Wednesday found Hermione in Potions sweating over a hot cauldron. The first half of the week had gone by pretty uneventfully. It consisted of catching up on homework, making Harry and Ron actually do their homework, and acting as if her husband was still the scum of Slytherin.

The latter was surprisingly the easiest task she had set herself for the week, seeing as she had just chosen to avoid him at all costs. Today she absolutely couldn't find it in her to ignore him, though. Tonight would be the first night they would spend together since their wedding night and her nerves were getting the best of her. It didn't help that he was currently only two work tables away.

Why did he have to have platinum blonde hair that would stand out no matter where he went? It certainly didn't help her keep her eyes on her potion. She felt a sticky palm jerk her wrist and looked down in protest when she realized she was about to add foxglove to a Wiggenweld Potion. Snape was on her in an instant.

"How, may I ask, does one confuse foxglove for lionfish spines?" he hissed at her.

Hermione's face turned beat red at the ridiculous mistake she had almost made. She realized the whole class had stopped working and was waiting for her to answer.

"By not paying attention, sir."

"Correct. Now tell me, what would have happened if you had of added foxglove to the potion instead of the specified lionfish spines?" He was furious and Hermione knew her professor had all right to be. Her mistake was detrimental.

"The drinker would have died, sir."

"Then I suggest you stop eyeing Mr. Malfoy during my class and pay attention to your work!" Snape stormed off to the front of the classroom before whipping around to face Hermione again. "60 points from Gryffindor for such open foolishness."

Hermione wanted to sink through the floor. She had been caught staring at Draco and she knew the points taken away were as much for her slipup in discretion about their relationship as they were for her close call with the potion. In her defense, she doubted half of the class would have been aware of her staring at Draco if he hadn't called her out on it for everyone to hear.

He got his point across though, because for the rest of the class period Hermione had no trouble focusing on her potion and ignoring the cause of her point deduction. As soon as the class was over Ron and Harry lit into her.

"What were you thinking staring at Malfoy?" Ron basically shouted.

"60 points! Hermione, you've barely even gotten five points taken away before. What is wrong with you? Are you ill?" Harry asked, concerned yet still angry, on the other side of her.

"She was staring at Malfoy and you are asking if she is ill? You know what; maybe that is what's wrong. She'd have to be ill to stare at the likes of him."

Hermione knew if she didn't interrupt them their bantering would just continue until they came up with their own crazy assumptions. She really hated to respond to their childish antics though.

"Boys! I'm not ill. I wasn't staring at Malfoy, I was just zoned out and it appeared that way. As for losing 60 points in one class, can we please not talk about it? I feel awful enough as it is."

"Since when do you zone out?" Ron looked at her confusedly.

Hermione chose to ignore him, knowing for once the red head had a point. She never zoned out in class, not even in History of Magic. She knew her excuse was flimsy at best, but hopefully the two inquisitive guys beside her would choose to let it go. There was no way she could keep coming up with reasons for losing their house 60 points.

"Well, at least that was the last class of the day. We don't need you losing Gryffindor any more points." Harry elbowed Hermione in the side, smiling to show he was teasing her.

She looked at him gratefully, returning the smile. Again she thought how lucky she was to have a friend like Harry. He always understood her and could pick up on her moods easily, whereas other people could be completely oblivious. He was definitely the brother she had never had and she wished with all her heart she could tell him what actually was going on with her.

He would never understand her marrying Draco no matter how good of a friend he was. Hermione realized she was contradicting her own thoughts but it was the truth. He could understand her emotions and he would even understand her reasoning behind marrying Draco. What he wouldn't understand would be her acceptance of the situation. Best case scenario, he would curse Draco's bits off.

Hermione had allowed her hand to start fiddling with her wedding band while thinking but quickly snatched it down when a freckled hand waving in front of her face caught her attention.

"Earth to Hermione! Bloody hell, what is with you today?"

"Huh?" she looked at Ron, slightly annoyed.

"We were asking if you wanted to go down to Hagrid's for a bit." Harry jumped in before Ron could continue.

