Disclaimer; Must I tell you again? I am not JK Rowling. Period. Moving on...

A/N I know we are supposed to limit review responses to private messages but I have to say one thing. If you are going to say something negative please leave your email in the proper section so that I can respond to you. Thank you. And on with the story, Happy reading and don't forget to review!

Admissions and acceptance

After the trip to the ministry the three of them returned to number 12 Grimmauld place. Remus, Tonks, Ginny and Ron were pacing the floor worried sick that something had happened to Harry and Hermione. When Harry, Hermione and Draco burst through the front door a cheer erupted from the room.

"Harry, thank gods! I was so worried!" Ginny cried running towards Harry and nearly tackling him to the ground.

"Everything is fine. Better than fine." Harry replied.

"What took you so long? It's nearly six. Where did you go?" Remus asked.

"To the ministry, well first to Malfoy manor then to the ministry." Hermione replied.

"The manor?" Tonks asked. "Why did you go there?"

"Because of me." Draco added. "I went there to visit my mum's gravesite. Thank Merlin they showed up, my aunt Bellatrix cornered me there. Harry and Hermione captured her and brought her to the ministry."

"You captured Bellatrix Lestrange?" Remus asked. Harry nodded. "Well done then Harry. And you too Hermione and Draco."

"Don't thank me. I put them in danger by running off like that. I didn't use my head." he said smiling at Hermione. "Luckily Hermione has enough brains for the both of us."

"Why did you run off?" Tonks asked looking suspiciously at Hermione and Draco.

"Because of me." Hermione said blushing. "He told me something and I didn't respond the way he thought I would. So he left to think it over. And he ended up at his mother's grave."

"What did he tell you?" Ginny asked.

"Uh…that's private." she said blushing. Draco looked down at the floor as well.

"What is going on?" Ron asked. "Something is not being said here, and if it is going to put the order in danger it needs to be out in the open." His ears were just beginning to turn red, Hermione knew that signaled that he was about to go on a rant.

"It's okay." Draco whispered in her ear. "Tell them." He grabbed hold of Hermione's hand and squeezed tightly.

"Draco and I…that is to say we, uh…well he loves me. And I love him." her voice was barely more than a whisper.

"I didn't quite catch that Hermione." Ron said loudly, his face now as red as his hair. "Speak up."

"We are in love." she said in a firm voice.

"That's what I thought you said." Ron replied walking over to stand toe to toe with Draco. "How dare you come into Harry's home and seduce our friend into believing you love her. That is just sick!"

"Ron, calm down." Harry said. "They are telling the truth. I saw it in her eyes at the Malfoy mausoleum."

The rest of the house stood there in complete silence. Tonks was standing next to Remus gripping his hand tightly. Ginny had moved behind Harry knowing Ron was about to blow.

"You condone this?" Ron asked. "Just because Malfoy here has helped us does not mean that he has proper intentions where Hermione is concerned."

"I think Hermione is smart enough to make her own decisions." Ginny said loudly.

"Does anyone care what I think?" Hermione asked in an annoyed voice.

"Of course Hermione." Remus said calmly.

"It is my choice who to care about. And Ron I care about you and Harry and Ginny like you were my own family. But I need more than that. I am a grown woman. I have emotional needs that family alone cannot fill. Please just let me make my own decisions. My own choices. Just accept my choices now and if they are the wrong ones be there to comfort me. That's what I need from you. That's what friends do for each other." her brown eyes pleaded with Ron.

"I do love her Ron." Draco said calmly. Ron turned to look at him. "She is the first person to make me feel like I have any worth. She took care of me when I was injured even though she hated me. I know how I have behaved in the past, and I am not proud of it. But if you have never believed anything that has come out of my mouth believe this. I love her. And if you give me a chance I will prove it to you."

Ron looked at Hermione and then back at Draco.

"Are you sure about this 'Mione?"

Hermione looked at Draco then back at Ron.

"I have never been more sure of anything Ron."

She held her arms out and hugged Ron tightly, whispering in his ear;

"I love you Ron. You will always be my family. My best friend."

He released her from the hug and nodded.

"Alright 'Mione." Ron said weakly. "You win. You always do."

