The Great Hall was booming with excitement as the students would get to go to Hogsmeade later in the day. The eighth-year student got to leave at will, but Hermione and Parvati would be supervising the younger students. Cormac was antagonizing the other Gryffindor boys, much to Parvati's amusement. Harry and Ron sat across from her, trying to decide which shops they would go to first to avoid the crowds.

Apples and mint filled the hall. Hermione hummed, smiling to herself. She should find him before they left and try to decide a place to meet up in the village.

His scent was getting stronger, and Hermione pressed her thighs together. The heat was coming soon, a little under a fortnight remaining. They would definitely have to sneak away before they left the castle.

"Weasel. Scarhead," Draco's voice sounded from right behind her and she froze.

"What do you want, ferret boy?" Ron bit, loading up his fork with another bite.

"Testy this morning. Still upset the manticore took to me over you? Honestly, Weasley it's been three days. Time to let it go," Malfoy snarked and Hermione pushed food around on her plate. "How's the leg, Potter?"

"It was hardly even a nip," Harry growled. Hermione looked at him questionably and he sighed. "Hagrid had us try to approach the manticore in class using techniques we've been practicing. I was able to approach but it struck when I tried to touch it. Ron got chased out of the ring the moment it saw him."

Harry and Seamus laughed at the memory and Ron stabbed Harry with his elbow. Hermione felt Draco's fingers thread through the hairs at the base of her neck, and goosebumps shot through her body.

"The only person it fancied was Malfoy?" Parvati laughed.

"What can I say? Lions love me," Draco smirked.

Hermione felt a gentle tug on her hair to look up and the next moment Draco's lips were on hers. Unhurried, sweet. When he started to pull away, Hermione slightly rose out of her seat chasing his lips to steal a few extra moments.

Draco looked at her sweetly, rubbing her shoulders as she sat back down. "I'll walk with you to Hogsmeade, what time are you heading out of here?"

"We are gathering the students in the entry hall at ten," answered Hermione.

"Brilliant. See you in a couple hours, love." Draco bent down to kiss her again.

Hermione watched him walk away before turning back around to find the several members of her house staring at her with jaws dropped. Harry bit back a grin and shrugged, and Cormac sent her a cheeky wink before you back to his plate.

"Shut up," Hermione snapped.

"DRACO MALFOY!" Ron shouted, looking around him for some sort of backup.

"Bloody hell, Granger. You're going to be rich, filthy rich," Seamus exclaimed, and Dean snorted. "Can we get a private box for the next World Cup? Pretty please?! We fought a war together after all!"

"Bugger off, Seamus," Hermione laughed, throwing a croissant at him.

"Did you know about this?" Ron asked, turning to Ginny and Parvati. "How are you all so calm?!"

"I knew. I believe Ginny is in shock," Parvati explained. Ginny was still staring and blinking.

"I had a feeling. But Hermione was so distressed at the start of term before they started…" Harry waved his hand in the direction where Malfoy had stood. "If it means Hermione can feel like herself, I'll share her with git."

"You're fraternizing with the enemy!" Ron shouted.

"She's doing a lot more than that, mate," Cormac jested before subtly sniffing the air. "Been a few days, though. Trouble in paradise?"

"BYE, everyone," Hermione said, standing up to leave. "I'll see you in Hogsmeade."

"Atta girl, Granger," Cormac said with a wink.

Hermione rolled her eyes and followed Malfoy's trail out of the Great Hall. It really had been a while.

His omega corralled the younger students into the town. Her smile was so bright, innocent. The younger students looked up to her, as they should. She was pure goodness, brilliance, poise.

No one would ever know he had her bent over a table of an empty classroom thirty minutes prior.

The other alphas could tell, likely. The scent of him was radiating off her in a way that left no question to whom she belonged. It made her feel secure as much as it made him feel proud. It was important too, as her heat was creeping closer day by day.

"I'm bored," Draco complained, standing by her side.

