Draco opened the car door for Hermione, and she stepped out nervously in front of the large mansion.
'My last visit here wasn't that happiest moment of my life.' Hermione told Draco.
'Oh…yeah.' Draco said softly remembering when they broke up around Christmas time.
'Draco?'
Draco knew that voice. More tears fell from his eyes. He didn't want to see her. He didn't want her to see him. He couldn't deal with this. He thought if he didn't make a noise, she would think he was gone. Suddenly she appeared in front of him.
'Go away.' He said.
Hermione was about to speak, when she saw the blade, and he was gripping his wrist.
'Oh my god…' She gasped.
She then began to cry softly.
'Oh, baby…' She fell to her knees and picked up the knife. 'What are you doing with this?'
'Nothing.' He snapped.
'Draco, please talk to me.' She asked desperately.
'I'm not going through with anything.'
'Going through? So you were going to kill yourself?'
'I'm not. Don't worry, you can still live knowing I'm living with a broken heart and fucked up life.'
Her hands flew up to her face, to cover it. She sobbed into her palms.
Draco's stomach knotted up. He hated seeing her cry. He hated seeing her in any pain.
Suddenly his mark began to burn again, he gasped and took many deep breaths. Hermione looked up and saw his pain.
'What's wrong?' She asked in pure concern.
She looked down and saw a black burn under his hand, that was holding his wrist.
Draco looked up at her. He knew she knew what it was.
'The ceremony…' She gasped.
She reached out and gently took his hand. He didn't pull away.
She looked down and saw the deep, dark black and red brand. It was a skull, and it scarred his skin. She could almost feel it burning through him.
She continued crying.
'I'm so sorry, Draco.' She said hoarsely. 'Please, you must believe me.'
Draco stared at her. He then saw she was wearing his ring.
'Your ring…' He sighed painfully.
She let go of his hand and looked down at it…
'You engraved it. "I'll Always Love You and You'll Always Be Mine"…what happened to that, Draco? You know I love you, you must.'
He shook his head violently wiping sad memories from his mind.
He grabbed Hermione's hand and they walked up to the manor. Draco opened the door and in less than a minute, a house elf was by Draco's side.
'Welcome home Master Draco! Can Hilde get you anything?'
'Is my mother home?' Draco asked her.
'Yes, sir, Madam Narcissa is in her the conservatory. Master Lucius died and she is grieving.'
'I see, well go inform her than her son is home, with is fiancée.'
Hilde's eyes widened and took a good look at Hermione.
'Ahh! Mes sees that you have a very pretty girl!' Hilde smiled.
'Thank you.' Hermione replied nicely.
'From which family does she come from?' Hilde asked.
'As a house elf, that is none of your business, now go tell my mother.'
Hilde ran quickly to the conservatory.
Draco turned to Hermione and brought her hands to his lips and kissed them.
'Are you okay?' He asked her.
'I should be asking you that. I feel so foolish.' She sighed, 'Your father just died and you are more worried about my petty fear of not being accepted by your grieving mother.'
'It's not foolish.' Draco told her. 'Don't worry. You'll be fabulous.'
He kissed her forehead, as a voice echoed through the extravagant entryway.
'Draco darling!'
Hermione turned to see a middle-aged blonde woman walking towards them. Hermione noticed she was very beautiful, tall and slender. She was covered in rich black lace from head to toe, but it suited her.
Draco turned his head from Hermione and smiled at his mother. He walked toward his mother, and embraced her.
'How are you doing?' He asked her sincerely.
'Oh, tut-tut, Draco. Don't fuss over me. I'll be fine.' Narcissa said bravely, 'I'm so happy to see you! I am so sorry that I couldn't make it to your graduation.'
'It's fine, mother.'
'No. It's not. I missed my only baby's graduation, I am so sorry.' She said genuinely, 'I haven't missed anything you've done, or any of your accomplishments, but I missed your biggest one yet.'
'I think, because of your near flawless record, that I can forgive you for this one. I understand, mother. Father died, it was perfectly natural for you to mourn and "claim" him.'
'I wouldn't have missed it to mourn, Draco. I only missed it to claim him.'
'It's forgotten, mother.' He said dismissing it. He then looked over at Hermione. 'I have someone to introduce you to.'
Narcissa looked over at Hermione and smiled sweetly.