"Alright, now that this is cleared up, let's celebrate!" Ginny said. "Hermione is in love and Bellatrix is going back to Azkaban! My mum and dad will be here shortly and so will Professor McGonagall. They are going to stay and go with us to Godric's hollow."

"Wonderful!" Hermione said. She felt so happy and full of hope that she practically glowed. Hermione made her way into the kitchen and began to prepare a huge meal for everyone. Just then the doorbell rang. Hermione wondered who could possibly be at the door so quickly but she continued to cook. Soon enough her questions were answered. Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood had come to visit.

"Neville, Luna! I am so glad to see you." she said hugging both of them tightly. "You heard about us capturing Bellatrix today I suppose?" Neville nodded. Draco entered the kitchen a moment later to the surprise of the newest houseguests.

"Neville, Luna you know Draco. He is helping us out on the Horcrux hunt."

"Hello." Neville said shyly. Luna merely smiled in a dreamy sort of way.

"Hello." Draco replied before kissing Hermione on the cheek. "I'm going to go talk to Harry." he said heading back for the sitting room where Ginny was decorating for a pre-mission celebration.

"What was that about Hermione?" Neville asked.

"Oh…" she said blushing. "that? Well, Draco and I are sort of dating." she said grinning from ear to ear, unable to control her extreme happiness.

"Dating? Draco Malfoy? I don't understand." Neville said. "I thought he hated, you know, muggle borns."

"It's a long story Neville, but we have worked past everything that happened when we were at school. Why don't you go talk to him? He's not the person he was at Hogwarts."

Neville walked gloomily towards the sitting room leaving Luna behind.

"I see why you forgave him." Luna said softly. "He's gorgeous."

Hermione blushed again.

"Yeah. So how have you been Luna? You look different."

"Well…I guess I have become skilled in glamour charms." she said in her wistful voice.

Hermione looked and noticed her blonde hair was no longer dirty blonde but smooth honey colored. And her eyes that were pale blue were now vivid and bright.

"Are you and Neville…you know…an item?" she asked giggling.

"No, just friends. I haven't found my soul mate yet." she told Hermione.

"Are you going with us to Godric's hollow?"

"I think so. I would like to anyway." Luna said.

"We would love to have you." Hermione said carrying the first tray of food from the kitchen to the sitting room.

"Can I help you?" Luna asked.

"Don't be silly, you are our guest. Go have fun with the others. Ron and Harry will be glad to see you." Luna walked ahead of her a few steps and into the sitting room. Hermione had never seen the room look so bright and festive. Ginny had placed several luminous non-exploding balloons in every corner of the room. The soft glow illuminated the room. Harry had brought up several flagons of pumpkin juice, oak matured mead and firewhiskey up from the cellar. Hermione placed the tray of appetizers on the table nearest the wall and joined in the celebration. A minute or so later Ron came down the steps and joined in as well.

"Bloody hell!" he yelled bringing the party to a stop.

"What is it Ron?" Hermione asked in a worried voice.

"Who is that?" he asked pointing at Luna.

"Ron, have you gone mental?" Ginny whispered "It's Luna Lovegood, from school."

"Luna, it can't be." he said holding his forehead.

"What is wrong with you Ronald?" Hermione asked.

"It's her. The girl from the mirror of Erised. The one I didn't know. That's her. It's Luna!" he said all in one breath.

"Luna?" Hermione asked. "Really? Are you sure?"

"I am totally one hundred percent sure. Why does she look different?" he asked Hermione.

"I think she is wearing a glamour charm."

"So what does this mean 'Mione? Is she really the 'one'?" Ron asked nervously.

"You know Ron; I think she just might be." Hermione smiled. "Go talk to her." she said pushing him across the room. Ron took a deep breath and crossed the room.

"Luna? You look…wow." he said turning a deep shade of scarlet. Luna smiled at him.

"Thank you." she said absentmindedly

Hermione was so happy for Ron and Luna. Next to arrive was Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Both of whom gave Hermione a huge hug before joining the others. Professor McGonagall arrived next with Hagrid in tow.

"'lo Harry." he said in his low voice.

"Hagrid, professor. I'm so glad both of you came. I suppose you heard about our big capture earlier."