"Well go shopping or something," said Hermione and he scowled. "Fine, give me a moment to check in with the last group."

Hermione reminded her students where to meet to return to Hogwarts. They walked past Honey Dukes, not willing to go inside and brave the crowd that was spilling out onto the street. Draco held her hand in his, bringing it up to his lips to breathe warm air on it, even though his girl was prepared and wearing gloves. The instinct to take care of her was stronger than ever before.

"Care for tea?" Draco asked her, gesturing to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Salazar, the way his younger self would chastise him for willing to go into such a tacky establishment. "You should take a break from the cold."

"I've actually never been in there," Hermione smiled, cheeks pink from the cold air.

It reminded him of how flushed she was the night he fucked her on the forest floor. He didn't know it at the time, but the fact that they are part creatures themselves is what made the once terrifying forest so welcoming.

Hermione approached the window and cupped her hands to peek inside. "It's quite full."

"I'll buy the shop and kick everyone out," he answered, plainly.

"Oh excellent, why didn't I think of that?" Hermione said, sarcastically.

Draco smirked. "First time accompanying a bloke who has means?"

"What did I get myself into," she mumbled, looking around. "I think there is table in the corner."

"No one is putting my girl in a corner," Draco rejected immediately.

"Oh my god, it's not so serious," Hermione laughed.

Draco walked behind her, his chest pressed against her back. "Get used to it, love. I'm going to spare no expense to ensure everyone knows how valuable you are."

"Please don't," she whined.

"Artifacts, crowns, books… rings," Draco started to list off all the things he would spoil her with. "An afternoon of private dining is hardly anything."

Hermione spun around, eyes narrowed. "Fine. But I draw the line at a tiara."

"The tiara is non-negotiable."

Hermione shoved him playfully and started walking back down the street towards the Hog's Head. He followed closely behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and kissing her cheeks until she playfully swatted him away. Her smile lit up her face and it made his heart soar. Never again would his omega doubt how much he loved her.

Hermione laced their fingers together to hold his hand and Draco thought he might actually die of happiness. Everyone around saw them together, McGonagall gave them a nod as they walked past the Three Broomsticks, and no one tried to come between them.

The snow was deep, and Hermione stumbled a bit on the uneven ground. Draco swooped her up, causing her to squealed and laugh.

"You're incorrigible," she smiled at him. He kissed her lips and teeth as she continued to laugh. "I love you so much."

"Love you," he said with another kiss.

She leaned against his chest for the rest of the walk, letting him spoil her. When they reached the entrance to Hog's Head, he stopped in his tracks.

"Father."

Hermione turned in his arms, attempting to wiggly free when her eyes landed on this father. Draco just held her tighter though.

"Put me down," hissed Hermione.

"No," Draco said, spoiled as ever. "Did you require an audience, Father?"

Hermione pushed against him, and he could smell her discomfort, so he conceded to set her down. Staying by his side, she slipped her hand into his again.

"What is this? The Headmistress sent an owl stating that you've gotten some…" Lucius looked from his son to Hermione. "Condition."

"I'm the same as I always have been," Draco said confidently. His father was an alpha too, whether he knew it or not. "You remember Hermione Granger?"

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said, confidently.

It was so sexy, the way she said Mr. Malfoy. When was the last time she called him Malfoy? He'd have to make her do that again.

His scent must have changed with his arousal, as Hermione looked up at him with wide eyes before shaking her head with a smile. Cheeky girl today.

"What is the meaning of this? Why-" Lucius inhaled deeply, intentionally. His jaw dropped slightly as he looked between the two of them. "Draco, you are coming home immediately."

Hermione squeeze his hand, and he brushed his thumb against her wrist. "Granger and I are happy to continue this conversation at the Manor if you'd prefer."

"Son, I don't think you understand," Lucius said, starting to get irritated. "This… this thing will corrupt your mind."

