NOTE: This chapter is rated MA!

A/N: So many things have happened in my life since the last update. I won't go into details except to say that life has gotten in the way of my writing. I have not abandoned this fic. I do know where the story is heading and how it will end. What I can't tell you is how regular updates will be going forward, but I will write as often as I'm able. I want to do the story justice, especially since you all have been so wonderfully supportive.

Thanks you all so much that have continued to encourage me and to all the new reviewers, follows and favorites while I've been MIA. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

Disclaimer - as always I own nothing related to Harry Potter

Chapter 30

Draco wakes Hermione in a similar fashion to the previous day, but this time instead of freaking out, she reciprocates. She pays gentle attention to his bits, licking and fondling them before returning to his cock. He is too big to fit completely in her mouth, so she pulls up and licks her hand. Feeling a bit awkward, she chances a glance at him and sees his eyes roll back in his head as he says, "You are killing me." His words encourage her to continue. She loves the way he strokes her hair gently as she goes down on him and he softly says, "Oh fuck, Hermione." Followed by him moaning things like, "gods woman you have a wicked tongue" and "bloody hell, you are amazing." It does not take too long for him to breathlessly warn, "Love, I am about to…" Counter to what she is used to, he tries to gently pushes her shoulders away. She doesn't let him, sucking more intently. For the first time ever, she wants to know what it is like. He does not try to force her to stay around him, gagging her in the process. He isn't yanking her hair so hard it brings tears to her eyes. He only pulls it slightly when his hands fist in her curls as he comes. She swallows the hot and somewhat thick liquid and to her surprise, she doesn't dislike it.

Draco gently untangles his hands and caresses her head. He softly apologizes, "So sorry." She looks up at him and even through his heavy lids sees concern for her in his eyes. She lifts up, and asks, "For what?" He smiles lazily as she begins to crawl up his body. She places light kisses and licks on his chest along the way, stopping between each one to look up and give him a sultry smile. He thinks she embodies her house mascot, her actions perfectly exemplify the lioness, as she stalks her prey. He thanks the gods he is on the receiving end of this seductive side of her attentions, instead of the fierceness he has seen her unleash on their enemies that at one time included him.

Hermione hovers over Draco and he tucks a riotous curl behind her ear, and strokes her cheek. Touching her reminds him of what he did earlier and her question of it. "I apologize for pulling your hair. I was so engrossed in what you were doing, that I was careless." She turns to his hand and kisses his palm before looking at him again. His apology causes a deep rush of love. His tenderness continues to soothe the torn places inside her. "It's okay. You didn't intend to do it, right?" Her tone is playful, as she arches her eyebrows and gives him an exaggerated look of concern. He cannot help but grin at her mockingly stern expression. He knows she is teasing but he cannot help but respond to her truthfully. He slowly shakes his head no. He leans toward her staring intently into her eyes, "I swear I will never hurt you intentionally. I will also do everything in my power, to keep you from harm. And before you can chastise me, I know you are quite capable of protecting yourself and have even saved me arse a few times while working. But know that I will always put your well-being before my own as you have always done with those you care for." She is warmed and comforted by the seriousness of his words and tone. He isn't being suffocating or trying to control her or belittle her skills. She knows he truly cares for her as she does him and she is pleased he understands her so well. If someone else was in the room, they could feel the way their love and magic surrounds them, making it almost palpable.

Her hurtful memories try to tarnish what they just shared, echoing in her mind "That's gross. Clean your mouth before you kiss me." All thoughts of the past are erased when Draco lifts her chin, and kisses her deeply He then places a short, soft kiss on her forehead. She snuggles into him and the sound of waves lull them to sleep.

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

Still nestled in Draco's arms, the bright mid-morning sun wakes Hermione. She is more content than she can ever remember being. She arches her back to stretch causing him to tighten his hold on her, making her smile. Shifting, she looks at the man beneath her. Of course she has taken quick peeks at his body, but was too shy to really "check out" her boyfriend. She watches the rise and fall of his chest. He still has a seekers form, lean and muscular. But unlike Harry and the Weasley boys there is no sight of a butterbeer belly forming.

It amazes Hermione how quickly she acclimated to sleeping next to Draco. She never did with Ron, but of course it's different. No loud snores or flailing limbs that always seemed to land on her. Thankfully, she had been at the Burrow then and it was expected that she sneak back to her and Ginny's room alone.

Draco stirs beneath her and she is thankfully drawn back to the present. "Hello lovely." She smiles shyly at him, "Hi." His lazy aristocratic drawl she once found so annoying, is now seductive. She figures it's because of the absence of a sneer. She still hasn't quite wrapped her head around the fact that he wanted to be with her at Hogwarts, but didn't know how to deal with it.

