellin' you the truth! Really! I can't even tell that I'm a lil blind... Can you tell that I'm a little blind?"

"Yes, darling. It is quite difficult to not notice."

He reached out to touch her face the second she sat in the knook of his curled stomach. "Is it because of my eye? It is ugly now? Am I ugly now? Merlin, I had so much riding on my dangerously good looks."

She struggled not to laugh at every word that came out of his mouth. Drugged Draco had completely dropped every brick on his wall, an entire filter thrown out the window. "You are not ugly. If anything, I think that you are far more handsome than before, those scars show off your bravery. It is very sexy."

He blinked several times with a gaping smile that spread from cheek to cheek, still caressing her face with the tip of his finger. "You think I'm sexy, Granger?"

Hermione kissed the inside of his wrist and then leant down to kiss his mouth. "More than you will ever know."

Draco let out a giggle that she had never heard before. It was too cute for a man with such striking features and looked even more odd as he covered his face shyly. She knew he needed to sleep but this was far too entertaining not to take advantage of.

"I wish younger you could see this." She leaned her arm against the back of the couch. "He would be so humiliated knowing what his future laid out."

"Would not!" He gasped in denial. "Young Draco used to wank off on the idea of having you against the library shelves. We should do that! We should fuck against library shelves!"

Hermione choked on her own laughter. "I can definitely fulfill that fantasy. But not right now, you need to rest."

She let him lay by himself momentarily while she searched the house for a blanket for him to sleep downstairs. Carrying that lump of a wizard to his own bed was going to be far too difficult, even for Hermione Granger.

Ginny had visited the hospital yesterday with a face redder than her own hair. There was about 23 minutes worth of insults to both her and Draco about their stupidity before Harry calmed her down. She was surprisingly supportive of the fact that the wedding was no longer on, probably being able to see the faults in her and Ron's relationship far before they did. Apparently, Molly had not taken it so well and is still in the midst of processing the fact that her youngest son was about to have a baby with a different woman. Time and space was needed for everyone.

After Ginny and Harry had left the hospital they volunteered to come over to Draco's house and clean up so that he had something familiar to come home to. Everything was sparkling clean, not a single spot of hitmen scavenging left behind.

Only issue was, Hermione had no idea where Draco kept his spare bedding. Pulling her wand from the pocket she gave a final huff before retreating back to her magical roots. "Accio blanket." was all that was needed before banging from under the stairs thudded throughout the house.

Hermione opened the door and grabbed the floating blanket, but a pile of gold frames hiding in the darkness caught her eye. Tossing the duvet aside for a moment, she pulled what looked like paintings out from under the stairs and into the open hall. They were portraits… of her.

Draco had boasted a few months ago about the landscapes on the wall being from his own brush, but Hermione had no idea that he had a whole collection dedicated to watching her age. Oil paintings that played out over 10 years, one of her in 2nd year reading a book under a tree at Hogwarts, another from the Yule Ball that depicted her smiling on the dance floor, a simple close up of her in the potions class, and even a small frame that held an image of her sitting behind her desk sipping a cup of tea. Her favourite, however, was the portrait that looked the most new. The night of her 21st birthday party, standing tall in a white gown with the glow of chandeliers hanging behind. She looked… beautiful.

Quickly but carefully placing them back under the stairs, Hermione returned to the living room to find Draco covering and uncovering his good eye with the palm of his hand. He looked shocked each time as if learning that he was in fact visually impared. She chuckled under her breath until he saw that she had entered the room.

"Hi!" He pointed at the soft material in her hand. "You brought me a blanket."

"That I did, although I found quite a lovely surprise where it came from. Draco, those frames filled with paintings of me are marvelous. When didn't you show them to me before?" She tossed the duvet over his body, amused at how he childishly made himself comfortable.

He sighed, closing his eyes. "I did them mostly on summer holidays during school. If I painted you secretly at home then I would not miss you so much. They are my best work. You should really let me paint you naked."

"That is never going to happen." She tucked the blanket around his sides so he was snug. "But I love what you have already done. You make me feel far more beautiful than I truly am."

"You are perfect, baby. Perfect." His voice was coming to a low hum, sleep beginning to take over his body. "I love youuu." He sang with his eyes still shut. "I love you so much. And-and I do not care that we cannot have children. You would have made a wonderful WONDERFUL mother but I do not care. We have each other, right? I really do love you. Like, a lot."