Draco went deathly still. The door to the inn opened and voices carried outside until it slammed shut again. "I will warn you once because you are my father. But you are not to insult Granger again."

"She's a creature! A beast!"

Draco smelt it then, his father's interest. His concupiscence. He didn't get to insult Granger because of the way his own body reacted to her.

"Come on," Hermione said, pulling him to walk the other way.

His rage was apparent to her. They shouldn't cause more trouble, not after everything else. Above all, keeping them safe had to be the priority.

"Expelliamus!" Draco casted, sending his father through the air until he hit the building and fell to the ground.

McGonagall would forgive him for this one more thing. Especially if he shared what his father called her.

"Draco!" Lucius screamed, getting back up on his feet. "You come home with me now, boy! We'll get you fixed up. Remove her spell."

Draco turned, pulling Hermione behind him in the opposite direction before he murdered his father in the middle of a school field trip.

"DRACO! There is no home for you if you walk away from me!" Draco stopped, turning in the road to meet his father' stare, unwavering. "You chose now. Your family, or her. A beast is no son of mine."

"Her," Draco answered quickly, and Hermione finally let out her breath.

He'd have to give her a lesson later for doubting him. The thought, coupled with Hermione's calming scent, thawing him a bit.

They were nearly to the Shrieking Shack before Hermione spoke again. "Draco… you should go speak with him."

"Fuck. No," he growled.

"He just doesn't understand," she pushed further.

"That's not my problem."

"Malfoy."

"Omega."

Hermione bit her lip to hold back a grin. "Cheater."

He smiled fully. He had her, he needed nothing else. "It's fine, Granger. I hate the old house anyways. Any sentiment it had was eradicated from the Dark Lord."

"Your life shouldn't be ruined because of me," she protested.

"He's not going to do anything. He can't disinherit me, those traditions are too ingrained in the bloodline to alter. I'll talk to him again at some point, but if I go back now, I am going to tear his fucking head off." The last words he spoke with venom.

Hermione looked at him, large brown eyes so beautiful and open. Letting him see straight into her. "We are really going to make it. Aren't we?"

Draco grinned. "Yeah, I think we are."

Hermione kissed him, her warm tongue pressing against his lips, and he opened his mouth to welcome her. Her soft gloves pressed against his cheeks, and she held his face. Draco couldn't wait to get her in private again.

"Come on," he said, pulling her back towards the town. "That bloody building is haunted something fierce. We shouldn't stay so close."

Hermione started laughing. Really laughing. The kind that ached her belly and brightened her whole face.

"What?! It is! You remember when we got attacked in third year," she actually doubled over and Draco had to lift her, starting to chuckle himself. "Granger?!"

Fuck, he loved this witch.

Professor Scamander was lecturing at the front of the classroom. Hermione was sitting towards that back, an empty seat next to her. It was the end of January, and her heat was due to arrive any day. Draco was still a few chapters behind, but he was willing to sacrifice looking stupid in front of his classmates if it meant providing comfort to Hermione.

His omega.

Whom he was going to mate the moment her heat started. All he had to do was wait.

"This seat taken?" Draco asked.

Hermione gasped, eyes glossing over slightly as she looked up at him. "Draco, are you joining classes? I told you, you were ready."

Fuck, she was so close. Too close to be sitting in a classroom with other alphas. Today would be her last day attending lessons until after her heat. His cock twitched at the thought of her fighting him on leaving.

"Hermione," he whispered, lowering himself into his seat. "Alright, love?"

She hummed. Like she did when she was drifting off or when his cock was in her mouth.

He placed his hand on her bare knee under the table and she spread them slightly, just enough for his hand to fit in between. They needed to get out of there, she was minutes away from her heat. An hour at most.

"Come," he said, tugging her hand, but she resisted.

"I need to finish my lessons," she said, shallowly. Like she was reading from a book. He turned her face to look in her eyes, and she was half-way into sub-space from just the seconds he was beside her.

