Very rated r chapter...Please do not read if you are of a delicate temperament as it may offend you. Hey thats two chapter within two days! It makes up for the huge gap in between...sry bout that. Thanks for all the reviews!

Chapter Twenty

Hermione had decided not to tell Harry and Ron about what had happened because it would result in boiling blood and a thirst for revenge. They had come to visit Hermione in her dormitory in which she was rehabilitating and she simply told them she was pale and sick because of the witch flu she had caught from Eloise Midgen. They showered her with chocolate frogs and bertie bott's every flavor beans and came for regular visits. Hermione still had a quiet temperament, but she became more alive in the pleasureful company of Draco. He in turn made sure she ate and was never unhappy. And that was how Hermione had spent her two weeks off. Draco had taken her on many walks through a private garden Dumbledore had requested Professor Sprout to bewitch right under their balcony window.

Hermione returned to classes and was still a little morose. But she had formed a lovely relationship with Draco. I mean they hadn't done anything, Draco was kind enough to respect that, but it was a sort of tacit bond. She was still sleeping in Draco's room. He still slept in bed with her, with the same over and under sheets arrangement. She felt so safe, like wherever Draco was she was in a sort of haven. And just like a butterfly that shed off its cocoon in front of Hermione's eyes; she saw Draco for who he really was on the inside. All those years of accumulated hate against him resulted in...was it love? She didn't want to start anything because she was still a little afraid of relationships. She had experience of what they could be, and then soon turn into. She regularly performed intermediate cheering charms upon herself while getting dressed, and they really helped make the day go by faster.

5 WEEKS LATER...

Hermione was almost herself now. Because of the extremely effective cheering charms, she was slowly forgetting all the graphic details of what had happened. Soon it was an incident of the past, she didn't need cheering charms anymore because Draco was doing enough to keep her constantly happy. She was unconsciously flirting with him while he spent time with her and was enjoying herself. She looked forward to the time they would spend together in the evenings doing Head Boy Head Girl "duties." Three days ago they had spent almost five minutes staring at each other unknowingly as time slipped by them. It was just bliss staring into the depths of once cold, but now warm grey eyes and drowning in them.

Hermione sat curled up in one of the couches facing the fire feet tucked in under her. The wintry frosts were starting to settle in and harder cold gales blew outside that froze Hermione's hands to her books these days. She was reading Dueling With Vampires; Edition II by Emis Flerner. She heard a cautious knock on the door and looked up, her finger automatically stopping on the last word she was reading. The door slowly opened and no one was there, but then Hermione looked down and saw that there was large tennis ball eyes staring at her from next to the doorknob. "Dobby!" Hermione said happily and he came in and bowed. "How are you Miss?" Asked Dobby staring adoringly up at her. "I'm fine, and you?" She asked the little house-elf. She noticed that Dobby was wearing one of her caps that she had knit in her fifth year. "I am fine Dumbledore sir has been most gracious." And then he remembered suddenly "Oh I forgot why I was here!" He smacked himself on the forehead and then went out. Hermione raised her eyebrows and then saw Dobby completely covered by large white roses that obscured his vision. He stumbled madly into the room and then gave her the flowers. "Master requested me to send these to you." With that he bowed with his long nose touching the floor and left.

Hermione smelled the glossy white silky roses and let their perfume permeate her senses. When she opened her eyes she saw Draco standing by the door with his hands crossed over his chest smirking at her. "Like them?" He asked her walking over to the couch. "I love them, they're so pretty-" She began but then Draco stopped her with a finger on her lips. He leaned in close and so did Hermione and then he suddenly leaned back. "So what do I get in return?" "Huh?" Hermione said uncertainly and then said "What would you like?" "Not much." He replied. "Well I don't have anything at the moment, but I can give you this." She got up and Draco saw a look of uncertainty cross her face which she changed to a smile. And without warning she gripped the front of his shirt pulling him close and indulged herself with a kiss. "Good enough?" She asked. Draco shook his head astonished. He had not expected her to do that...I mean she was recovering pretty quickly and ready to move on from what happened. He supposed some people recovered more quicker than others.

Hermione walked up to her staircase and said "I think I'll sleep in my room tonight, good night." She walked nimbly up the stairs and shut the door behind her.