A ticklish feeling ran across her arms and legs and all around her chest. It hurt how much she loved him. Almost unbearable. Who knew that someone surrounded by complete darkness had filled her life with so much light?

Hermione bent down and pressed her forehead against his. "I love you, too." She whispered as their noses touched. "You would have made a far better father than the one you were given."

Draco's reply was replaced with a light snore. His lips slightly parted as the pain relieving potions worked their magic and brought him rest. He was going to need it, for tomorrow the Daily Prophet was going to either rip them raw for their affair or fully support the dramatics.

Kissing his cheek, Hermione stood from her seat. Feet leading her over to the pile of music that was untouched in the corner, a record player lonely from it's lack of company. Her fingers ran over the categorised albums, recognising the ones that had been selected to play at the wedding reception. It was a pity they were not going to be played, songs like these deserved to be heard by an adoring audience.

She spotted her dad's favourite album, Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan. It was if the vinyl was begging to be played, leaping to a song the moment she played the needle down. Buckets of Rain was a song that her parents used to dance to in the living room. Her childhood and even teenage days were always filled with images of her parents so in love with each other. She had a feeling her life would not stray from that tradition.

As the acoustic strings echoed quietly out onto the tiles living room, Hermione smiled down at the wizard sleeping on the couch. He was so at peace. Finally.

Harry had done them a favour by filling the kitchen with enough food to get them through the next few days. She made a mental note to send him a thank you note or give a really big hug the next time she saw them both… Oh! And to get a congratulatory gift for their baby boy or girl.

A charm was cast over the records to switch over every time they ended, selecting only from the pile that was hand picked by Hermione. Various songs played as the background soundtrack while she explored Draco's apartment. He did not own very much, but what he did have had great quality. There was nothing in the guest bedroom, seeing as there was a very low chance he had ever offered to have people over.

An office sat within the third room, holding an abundance of books. Some on shelving, others built up over the floor, ranging from fiction to old Hogwarts textbooks. It was chaos, but neat chaos. At the centre sat a desk that was covered in parchment, and at closer inspection Hermione realised that they were the letters that were sent to her after she won the werewolf case. Draco must have stolen them from her desk in order to create the book he gifted her. It was quite possibly the best present she had ever received. Exactly her love language.

Reminding herself of all the kind words, she got the itch to get back to normalcy. Fighting for the little guy and being passionate about equal rights again. Once the Prophet gave them their beating they could do that. A few more days and it would be completely over.

Behind the letters flashed an image that caught Hermione's eye. It was the article that had been released the Monday after her engagement announcement. Ron and her holding hands as they waved to the crowd within the Ministry foyer, so unhappy yet so unaware.

Draco had kept it.

That night Hermione slept on the leather couch opposite to him. It didn't feel right sleeping in his bed without him and she was scared his potions were going to wear off in the middle of the night, screaming over how much the scars burned. The music kept playing, almost like a lullaby for them both. It was one of the first nights in a long time she would sleep all the way through.

Draco Malfoy woke to the soft sound of music playing. The room was a dim grey when he sat up to find Hermione curled up on the couch opposite him. It was not quite nighttime but too early to be morning. She looked so at rest, even with her curls falling across her face all messily. It was an image that he wanted to see everyday for the rest of his life.

His head ached slightly, but not enough to need potions. He stumbled on his way over to the kitchen and upstairs, trying very hard to navigate himself around the house with one working eye and not make a noise. A few paintings on the wall got knocked over from his clumsiness.

Paintings… Had he dreamt that Hermione found those portraits? Or was that real?

Once Draco had relieved his bladder, he stood at the bathroom mirror staring at the reflection in front of him. His scars were daunting. A once dark silver eye now a shade away from being pure white. He looked awful.

His nose stung from the cries that were just waiting for permission to fall. And once they did, it hurt. Draco cried at the man that looked back at him. Cried because he was in pain, cried because he wanted to curse Theo Nott, cried because he loathed his father, cried because he was so glad Hermione was alive and cried because he was scared for his future.

Shallow sobbs echoed against the bathroom tiles for almost an hour. Hunched over the sink overwhelmed by the past few days, months, year.

He should have known that it was Theo. Pansy had played it off like he was okay with their casual liaison but Draco should have known how much he wanted her all to himself. If he had just done what his gut had told him to do instead of thinking about it so logically, then they wouldn't be here.