"Professor, I'm going to accompany Ms. Granger to the infirmary," Draco said, standing up and pulling her beside him.

"Yes! Of course, go! Go!" Professor Scamander encouraged.

Thank fucking Salazar for him, by the way. How different their story would have ended if McGonagall didn't hire a magizoologist to teach DADA.

They got out into the hall, and Hermione started to dig in her heels. "My notes! My notes! I need them. I- I forget them. They have to be- I must-"

"I'll get them, wait here," he said, moving her to stand against the wall.

Lately, everything had to be perfect. Hermione needed everything in place. From her clothes to her books, to his clothes, and their bedding.

Draco rushed back into the classroom, grabbing her forgotten notes, and rushed back out. Granger was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees.

"Come on, love," he said, squatting down to coax her up. "We've got to go."

"Alpha," she whimpered looking up at him. "Help me. I need you."

"I got you," he said, pulling her to him. Fuck, they may not make it to the third floor.

Draco started down the hall, carrying Hermione as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She started kissing and licking on his gland and his legs nearly buckled. His gland was protruding again. Fuck yes. This was it.

They were going to do it right this time. Hermione would look forward to her heats with excitement and lust instead of pain and fear once he was done with her.

The staircase moved to the third-floor as Draco began to climb. He chose their room carefully, not daring to be interrupted. He casted every charm he could think of on the third-floor landing. By the time he was done, the floor was nearly unplottable. No one was interrupting them this time. Hermione started rolling her hips, desperate for friction.

The room he selected had been prepared throughout the week. Granger kept adding more items: blankets, pillows, his robes- anything that would make her more comfortable. He tried to fuck her on the bed she made a few days ago, it was so perfect. But Hermione said no; that they needed to save it. So, he fucked her hard against the wall of the room instead.

Now was the time though. Her sweet cunt was soaking his trousers through her panties. He kicked the door closed behind them once they arrived, sending another batch of protection spells just in case.

"Alpha," she whimpered again, licking up his neck, he threw her on the bed and stood over her.

She pushed herself up, leaning on her elbows to watch him. Draco gripped the back of her knees, yanking her to the edge of the bed. Golden brown hair laid out on the bed above her. The buttons on her shirt were stressed, her swollen breast pressing against them. He ripped it open with one hand, sending buttons flying across the room.

Fuck, her scent was intoxicating. He was going to fall into a rut any moment. But he needed to spoil her. To show her why he was her perfect alpha.

"It hurts," she groaned, lifting her hips so he could remove her skirt. "I'm so hot."

Draco dropped his mouth to her cunt, licking through her panties before ripping them off. He never got to spend enough time between her legs. He licked her clit, sucking into his mouth before moving down to tongue her pussy. Her legs tightened around his head as she rolled her hips against his face.

As soon as he slid his fingers in she came, her walls clenching around them. He slipped his soaked fingers under her bra to play with her nipples. It was one of many times she would need to come that night.

He flipped her over roughly, pressing a hand to her lower back to hold her down. The clasp of her bra was barely holding together and Draco hardly had to flick it before it popped open. He dragged his hands down her back until he gripped her ass.

"Alpha please. I need you," she moaned, curving her back to present her ass to him. "I'm so empty."

"That's a good girl. Spread your legs. I want to see my pussy," Draco commanded her.

Hermione got on her knees, spreading her legs and sticking a hand between them to open her folds. She was glistening. Like a fucking dream. He rubbed her ass, spreading her cheeks to see all of her. "Look how wet you are…"

He gripped her hips, thrusting against her hard with his trousers still between them. The friction of the material made her mewl. He pulled away, standing straight on the edge of the bed.

"Turn around, Omega," he told her, and obeyed. "You want me to fill you?"

"Yes, yes, Draco, please," she begged. So beautifully.

She crawled towards him, unbuttoning, and pushing down his trousers to let them pool at his feet. He tilted her head up to look into her eyes, she was nearly there. He wanted to wait until her heat arrived to enter her. Gods, what would she look like? How could she possibly smell any better?

