A/N: I know I have to apologize every chapter for taking so long to publish. This time I have a really good excuse. I am finally getting over shingles. Oh my goodness I wouldn't wish it on anyone!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, make nothing, etc. etc.

This chapter has not been betaed. Please PM or review to let me know if you see any errors, inconsistencies, plot holes, etc. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 23

Hermione feels cocooned in warmth when she wakes, feeling the rise and fall of the well muscled chest under her. She lifts up and looks at the man beneath her and a smile plays at corner of her lips. Draco looks so young and innocent as he sleeps. His face doesn't hold the strife of war. She lets out a small sigh of regret. No one she knows her age had a proper childhood or teenage years. They had all seen and been through so much. There is finally peace, but she already has the life of an adult. If she had not been a witch, she would be in uni somewhere, not already settled in a flat with her first promotion at work. Would I change it if I could? Flashes of her life flit through her mind. Her immediate thought is no, but she continues to contemplate and frowns. If not for magic, I would have my parents. She nibbles her bottom lip. She knows she played a huge role in bringing down Voldemort, but could Harry have done it without here's one of his best friends? She isn't being vain or arrogant but she realizes that her vast wealth of knowledge was a key reason he was defeated, starting when she was just 11. Plus his growing evil was already spilling into the muggle world. Perhaps without her, he would be controlling both worlds now as well. She shivers at the thought. Her parents may still be alive now. No muggleborn or maybe even muggles would be alive in a Voldemort controlled world.

Hermione hears a light snore and is shaken out of her reverie and looks down at Draco. His mouth is open and he has a little bit of drool in the corner. She stifles a giggle. No, I wouldn't change it. Draco Malfoy, the once pureblood elitist, is sleeping in a muggleborn's bed, my bed. Seeing the changes in him, once such an arrogant, egotistical, discriminatory prat, being so different now, it helps her decide it is worth it. She's about to snuggle back against him to sleep when she suddenly realizes there were people at her house last night. She jumps up, grabs her wand and throws on the shirt next to her bed and runs out of her bedroom, fastening a few buttons.

Hermione looks around her living room and notices a note on her coffee table. Picking it up and unfolding it she reads:

Hermione,

Told you so!
Glad you and Malfoy finally got your shite together.
Don't worry about the boys, we will handle them. Have fun!

Love,
Gin, Han & Lu

Hermione chuckles, then decides to go make some breakfast. She is grinning as she heads into the kitchen, thinking about last night. For the first time in a long while, she is excited. She is looking forward to the new year and new millennium.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Ginny wakes to the sounds of something banging downstairs. She rubs her eyes and sits up wondering what is happening. Usually her Mum wakes her and has her help with breakfast when she is home. She jumps when she hears another loud bang and grabs for her wand. She realizes she is at Harry's when it isn't in its usual spot under her pillow. She recalls the previous night's fight, huffing with anger that her stupid git of a brother managed to ruin another night between she and her boyfriend. She looks down expecting to see her royal blue party dress, instead she is wearing a royal blue night gown. A smile tugs at her lips when she realizes Harry must of transfigured it for her. The last thing she remembered, was him carrying her upstairs after her tirade.

When Ginny hears another loud bang she decides to go investigate. Looking around she sees her wand on top of her bag and scoops it up, brandishes it as she heads downstairs following the loud noises. She's perplexed when she sees a stew pot fly out of the pantry and land on top of several others in the floor. When she walks in the room a pan flies by her head, missing her by merely inches and clatters to the floor. She shouts, "Oi Harry! Watch where you are throwing those!"

Harry had not slept much the previous night, thinking about Ginny and the argument and what, if anything, he should do about Ron. The more he thought the angrier he got. He had gotten up early to cook breakfast and couldn't find the pan he wanted to use. He realized flinging them out of the pantry got ride of some of his frustration. He stops when he hears Ginny's voice and steps out wearing a pensive look, not sure if she is still angry at him.