The sun comes out from behind a cloud and glints off her necklace. Draco decides its time to own up as its giver, but first he wants to know more about it. "My love, would you tell me the significance of your necklace?" She lifts off and settles next to him laying on her side. This frees her arms, but wanting to stay close, she hooks one leg over his. She adjusts her necklace so she can make it turn one revolution. Looking at him, she smirks, "Well I got it for Christmas from a secret admirer," stage whispering the last two words. "He must be rather well-off since it came in a portum. Did you know only the wealthiest of families can afford them?" She had made her voice sound like Pansy Parkinson and Draco groans. She continues, "they are very rare and very expensive..." He groans again and she giggles, "Oh Drakie, I just love it." He shakes his head while chuckling, "Please Hermione..." She laughs. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I do absolutely love it and the Portum too. It looks so much like my Crookshanks did. I tried to find out who bought it from the jeweler, but he wouldn't tell me anything. Andromeda Tonks was there when Harry gave it to me and explained the portum. I was sure then it had to be from you. I was going to thank you, and give it back, but we didn't see each other. Then it was New Year's and...well, I really do love it." He smiles. "I am glad, and there is no way I would take it back, especially now." She kissed him gently. "I thought as much." He puts his hands over hers, "From what I overheard the day we shopped and from what the jeweler said, I knew you loved it, so I wanted you to have it. Would you tell me the significance?" She smiles wistfully. "It reminds me of a simpler time. It was before the war, before Voldermort retook human form, when we were still children." Draco sighs, "When I was still an arrogant git?" She looks up at him, "Well...yes. During third year I was given a time-turner so I could take multiple classes. Although we were always involved in some sort of conflict every year, that was the last year I felt like a child. Harry and I used it to free his godfather, Sirius Black, before Fudge could have him kissed by Dementors. We also used to it free Buckbeak, the hippogriff." She smirks at him and he gives her a mock incredulous look, while holding his hand over his heart, "That thing that attacked me?" She grins. "Yes, and I even got to fly on his back that night. He really is a sweet animal." Draco shakes his head, teasing, "So let me get this straight, I bought you a necklace that reminds you of the year that you not only smacked me, but freed the animal that attacked me?" She nods a little tentatively. "Well I hadn't thought of it that way. Um, you could still return it." He shakes his head. "No love. Absolutely not. As I said, I want you to have it and I was an arrogant git that needed to be knocked down a few pegs. Plus the hippogriff really did not hurt me too much." He kisses her softly. "Would you also think of it as a reminder that if I could go back, where it would not mess up this future, with us together and no Voldermort, I would and knock some sense into my idiotic childhood self? Especially all the times I hurt you." She nods. "I love you Hermione Granger." She smiles and answers, "I love you Draco Malfoy." He pulls her to him and kisses her forehead. She relaxes against him in his tender embrace. She really loves the way he holds her.

Draco focuses on the feel of her laying nude in his arms. His amortentia. It is almost overwhelming. He never thought he stood a chance at a romantic relationship with her. He knows he does not deserve one, but here she is, smiling up at him, forgiven for his past. She wiggles against him. He caresses her back he leans down and kisses her. Then he makes love to her, being sure to please her multiple times before he is satiated.

Hermione has lain back down on his chest, over his heart. The rhythmic thumping, almost lulling her to sleep. Draco sighs, "We really need to get back to London." Without realizing it, he's tracing runic symbols on her back for love and protection. She gives him a wicked smile, "I know, I'm actually looking forward to seeing Harry for dinner." Draco mouth turns down, not sure what to say. He knows her female friends are okay with their relationship from their actions on New Year's Eve, but isn't sure how Potter will handle it. He did not even get a sideways glance from him on New Year's Day when they met with the Minister, except for making him swear not to tell Hermione it was his family that was attacked.

Seeming to know what he's thinking, she chuckles, "Don't worry about Harry, he knows the extent of hexes I have in my arsenal of spells. Ones that hurt and burn but don't cut or maim, or do any lasting harm." She'd found many of them in a parenting book in the Black library. It piqued her interest so she had read How to Train your Pureblood Children without Causing Lasting Harm. Pfft, please. She would never use them on a child or even a pet, but chasing and subduing dark wizards, that is sometime all together different.

Draco shakes his head. "I do not want to know." She kisses him again. "No, you really don't." She smirks at him before changing the subject, "I love your home here and I don't want to leave."

He caresses her face. "Me either, but we can apparate back anytime. You are also welcome here, even if I'm not with you."

"Oh Draco, I'm, just...well...wow."

Draco snickers a little, arching on eyebrow, "I can't believe I caused you to be tongue tied." She playfully slaps him, "Oh, you..." His face turns serious, knowing if he doesn't stop, he will never let her out of his bed. He sighs, "I do not want to say or do this, but we need to get to the Manor to check the library. But love, it is not necessary for you to go there. I can read up on what you need." She smiles at him, "I do have some painful memories associated with that place." She repressed the shiver, "but I think we could make some new ones while there."

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