"Suck," he instructed her, brushing her hair back lovingly.

She wrapped her lips around him, and he thrusted into her mouth. He groaned, looking up at the ceiling, falling into the pleasure of her mouth when it hit.

Draco gasped, sucking in nothing but the smell of Hermione. Her heat. It was intoxicating. He didn't even notice she had stopped sucking until he felt the fire of her skin against his as she climbed up him. He gripped her hair and pulled her lips to his.

The plan was to make it last, to keep himself in control to make it so good for her. As good as she was. But he let a hand slide down from her face and neck to her gland, and any remaining self-control he had disappeared.

The gland was throbbing against his fingers and Hermione faltered when he pressed against it. It was ready. All he had to was bite down, and she was his. Forever.

Mine, mine, mine, the alpha side of him repeated in his head. Shortly after, he was grunting it out loud.

Hermione grabbed his cock and rubbed it against her center, trying to get it insider her. There was no time to make her wait. He pushed her down on the bed and she yelped, but the next moment he was on top of her, and she sighed in his mouth.

"Help me. It hurts, please," Hermione begged.

Draco pulled her legs to surround him, and with one thrust, he was buried deep inside her. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, her back arching off the bed. Sweat was seeping from her body, and Draco brushed the curls away from her face, kissing her lips.

"That's it, take it. Take it like a good girl," he praised her, and she threaded her fingers in his hair, gripping tightly. "Good omega, are you ready for more?"

"More," she gasped.

Draco pulled out all the way before snapping back in again with a single thrust. He continued this. Slow and rhythmic speed, in and out, the force of which causing the bed to shift and hit the wall.

"Yes, alpha," she muttered, her hands trying to touch everywhere that she could.

"You can take more, my perfect omega. I'm going to fuck you hard now," Draco grunted, waiting for her to moan with anticipation before picking up his pace.

Draco sat back, pulling Hermione's hips up so they rested on his thighs. Her hair a mess of curls pooling on the bed and her breast bouncing with each thrust. He gripped her hips harder forcing her to meet him thrust for thrust.

"More, harder," she moaned, placing her hands over his. "Alpha, I need your cum. Fill me."

"You're so incredible," he told her, but the words hardly did her justice. "You take me so well. You're so fucking tight."

"I want you to stretch me with your knot. I miss it. I love you," she rambled, and her words were so perfect he fell on top of her to kiss the lips that spoke them.

"I love you, Hermione," Draco told her. "My beautiful, perfect omega. Mine."

"Make me yours. Bite me. You have to bite me."

He grabbed her wrist and held them over her head, just like their first time. Tightening and loosening to play with the pressure on her glands as he relentlessly pounded into her.

"You're mine. You're fucking mine." The alpha in Draco had taken over as he fell fully into a rut. "Whose pussy is this?"

"Yours, I'm yours," Hermione promised. Vowed.

Draco moved to grab both of her wrists with one hand, using the newly freed one to grab her throat. "Who fucks you?"

"Y-you," panted Hermione through his grip. Her cunt tightened and he groaned while he fucked her even harder.

"Who is my omega? My perfect girl?" he panted at her, cock starting to swell. "Answer me."

"Me- I am," she answered.

"Say you're fucking perfect," he demanded.

"I'm perfect," she breathed, and Draco would spend the rest of her life making sure she believed it. "You're mine, Draco. All mine."

"All yours," he confirmed, and he finally let himself take her gland in his mouth and she screamed. Her pussy squeezing him, trying to milk the cum out and fill her like she deserved.

"Bite me, please. Make me yours. I need you, I-" his omega was mindlessly begging.

The base of his cock locked in place and with a final thrust, he released inside her, and sunk in his teeth.

White.

Mint.

Sun.

Apples and honey.

Forever summer.