Ginny gives him a bright smile when she sees him, hair askew and glasses crooked. She arches up an eyebrow, mirth twinkling in her eye as she teases, "I thought we were being invaded by crumple-horned snorkacks! Speaking about one of Luna's animals causes Harry to burst out laughing. He walks to her and kisses her softly. He grins self-conciously and says, "Sorry love. I guess I should have put a silencing spell on the kitchen before I started cooking." She looks around at the pans and asks, "Were you planning to cook for all of London or did you have a fight with a boggart in the pantry?" He gives her another sheepish smile before frowning, "I couldn't find the skillet I wanted and then I started thinking about Ron." When he sighs, she reaches up and runs her fingers through his hair as it has always calms him. Then she pulls him in for a hug.

Ginny steps back and grabs the kettle out of the pile to make some tea. Harry watches her graceful movements and kicks himself for being such an idiot. I ruined my special plans for when we returned home last night! I could have spent all night showing her how much I love her instead of arguing about Ron! Stupid git!

When Ginny turns around, he takes her hand and leads her to the table. Harry's thumb makes the infinity symbol on the back of her hand as he begins his explanation, "I want to apologize to you about last night. I was holding on to a dream of us all being one big family." Ginny places her other hand on top of his, squeezing gently. The love she feels for him at this moment makes her want to burst. "You are forgiven and thank you. I am sorry as well. I took my anger against Ron out on you. That was completely unfair of me. It should be him I was yelling at, but I'm not sure it would do any good." Harry kisses her softly, making her smile. He loves that even though she is quick to become angry, she doesn't hold a grudge for days or weeks like her brother. "You are forgiven love. I was being an idiot to think they should be back together. You all mean so much to me I want you all to officially be my family." Harry blushes and looks away. UGH! This isn't how I wanted to do this!

Ginny is a little confused by Harry's use of the word officially. She reaches up and turns his face to her giving him a perplexed look. Before she can ask, the kettle goes off. He flicks his wand to turn off the stove. "Would you make some tea for us? I need to grab something from upstairs." She nods and before she can open her mouth he shoots out of his chair and out of the kitchen. She shrugs and gets up to make the tea.

When Ginny finishes and turns around, Harry is on the floor down on one knee with a box in his hand looking at her with adoration in his eyes. She take a couples steps toward him and he looks at the box and opens it. Inside is a beautiful diamond and ruby engagement ring. He begins, "Ginny, loving you and having the hope of getting to spend the rest of my life with you kept me going through all the dark times during the war. You've been by my side, or in my heart through some of the worst moments in my life…" flashes of hunting horcruxes and battles invade Harry's mind and he pushes them aside swallowing, "I would like to be by yours for all the good times…" Finally looking at Ginny again he forgets the rest of his prepared speech. She is radiant, even with tangles in her hair, smudged makeup, wearing a nightgown, smiling through the tears trailing down her cheeks and nodding yes even though he hasn't really asked yet.

Harry jumps up, pulling her into his arms, spin his her around, laughing and exclaiming, "Blimey, you mean it, you'll marry me?! Even though I cocked up my speech and was a git last night?" He sets her on her feet, pulls back giving her a questioning look as he wipes away her tears. She replies, "Yes, you dolt, I'll marry you! Now put that beautiful ring on my finger and I'll show you just how much I love you."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

When Draco wakes, he smirks as he reaches for Hermione, thinking of all the different ways he could wake up her up. When he only feels the cold sheet next to him, he briefly wonders if he had dreamed last night. Some of the disappointment leaves him when he opens his eyes and sees her room. He gets up, and straightens her bed and slides on his boxers before heading out in search of his witch to chastise her for leaving him alone in bed. He smells fresh coffee, bacon and pancakes and makes his way to the kitchen. He stops in his tracks, forgetting about teasing her when he notices she is wearing nothing but his dress shirt. It comes down to her knees and the shoulder seams are almost to her elbows. Even though she has rolled the sleeves, she has to keep pushing them up. It would be funny if it was not so sexy. Something about her being in his shirt is a complete turn on. Like she is acknowledging that she belongs to him. He shakes his head. Hermione would never belong to anyone, that sounds too much like he owns her. He plans to do his damnedest to treat her like she deserves to be treated and hopes he can earn a place in her heart.