But in a way, Draco was almost grateful for what Theo had done. If he had not chased them away would he have ever gotten a chance to be with Hermione? Would he have fallen into the expectations of his family? Would he even be alive? Was it always destined to be like this? Was he always going to lose part of his vision? How does one even go on in life from losing their sight?

These were all questions that played over his mind as the tears continued their descent. He slumped against the cold tiles and cried into his knees. Brighter days were just an arms length away, but he was just in so much pain.

Hermione found him not long after the sun rose. She soothed him with her warm words, telling him it was going to be okay. That they would get through it together.

Her hands were gentle as they pulled his clothes off. Heavenly against his skin, tugging him into the shower. Draco fell into her embrace as the stream of hot water fell onto his back, resting his head on her shoulder and the cries continued.

It wasn't until she had washed him clean that he finally stopped.

"I am so angry." He croaked through the steam. "But I don't know what I'm angry about."

"You're allowed to be angry." She eased, massaging his upper arms. "But don't let it consume you."

Her cheek rested against his torso as they hugged under the water. "Do you think your father's disapproval will ever waver?"

"No..." He answered truthfully. "But perhaps my mother will."

"What will happen to your inheritance? Your father is alive so I suppose it will all return back to his name, even if he is in Azkaban."

"I don't care. I have you, and no amount of money can persuade me otherwise. You are all I need."

Wet lips kissed where his stomach met his chest. Hermione stood on her tiptoes so that she could wrap her arms around his neck. Draco pulled her up to sit on his hips, breasts pressing against his throat. He kissed her deeply. Tongues passionately dancing around each other as hands found new places to explore.

With her back against the wall, Draco sucked on each of her nipples until she arched. Neither wanted foreplay for their sexual reunion. Her legs wrapped around his waist, he entered into her and relished on the bite mark she left on his shoulder.

He struggled to stay balanced, still getting used to his new reality, but kept going anyway. Her face was scrunched up in pleasure and panted for more. Draco had no choice but to obey her command. Using the shower head for grip, he thrusted into her with all that he had. Ready to crumble the instant that she squealed.

Soon the room got so hot he felt as if he might faint, so he dropped her onto the ground just in case. Hermione turned to face the wall but Draco spun her back around. "No." He grunted. "I want to know it's you I'm fucking." She gulped at the authority in his voice and nodded with obligation.

Draco knelt, spreading her legs open at the ankles. Hermione held onto the tiles behind her as he pushed two fingers in and sucked on where she liked it the most. A light "fuck" could be heard everytime he fastened the pace, twisting his tongue into shapes that made her quiver. She came twice over his mouth.

Hermione met him on the floor in order to recover. She collapsed into his arms as he steadied himself from the heat. Delicate fingers wrapped themselves around his cock and began to tightly stroke him up and down. "Oh, god, baby." He moaned into her damp hair. "You're so good."

His praise made her work even harder. Pumping until he was just on the edge of screaming out her name. "Stand up." Draco insisted, pulling them both off the floor. He pushed her into the corner of the shower and held one leg in his arm while the other held them in place. She begged for him to go deeper and he did what he was told.

"I want - you to - have - me - in the shower - everyday - for the - rest - of my - fuck - oh fuck - rest of my life." Hermione ordered between his thrusts. Draco grabbed her cheeks and squeezed them together with one hand as he kissed her.

"I will give you." He kissed her again. "Whatever you want." He kissed her again. "Forever."

With two fingers, Draco pinched her nipples, watching as she finished for the third time that morning. The sound alone made him cum so hard he had to bring them onto the floor. He let her sit on his lap as he knelt on the tiles. Hands ran through each other's hair, devoting one another in praises.

"Move in with me." Draco puffed, sucking on the nape of her neck. "Stay here, so I can give you this every chance I can."

Hermione threw her head back as the feeling of his mouth on her throat. "Yes." She agreed, tilting to look back at him and caress his facial scars. "I am yours."

They did not wear any clothes as they made breakfast together. Making it far too easy to play around in places that neither have done before. It turns out that cream could be used for much more than just pancake toppings.

By 10am the two had surrendered into at least underwear as they sat upon the two couches reading privately. An owl arrived expectantly with the mail clutched in its claws. Draco paid him respectfully and brought it over for them to read together.