The whiteness faded, and when his vision returned, he looked down at the angel beneath him. Her chest was rapidly rising and falling, glistening with their sweat. Blood trickled out from where he bit her, and he lowered his mouth instantly to lick it away.

A sigh. Content, satiated, trusting, left her mouth. He licked her again, healing the wound until it was nothing but a silvery scar. One that would stay forever.

Hermione stood outside the house. The flowers in the front garden were blooming, just like they did at the beginning of every summer. The roses were overgrown, given her father was not there to tend to them.

The house was hers now. The title officially updated to her name instead of her 'late' parents. Draco offered to go with her to see them, even if just from a distance. Hermione was torn, not sure which option would be less painful.

Draco walked behind her, pulling their trunks. Hermione was sure he was cheating a bit with magic, but none of the muggle neighbors were outside to see it.

"This is it?" Draco asked with an appreciative grin. It shouldn't have mattered, but his approval on her childhood home meant the world to her.

"Care for a tour?" she asked, feeling melancholy but trying to push through.

She led them through the house. Draco casted cleaning spells to rid of the dust and debris that had made its way in, and by the time they got to her room, the house started to feel more like the home she knew.

Opening the door, her childhood bedroom was still fully furnished. Draco strolled in, taking in all her personal items. The room looked so small, or maybe Draco's presence was just so large. The Malfoy heir, pureblood, walking around her periwinkle bedroom with her pictures and music boxes.

Later in the year, they discovered their draw to each other worked in the opposite way in which they first assumed. Their scents were a reaction, not a cause. The distinct scents were created from who they are, and the more compatible, the more appealing the scents would be. It became more clear as the days and months passed, and Draco Malfoy proved to be everything should could ever wish for.

Draco picked up a photo of her, Harry, and Ron, smiling to himself before setting it back down.

"So, this is home?" he asked, looking over to her.

Hermione crossed her arms, feeling self-conscious. "It can be, if you'd like?"

Draco walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her. "I like."

He kissed her, walking her backwards until the back of her knees hit the bed and she fell backwards. "I love, in fact."

Hermione smiled fully as Draco pulled off his jumper and shirt in one motion and climbed on top of her.

It wasn't much, not compared to the fortune he left behind. But not much was needed to start over. Not when they had each other.

"Welcome, come in sweetheart," Draco's mother ushered them in.

It had been three years since he'd been home. His mother would write, but Draco refused to entertain a relationship with his father until he adequality apologized to Hermione. It took years, but one day he appeared outside of their muggle home, looking to make amends. He would have slammed the door in his face, if his sweet omega's heart didn't leap with joy.

Hermione always cared about being accepted, whether she would admit it or not. She would never sacrifice her morals or change who she was, but people's judgment of her weighed heavily on her heart. Lucky for her, she was bloody perfect, and the situation hardly ever happened.

Dinner was traditional, formal. The years passed and the manor had returned to the state it was when he was a boy. Hermione was so happy for him as he walked her around, showing her all the places he liked to hide and play.

They got to the family sitting room, reserved for more personal guests. Hanging on the wall was the Malfoy family tapestry. Hermione studied it, following the lines down and Draco had to look away when she pointed out how many times the branches crossed.

Until she got to the bottom, that is, where a new name sat, tethered to his.

Hermione Malfoy. His omega. His soulmate. His wife.

Surprise started to drift from her, and Draco hugged her from behind, peeking over her shoulder to see what caught her attention.

Sitting one level lower, connected to his name and hers was a thread.

The start of a new portrait, a new name, a new life.

A single thread, tiny and delicate, promising to change their lives forever.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading. I have so many cut scenes (including the entire time from January to when they graduate), but they didn't fit the "fluffy" theme. Maybe I'll expand one day, but this story is complete for now. Ta!

In response to a prompt by Anonymous in the DramioneABOFest collection.

PROMPT: Character A is only sweet to and protective over Character B.

Theme/Tone: Fluff, smut