'Oh, Draco,' she said almost sternly, 'I look a wreck! You bring your fiancée here when I look like this?'
'Mrs. Malfoy, it's no problem really.' Hermione said.
'No, no, you look so lovely in your outfit, I feel so out of place.'
Narcissa then removed a wand from her laces and transformed her outfit. Narcissa instantly became the most elegant woman Hermione had ever seen.
Half of her long blonde hair twisted up into a fancy bun, while the rest hanged down in curls. Her black lace outfit turned into a pink/peach silk dress that flowed down to her feet. A coral bow wrapped around her slender waist, a bow to match one that held her hair up.
Hermione's eyes were wide.
'You look lovely, mother.' Draco smiled, 'I don't remember the last time I saw you dressed up like that.'
'Your father didn't approve of bright colors. He thought it drew too much attention to myself.'
'You do look gorgeous, Mrs. Malfoy.' Hermione said.
'Oh! Narcissa will do! Come here and give your future mother-in-law a hug!' Narcissa exclaimed embracing Hermione.
Hermione looked past Narcissa's shoulder, at Draco and smiled.
'Draco never even told me he proposed! Now tell me all about yourself, and the engagement.' Narcissa insisted.
'I'm Hermione Granger, and Dr—'
Narcissa's face expression caused Hermione to stop talking. Narcissa's once beaming face turned into one of serious confusion.
'I'm sorry, did you say Granger? Hermione Granger?'
'Yes, ma'am.' Hermione replied.
Narcissa turned to Draco.
'The mudblood you spoke about?'
'Mother, what you have to understand is that blood doesn't matter. As long as you love someone…'
'Draco…Draco…Draco…' Narcissa began, 'pureblood as been running through your family veins since the beginning of the Malfoy name. I don't think you have the right to go and ruin years of tradition.'
'Mother!' Draco cried, 'Out of everyone I thought you would understand this!'
Hermione looked hurt and afraid. She backed away from Narcissa.
'Draco, what do you mean? If anyone found out that you, a Malfoy, were engaged to a mudblood havoc would ensue!'
'Don't call Hermione that.' Draco sneered.
'Draco, if you decide to marry her you will be disowned, I'm afraid. Your grandfather would never approve of this.'
'I already am disowned so it doesn't matter.' Draco spat.
'What are you talking about?' Narcissa asked cluelessly.
'You don't know?' Draco asked.
'Know what?'
'Father dearest took my inheritance away from me when I wouldn't follow Voldemort.' Draco told her, 'He disowned me, he said I was no longer his son.'
'Draco, the ministry sent a lawyer over this morning to talk to me about your father's will. You have everything, Draco. You own this house, the cars, the elves, the Malfoy name, unless I decide within ten days to take it away from you.'
Hermione saw Draco's eyes light up.
'I do?' He asked skeptically.
'Yes, dear.'
Draco turned to Hermione.
'They were empty threats, all of them.' Draco said to her.
Hermione nodded sadly.
Then Narcissa stared at Draco like something suddenly hit her.
'Draco…you have the dark mark. How could you not have followed the dark lord?'
'Professor Dumbledore gave Hermione and myself a charm to protect us.'
Narcissa's eyes glittered.
'And…you chose not to become a death eater?' She asked.
'No, I didn't want to be one so I chose to fight it.'
Narcissa smiled.
'I am so proud of you, Draco. I cannot believe you went against the dark lord, defied him…'
Narcissa was about to hug her son, but Draco backed away from her.
'Hermione was the one who changed me, mother. If it wasn't for her, I'd be running around with father and Voldemort killing innocent people.'
Narcissa looked over at Hermione.
'How did she change you?'
'Of you only knew all of the things we've been through already…' Draco sighed.
'Whatever happened to Pansy?' Narcissa asked.
'Pansy is a slut, she'll never be a bride. I never wanted her as a bride. I will never want her as a bride.'
'I thought you bought a ring for her for Christmas?'
'That was for Hermione, I just told you it was for Pansy. No one could know about Hermione and me in the wizarding world or father would go after us…like he and Voldemort did.'
Narcissa looked puzzled.
'How long have been you been courting her Draco?' Narcissa asked, pointing a long finger at Hermione.
'About nine months.' Draco replied.
'What?' Narcissa asked in utter shock. 'You've been together that long?'