"Of course Potter. Who hasn't?" McGonagall said primly before retreating to talk to the Weasleys.

"I'm so proud Harry." Hagrid said before helping himself to the mead. "Your mum and dad would be too."

Harry smiled at his large friend.

The whole house was filled with friends and family and a sense of happiness. And though everyone was worried about the trip to Godric's hollow they tried to push it from their minds for the rest of the evening. About an hour and a half into the party Draco found Hermione and pulled her upstairs for some privacy. He pushed her against a wall in their room and kissed her deeply. She responded immediately, feeling herself getting very turned on.

"I owe you my life twice now." he whispered in her ear. His voice was low and husky and it gave Hermione goosebumps. "I do love you." he told her.

"I love you too." she said softly. "Everything has happened so quickly. Love was the last thing on my mind."

"Mine too." he said kissing her neck and ear. "But fate must have had other plans for us."

"Oh…Draco." she moaned as he ran his hands over her back pulling her closer to him.

"I want you Hermione, don't say no. Not tonight. I love you so much." he said kissing her over and over wearing down her resistance.

"I want you just as much…but you know what I told you, how I was raised." she murmured.

"I know what you told me, but that was before. Before you knew how I felt." he said unbuttoning her blouse and kissing her chest. She inhaled deeply.

"Oh Merlin…" she moaned as he kissed her nipples and made his way down her stomach. She knew she was fighting a losing battle. Her body would not let her say no any longer. Her trembling hands removed her blouse completely and she led him over to her bed.

"Lock the door." she whispered. And Draco complied quickly. The sun was just setting giving the room a dimly lit glow. He pulled off his shirt and Hermione's eyes trailed over his body. Since she had been taking care of him he was no longer as thin, and he was regaining some tone. Her mouth felt extremely dry. He lay next to her and took her breast into his mouth suckling it lightly. She felt his hot breath on her skin. An open window on the opposite side of the room let a warm summer breeze play across her body. Draco removed what was left of her clothing and looked at her properly for the first time. His eyes went from her face to her breasts to her scant knickers that were left on her.

"You are so beautiful." he said. "How could I not have noticed it before?" He leaned in and kissed her stomach and made his way down pulling off her panties as he went.

Hermione's heart was beating out of her chest. And then suddenly she felt his breath on her thighs. She tensed up slightly but then relaxed as his mouth kissed and sucked places she didn't know existed. She moaned softly making him more determined to pleasure her. After what seemed like an eternity he kissed his way up her stomach and breasts until he reached her mouth.

"Did you…" he asked uncertainly. She nodded before pulling him down into a deep kiss. Draco pulled off his boxers and Hermione felt his hardness rub against her thigh. Her pulse quickened as she knew the pleasure and pain she was about to feel. He parted her legs with his hands and she inhaled deeply. This time there was not as much pain and much more pleasure. She didn't know if his previous actions had helped prepare her what was to come but she was thankful. Draco buried his head in her hair as he worked his hips in a rhythmic motion.

"Oh gods Hermione…I thought I would never see you again." Draco moaned in her ear.

"Mmmm…me too." she panted. His lips came crashing down on hers again. Kissing him was like breathing to her at that moment. She gasped for his touch. Smothered for his lips. His hands went behind her and lifted her hips up off the bed slightly. This change in position brought an earth shattering orgasm for her. He brought his lips down again on hers to stifle her scream before coming as well.

"Shhhh…" he whispered. "Lots of people downstairs."

Hermione giggled.

"Sorry." she said.

"Hey I don't mind, but some of the others might." he joked. "If it were really up to me I would have the whole neighborhood hear you screaming my name." Hermione scowled.

"Not modest at all. That's what I love about you." she said. "Of course it used to be what I hated about you as well. That Slytherin ego."

"You never lose some things. I guess I can live up to my Slytherin sex god title then eh?" he asked propping his body up on one elbow.

"I don't know about that…" she said. "they didn't really call you that did they?" she asked curiously.

"No, but I called myself that." he grinned.

"Pathetic. True but pathetic." she grinned back.
"Should we get back to the party?" He asked pulling on his shorts.

"I suppose. Only two days left to live a normal life." she said.

"Two days until we could be free." Draco replied.

Hermione wished she felt the same.