Hermione arrived in potions class the next day followed closely by Harry and Ron. She saw Draco and smiled slightly and then walked to the back of the classroom where she set down her bag. Harry and Ron sat on her either side. Ron was a little flushed throughout the whole class asking Hermione if he could do this or that, or crush her scarab beetles for her. Hermione had said she would be alright by herself but he kept at it all the same. "Ron I've made tons of successful potions before, I suggest you concentrate on your own because I don't think it's supposed to smell like rotten eggs!" And after that he shut up. Before class ended Ron slipped her a note and then walked away with Neville. Hermione opened it and saw that it said "Meet me by Boris the Bewildered after class. –Ron." She crumpled up the note and stuffed it in her bag then went to the statue. She saw Ron standing by it fidgeting and straightening his robes. He stopped immediately when he spotted her. The whole hallway was empty. "Er...hi." He said his hands in his robe pockets. "What did you want to see me about?" Said Hermione cutting it short. "I was wondering if you thought about...you know." Hermione was blank for a moment then realized he was talking about the last time they had met alone. "Ron. What I said last time stands. I'm sorry, I'm your best friend and I want to keep it that way." Said Hermione saying it apologetically as she saw Ron's face become crestfallen. His face flushed and becoming slightly angry he said "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize you and Vicky were still going out." And with that he stormed away. "Vicky" Hermione said and realized he was talking about Viktor Krum. She shook her head and walked away.

The halls of Hogwarts were now buzzing about Christmas and what people they were doing during the holidays. Hermione was going to stay at Hogwarts. She wasn't really ready to face her parents just yet. It would probably cause her eyes to fill up and she would have to tell them what happened and she really didn't want to. Meanwhile she and Draco snuck kisses when they were alone and Draco left flowers and notes for her everywhere. Hermione was now smiling more, and even humming to herself. Draco kept on saying that he had a surprise for her for on Christmas and when she asked what it was he only smiled and said just wait a little longer. Hermione was now on the edge of her seat to find out what it was. Meanwhile Hermione had gotten Draco something from one of the obscure shops in Hosmeade. It was a glass heart which was about the size of her hand. It was perched upon a base of limestone. The inscription said that the heart would turn red filled with shiny red dust from the planet Mars which is only found deep inside the ground when the person they loved was thinking about them. Hermione knew it would always stay red.

Slowly around the time the holidays approached the school seemed a little emptier each day. Hermione usually spent her time with Draco in front of the fire, reading, finishing up homework, or "other" things. The halls were hung with mistletoe and holly and there were little elves walking around delivering remaining students their Christmas greetings and saying "Have a happy Christmas!" in their squeaky voices. Hermione got a ton everyday and you can just guess who they were from. On Christmas Eve Draco approached Hermione with his hands behind his back. "Ok I'm going to give you a part of your Christmas present today." He held out his hands and there was a rectangular gift box wrapped in green glossy wrapping paper and tied with a large silver bow. Hermione eagerly took it in her hands and opened it. She put aside the silver paper inside and pulled out a red dress. She gasped and jumped up and hugged Draco. Then she went back to the dress and held it out to take a good look at it. It was red with two thin straps that crisscrossed in the back. The bottom of the dress had light frills and it hitched up on one side to her left thigh. It had a red silky scarf with it and Hermione fingered it lovingly. "Its-beautiful." She said quietly. She gave Draco another quick kiss and then went upstairs to try it on. Draco acted as if to follow her. And she stopped and turned around with a mischievous grin on her face. "I'm a big girl now I can change by myself. You wait here." She said and ran up the stairs.

She tried on the dress and it fit her exactly right. She gasped at her reflection in the mirror as it clung perfectly to her curves and showed off her figure. She didn't really wear clothes like these but she looked amazing. She heard Draco call from outside; "Come out and show me!" "That's going to be your surprise." Hermione replied laughing. He'd have to wait just like he made her wait. She gently took it off and put it back in the box. Then she carefully placed it in her oaken chest and walked out on the landing. "I think I'm going to go to sleep now..." She suppressed a yawn and Draco leapt up the stairs and started tickling her.

Hermione awoke on Christmas morning and went downstairs after freshening up. Draco was still asleep and she saw a pile of wrapped presents at the base of a decorated tree that had appeared there during the holidays. She went down and unwrapped her presents. There were a set of books from Harry, a large box of candy that sang Christmas carols from Ron, the usual from Mrs. Weasely, and then she noticed a small box that she had missed which rested next to her parent's presents. She unwrapped it and found a tiny box which held a silver chain inside. The pendant was a heart with the letters D and H entwined. Hermione gasped and put it on. She looked at her reflection in the mirror up in her room and saw that it was beautiful.