'Yes. And Hermione was very nervous about coming to meet you. She was so afraid she wasn't going to make a good impression, she was so concerned, and look at you, mother. You are acting foolish. I told Hermione that you would love her because I do. Send me out now, if you wish, but I will never look at you the same again. Hermione is the most genuine, caring person I have ever met. When I received my dark mark, she came and cared for me. She's been helping me through everything this year. She helped me realize that I didn't have to grow up into father. She even made me realize that you, mother, are a part of me, the good part. I am starting to wonder if any blood in me is good now.'
Narcissa looked hurt.
'Draco,' Hermione said quietly, 'maybe that was too harsh.'
'No.' Narcissa said. 'He's right. I am acting like a foolish woman. Your father is dead and has no control over you or me any longer, Draco. You are free to love whomever, even if she is not pureblooded.'
'Thank you, mother.'
'Just give me some time to…think things through.' Narcissa told them.
She then retreated to her room.
Hermione sighed heavily.
'She hates me.' Hermione said sadly.
'No she doesn't. She just didn't understand at first. She was still trapped in "Lucius Malfoy Dominates My Life" world.' He said with a soft chuckled.
Hermione nodded.
'Well, I think I should go home for now.' Hermione told him.
'No, I think it would be best for you to stay here.' Draco said, 'That way my mother can see how much I love you in person…if she comes out of her room.'
'Are you sure?'
'Yes. You can stay in my room with me.'
'Are you sure that's the best place for me to stay?'
'I'm sure my mother knows I'm not a virgin. My father praised me when I was younger at how many girls I had…my mother never liked it, but you're my fiancée so it's not so bad.'
'I think if I am going to earn your mother's respect I should stay somewhere else.'
'My mother should be earning your respect.' Draco told her, 'but if you really don't want to stay with me…'
'Draco, I would love to stay with you…but for now, I would feel more comfortable in my own room.'
Draco nodded.
'All right, whatever you wish. But you room is going to be right next to mine. No exceptions.'
Hermione laughed.
'That's fine.'
'And…it'll have a door adjoining them so I can visit you anytime I want.'
'I suppose…' Hermione giggled.
Draco took her hand and showed her to her extravagant room. Hermione's room was mahogany and deep crimson. It smelled of vanilla and light cinnamon. Hermione loved it.
The next few days were quiet. It seemed only Hermione, Draco, and the house elves filled the large house. Narcissa stayed in her room, calling elves up for whatever she needed. However, not to Hermione and Draco's knowledge, once in awhile Narcissa would sneak down to watch her son and his fiancée.
One day she found Draco showing Hermione the manor's library.
'Come with me, love.' Draco told Hermione.
'Where are we going?' Hermione asked.
'I'm taking you to the part of the house that you'll love the most…other than my room of course.' He said with a smirk.
'Draco…' She said in a scolding tone.
Draco laughed and slid his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. He then kissed her forehead lightly.
Narcissa smiled softly, out of view.
Draco ran up to a large door and opened it.
'Oh! Draco! I've never seen so many books in all my life!'
'I knew you'd love it.'
Hermione's eyes glittered. She ran into the large open room, with walls of books.
Hermione pulled out a book and read the title. Then she looked quickly at Draco.
'A Hogwarts: A History, First Edition!' She cried excitedly.
'These are all first editions.'
Hermione giggled girlishly.
Draco laughed at her.
'You are a strange girl.' He told her. 'I don't think, out of all the girls I brought home, ever even cared to look at the library.'
'That's because all they cared about was your bedroom.' She said patronizingly.
'And the room of family jewels.' Draco added.
'Same thing.' Hermione said with a chuckle.
'Ooh…did my little gryffindor just make a dirty joke?' Draco asked with a laugh.
'Nooo…' She said shaking her head.
'Come here…' He told her.
She laughed and backed away.
He grabbed her softly and pulled her into him. He grabbed the book and tossed it aside.
'Draco! Careful! It's a first edition! One of a kind!'
'So am I…' He whispered to her.
He wrapped his strong arms around her, and she slid her arms around his neck.
He began to kiss her softly, she kissed him back lovingly.
He ran his fingers through her hair and then slid his hands to the small of her back.
He then lifted her left hand up and saw her engagement rings. He smiled and kissed her hand.
'I love you, Hermione.'
'I love you, too, Draco.'