Knowing it would not be wise to sneak up on Hermione, Draco clears his throat before walking toward her and speaking, "Good morning beautiful. Breakfast smells wonderful." She starts a little at the noise he makes, but wants to run and jump him when she hears his husky voice. She doesn't turn around as she is trying to get herself under control. When he reaches her, she feels his strong arm wrap around her. She leans back into him, closes her eyes and sighs as his delicious scent envelopes her. She hums, "Morning." He lifts up her hair that is finally down and kisses her neck before whispering in her ear, "But I really had different ideas about what I wanted to do with you first thing this morning." She turns around in his arms, stands on her toes gives him a little kiss. Smirking, she says, "Well, I don't know about you, but I worked up an appetite last night. Plus, I owe you a home-cooked meal for this week." He shakes his head, remembering she insisted she would be cooking for him once a week when he told her he owned the building. As he slides his arms down to release her, he lightly pinches her arse and says, "Cheeky witch." She yelps in surprise, slapping at his hands but misses as she rolls her eyes at his obvious pun and looks at him saying sarcastically, "You're so funny, just…." She stops mid-sentence as she takes in his appearance. His hair is tousled and there is some stubble on his face and neck. In the light of day, she admires his almost naked body. The width of his shoulders, his pecks and ab muscles, the fine blond hair on his muscular legs and arms, and the slightly darker hair that runs down into his boxers. She closes her eyes for a moment and when she opens them, he is smirking at her and she blushes. He closes the short distance between them and she is a little discouraged when he kisses her forehead. He smiles kindly saying, "Since you worked so hard, let's eat a quick bite." He leads her to the table, where the food is laid out. He tells her it looks delicious and thanks her for cooking. When they sit down, he asks, "If you don't have any plans, would you like to spend the rest of the weekend together?"

It feels like hundreds of butterflies have escaped in Hermione's stomach. He didn't just out her out for the afternoon or evening or tomorrow, but for the rest of the weekend. She nods her head. Draco raises his brows and questions, "Yes you have plans or yes to plans with me?" Her hand flies up to her face covering her eyes as she shakes her head. Merlin! In a small voice she answers, still embarrassed, "Gods I'm so daft. Yes I'd like to spend the weekend with you." He removes her hand, giving her a look that she knows means he is being completely serious, "You, love, are the least daft person I have ever met." He follows his statement with a kiss. She wonders briefly if he means the endearment, but soon her thoughts get lost in his kisses.

They finally get around to eating breakfast, spending the majority of it discussing literature. Then moving on to some of the more interesting things she had learned in Mentalist training. Hermione tells him Ginny mentioned a case that has been keeping him and Harry busy. Draco stops her questions by leaning over and kissing her soundly. When he realizes she is not responding with as much enthusiasm as he wants he pulls back. "Hermione, I know you are completely dedicated and enthusiastic about our work. I know it means as much to you as it does to me and I know you are ready to get back to it." She nods, thankful for his understanding. He is leaning towards her, holding both her hands and she realizes he has thought this through. "What we do has a high priority in my life. I know at times it will have to come before our relationship. But, in order for us to have one, we will need to leave our jobs at work and visa versa when possible. I know it won't be easy, but you mean enough to me to try it. It is a holiday weekend and I would really like to focus on each other." With his heartfelt and logical words, how could she not agree? She gives him a loving smile, leans in and kisses him briefly before saying, "Of course. When did you get so smart?" He punctuates his next words with a soft kiss between each one. "When. I. Finally. Realized. You. Are. Amazing." The last kiss continues as he pulls her back into her bedroom.

A/N: I can't express how thankful I am for all the current favorites (71), follows (169) and reviews (67)! YAY! They mean the world to me. You are the best! Please continue to give me feedback as I value your words and the time you spent reading my stories!