At night they went for Christmas dinner and Hermione wore some new dress robes her parents had sent her. She dined in the company of the remaining students and the presence of the teachers. The hall was decorated with frost and Christmas trees and bows of holly and mistletoe and little faeries winking in and out of places. The elves that delivered their greeting cards stood on a little stage and sang Christmas carols. There were little treats on the table; little boxes filled with candy and the like. After it was finished everyone went up to their rooms. When Hermione got to her dormitory she quickly changed into the dress Draco had given her, and fixed the silver chain around her neck. She did a hair fixing charm on her hair having it come down in rivulets and soft curls. She touched up on her makeup and admired herself in the mirror and then went downstairs. Draco was waiting for her facing the fire and sitting on the couch. When he heard her come down he turned around and it seemed as if his eyes popped. She was stunning and she looked great. He noticed his pants becoming uncomfortable. "Wow." He said. Hermione smiled and then Draco took her by the hand. "I'm going to take you to the surprise." She nodded and he led her through the hall and Hermione thought how silly it would look if someone saw her in the dress and Draco leading her by the hand somewhere. She giggled silently and Draco didn't here her. Then he let go of Hermione's hand and walked in front of a blank wall 3 times. Hermione recognized this as a way of gaining entry to the Room of Requirement. A door appeared and Draco led her through with his hands on her eyes. Then he let go.

Hermione gasped at the site. There was red everywhere. There was a little lounge with crimson colored chairs around a little table, and then a little bar sort of thing to the other side and then a bed covered with silky red coverlets with hangings around on one side. There were crimson colored curtains, and lots of hangings on the walls. The floor in front of her was cleared and she expected it was for dancing. There was a balcony lit with faeries and moonlight. It was a breathtaking site. Draco turned on the music. "May I have this dance?" "You may." They waltzed around the room to fast dances which made them breathless and then to slow ones in which Hermione lay her head upon Draco's shoulder. When the music stopped they just stood there Hermione's head on Draco's shoulder eyes shut moving to the music in their heads.

Then Draco stopped and held her head gently so that he could see her face. "Do you want to do this?" He asked her and Hermione nodded. She knew this was going to happen and she wanted it to. She was ready. She believed this would erase memories of what happened before. He kissed her on the lips and her mouth opened and he slid his tongue through. They couldn't get enough of each other no matter how far they delved into each other. Hermione's hands were on his back and she could feel his erection against her thighs. She wanted him so badly the whole past month was leading up to it. Draco shrugged off his dress robes and he was wearing a pair of black pants with a pale green muscle shirt. He was so perfect. Hermione slid her hands up his chest feeling his muscles and then had Draco unzip her dress. She let the dress fall away and she seductively sat on the bed with her matching red bra and underwear, exposing half her breasts. Draco pulled off his shirt exposing his creamy white beautiful skin with muscles from all those quidditch practices. He walked up to her and started planting kisses on all the exposed parts of her body. He pressed a hand to her navel and indulged himself with another kiss. Hermione pushed him back on the bed and bent down and slowly seductively unzipped his pants with her teeth while Draco lay moaning. She pulled off his pants and tossed them to the floor. She smiled at the site of his wet satin green boxers and tugged at their waistband. She slid her hand through and grabbed what was there and Draco moaned even louder. She went to get up when Draco grabbed her hand and deftly slid off her bra. She sat there topless and Draco gently pushed her down on the bed and layed a kiss to each breast. Then he sucked on them while Hermione moaned and had her hands in his silky hair. He put his hand while doing that to her panties and slid them off. Hermione did the same with his and Draco tasted her. Hermione screamed in pleasure and then she pulled off Draco's boxers and did the same. Then Draco pushed Hermione down on the bed and got on top of her. He locked his lips with her and slid his tongue through once more along with something else. Hermione screamed Draco's name again and again as it was the most erotic moment in her life. Draco did it again then made to come out but Hermione wrapped her legs around him keeping him there. It felt like they were in their own world lying at the brink of something. They lay that way for ten minutes then he pulled out. They lay panting and breathing heavily. Then Hermione got up in her sheet and walked to what appeared to be the bathroom. Draco gripped the sheet and followed. Hermione turned on the Jacuzzi and let the water run while she grinned at Draco.