Narcissa's eyes watered light.
My son just told a girl he loved her…and she returned his love. She decided to go back to her room and leave them alone.
Draco's fingers found Hermione's jeans zipper.
She grabbed his hands.
'Draco…your mother…'
'Is in her room. And remember, every room in my house has a silencing charm already on it.'
Hermione then kissed her fiancé passionately.
As Draco pulled Hermione's top over her head, he pushed her back towards a corner full of throw pillows. He laid her down on them, and removed his shirt. He tossed it aside with her pants and shirt and lay down on top of her.
He kissed her neck as she unzipped him. She slid his pants down, and then he kicked them off.
'I haven't made love to you in so long.' He whispered hoarsely in her ear, 'this is going to be sensuous and delightful.'
He kissed her neck again, until his trail moved him down to her navel. She moaned softly, and bucked her hips forward into his waist. His hands traveled her body and found her panties. He slowly pulled them down her thighs, to her knees, where she slid them off. His tongue traveled down her torso further, until he reached her warm mound.
Draco dipped his tongue inside her, Hermione cried out in ecstasy, grabbing Draco's head. She lifted her hips up, causing him to go further into her…he didn't mind whatsoever.
'Draco…Draco…' She spoke raspy.
'Yes?' He asked, taking a quick break.
She pulled him up her body, so she could reach his boxers. She began tugging them off.
'Ohh…a wee impatient?' He asked excitedly.
'Are you complaining?' She asked.
He shook his head furiously, helping her pull his boxers off.
Once they were added to the pile of clothes and kissed her as he inserted himself into her.
'Ohhhh…' Hermione moaned in the kiss, feeling him inside her again after so long.
He immediately began thrusting into her, pulling himself in and out of her.
It did not take long for either of them to create their own bodily lubricant.
Draco was grinding into Hermione in a fit of unadulterated passion. Hermione repeatedly cried out his name, loudly. Every time he plunged into her, she pushed back, causing them both to reach their peaks easily. Hermione orgasmed twice, leaving Draco feeling quite proud. Hermione bucked forward, her clit stroking Draco's member. Draco moaned blissfully.
'Ohhh Hermione…' He buried his face into her shoulder and kissed softly as he pulled out of her easily from their bodily fluids.
Hermione breathed heavily, Draco had even more trouble.
Draco proceeded to roll off of Hermione, but she held him back.
'Hermione…' he said raspily, 'you need to…breathe.'
'I'm fine.' She lied, 'I don't…want to lay…naked with nothing covering me…in your library.'
He smiled at her and rested on top of her gently, his elbows on the pillows, lifting himself of her a bit.
He looked down at her beautiful, glistening face. He leaned down and kissed her.
'What would I do with out you?' He asked her.
She shrugged.
'Shag Pansy?'
'Oh god…I am blessed to have you in my life.' He said with a chuckle.
She leaned up and kissed him.
'You're so sexy…' She winked, 'when you're sweaty.'
'Oh…what a compliment.' He joked.
She laughed at him.
'You're sexy all the time.' She corrected herself.
'You're not so bad yourself.' He told her.
'I love you, so much. I don't know how I lasted all those years hating you…' Hermione said.
'I know…what were you thinking?'
She scrunched her face at him playfully.
'Just joking, love.'
After a short hour of an uninterrupted nap, the two dressed and went to their separate rooms to shower and prepare for dinner.
After Hermione stepped out of her shower she threw on a robe and went to go dress. She saw a note sitting on her table.
Miss Hermione Granger, I have never seen my son show so much love for someone. I realize now Draco has never been happier, thank you. I have tried my whole life to make Draco's life happy and you, my dear, have succeeded. You've helped him live out his dream of a good life, unlike his father's and I appreciate that. I give you my blessing to be the bride of my only baby boy. I apologize for my rudeness and skepticism. Draco deserves every good thing in life, and I now see you are that good thing. I cannot wait to begin a new life with a daughter-in-law. You and Draco will be very happy. Thank you for loving my son with so much passion and tenderness. Narcissa.
Hermione beamed. She was so happy to gain respect from Draco's mother. Life with Draco was going to be the most enjoyable years of her life.
A/N: I have to admit I stole the Draco showing Hermione his library scene from The Beauty and The Beast. REVIEW PLEASE AND THANKS!