THE BRIDE AND THE BACHELOR

No more than a month away from the big day, Hermione Granger is seeking to end a nearly 5 year relationship with childhood best friend, Ronald Weasley. The war champion, 22, announced to sources that she and hero Quidditch star, 21, have decided to call it quits on their big day. The Daily Prophet is the first to break the news of the split, which had been of concern over several weeks after her month-long trip to America with co-worker, Draco Malfoy, and whispers of a possible affair.

The high-profile 'golden' couple began officially dating in 1997 after the Second Wizarding War, and announced their engagement earlier in May this year. As claimed by sources, Granger and Weasley decided to split due to their irreconcilable differences and desire to see other people. Whilst it is unknown if Weasley has pursued another relationship, it is in good accord that Granger is now attached to Draco Malfoy.

Yesterday's edition announced that Malfoy's father was recently captured in the aid and assist of Theodore Nott's use of unforgivable curses, where he stands to be on trial over being under the Imperius Curse and forced to fake his own death. Auror and Chosen One, Harry Potter, made a statement on behalf of all of his classmates involved.

"It is with great sadness that I have to announce that the culprit behind Lucius Malfoy's disappearance was in fact, Theodore Nott. He had been tormenting the Malfoy family for several years which involved numerous unforgivable curses and heartache that cannot be measured. Throughout this case, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy were placed under ministry protection in order to keep them safe from harm. During which she and Ron Weasley decided that it was best for everyone that they no longer follow through with their marriage. No one is to blame for the split, nor is anyone to be slandered for accusations of an affair. Please allow time for grieving from the Nott, Malfoy, Greengrass, Weasley, Granger and Parkinson families. They will not be making a comment for any further articles around the subjects."

Whilst Potter claims that no one is to blame, it has been reported that Draco Malfoy was struck in the final battle at Nott Manor, leaving him gravely injured. Granger has been by his side over the past week, declaring that the two are in fact in a loving relationship.

More news on the couple and Malfoy trial will come over the next few weeks. Keep your owls on the ready.

Hermione blew raspberries through her mouth. "Well, it is not the worst thing they have written about either of us."

"Potter didn't do a shite job, either." Draco agreed, running her knee with his palm. "Perhaps we won't have to go into hiding again to avoid backlash."

"Trust me. When Ron's quidditch fans hear of this, we will need to duck and cover for the howlers that will pour through."

"I will set every single one on fire. You won't hear a thing, I promise, baby."

She bit her lower lip, suppressing a grin. "You keep calling me that, you know? Baby."

"Do you not like it?" He wrapped his arm around her back. "Because I am sure I can retreat back to calling you Granger."

"No, no. I like it. It is just very smitten for you."

Draco hummed. "I am quite smitten." She laughed into his mouth as they snogged hard on the couch. Skin sticking to the leather as they celebrated the worst of their days being behind them.

Hermione pushed him off her with quick pecks. "Wait here." She said, "I have something for you."

The hardness in his underwear ached for more. He growled as she stood to rush out of the living room and back upstairs.

Draco was left with nothing but his thoughts for a few minutes, and in the quiet he began to reflect on the goodness that life was serving him.

He had been dreaming with a broken heart for so many years, where waking up was the hardest part of his day. Moments where he went to work unable to breath knowing she was just in the room next door, frowning at things that she was so passionate about. Draco Malfoy yearned for Hermione Granger for years on end, and now… he had her.

She was right in saying that she wasn't a saint. But every minute he spent with her, it felt like a blessing. A gift that he did not deserve.

And now after every trail that held them apart, their path was finally clear.

"Close your eyes!" Hermione called, hidden within the kitchen.

"I only have one eye that can see!" He called back.

"Just shut up and close them."

Following her order, Draco closed his eyes and listened as she scuttered into the room. Repressing a giggle by the sounds of it.

"Okay, you can look."

Opening his good eye first, Draco almost dropped his jaw as he absorbed what he was before him. Hermione stood in white see-through lingerie, with pale stockings that hoisted at her hips and his Slytherin schooling robes. It was the hottest thing he had ever had the privilege of witnessing.

"Do you like?" She beamed at him, doing a twirl on the spot. The rush of the green and black robes lifting slightly to show her very small underwear from behind. He clutched his heart as a joking stroke, lowering from the couch and onto his knees.

He crawled to where she stood, kissing her legs from the bottom to the top until his tongue found her clit over the mesh.

"You are breathtaking." He whispered, looking up to her looking down at him.

"Should I wear this more often? I feel as if I am more of a red and gold girl myself but-"

"Never. Take. This. Off."