"I don't know you guys…we have a lot of studying to do."

In truth, Hermione really just wanted some time to herself to prepare for tonight. True, her and Draco had been actually trying to make the best of things last time they were together and actually getting along, but that didn't mean the thought of seeing him again alone didn't still make her nerves flare up. She still was having a hard time wrapping her head around how nice he was being towards her. A trip to Hagrid's would mean she'd have to go straight to the rooms she and Draco shared with no time in between.

Her decision was made for her when Ron yanked her by the hand giving her no choice but to follow.

"C'mon, Hermione. We haven't seen Hagrid in ages and you know how upset he'll be if you aren't there."

Hermione couldn't find it in her to argue against going after that. Ron was right, it had been a long time since they had seen Hagrid and he would certainly question why she wasn't there, which would mean a trip by herself to see the half-giant. She loved Hagrid to death, but the thought of having nobody else there to help distract him from the fact she wasn't eating anything he offered her made her cringe.

"Fine, but we can't stay too long-"

"Yeah, yeah, studying, we know Hermione. Now come on!" Harry started walking briskly and she almost had to run to catch up.

When they got close to Hagrid's hut they could hear Fang's booming bark and Hermione inwardly cringed at the thought of the lovable dog slobbering all over her. She loved Hagrid's dog, but she didn't think Draco would appreciate her showing up covered in dog drool.

Before they could reach the door it was thrown open and the booming voice of Hagrid greeted them.

"Bout time you three showed yer face. I was beginnin' to wonder if Malfoy had finally got his father to pay for you to all be expelled."

"His father can try all he wants, but Dumbledore would never allow it." Harry had a scowl spread across his face at the mere mention of his long time enemy.

Hermione tried not to take offense at what was being said, knowing it was true Draco had been a git to them since they met him, and for the other three there was no reason to think otherwise. Unfortunately, Hermione had seen the kind of person he could be and it pained her to hear him being ridiculed.

She bit her lip to keep herself from saying something in his defense. She gasped when she bit too hard as Ron said something exceptionally rude about her husband. Hagrid must have noticed because suddenly her turned his attention from the boys to her.

"Yeh alrigh' Hermione? Yeh've been awful quiet over there. You normally 'ave somethin' specially nasty to say 'bout that greasy git."

Licking her lip, hoping it wasn't bleeding, Hermione looked up at Hagrid, hurriedly coming up with the lie she normally used. "Sorry, just thinking about all of the studying that I have to do."

Hagrid beamed down at her. "O' course yeh are. An' I hear our Hermione is goin' to graduate top of her year, she is." He looked around at Harry and Ron conspiratorially, patting his stomach for emphasis, as was his habit.

There was nothing to do to keep the blush from forming on her face at the pride radiating off of Hagrid. She quickly tried to brush off his praise before he got carried away.

"Well, maybe. Malfoy is in the running as well."

Harry looked as if he was about to say something, but seemed to think better of it remembering their past conversation concerning the Slytherin's rank in their class. Instead he cleared his throat before looking back up at Hagrid.

"Do you mind if we come inside? We really don't have much time, just wanted to see you before we got too busy with all of our schoolwork."

"O' course, o' course! I jus' made a fresh batch o' treacle fudge for you all to eat!"

That comment took everyone's attention away from Hermione's sudden disinterest in making snide comments against her sworn enemy. The horror that spread across all three of their faces looked as if he had just told them he had got a new "pet" for them to meet. Honestly, Hermione didn't know which was scarier.

The rest of the visit passed by rather smoothly, even if Hermione was getting more and more anxious by the minute, causing her to zone in and out of the conversation. Harry and Ron managed to slip their fudge to Fang, effectively gluing his mouth shut and keeping drool off of their clothes, as well as not having to eat the substance.

Before she knew it they were telling Hagrid their goodbyes and promising him they would be back the minute they got the opportunity. Hermione half-heartedly thanked Hagrid as he quickly shoved a tin of leftover fudge in her hands as a reward for being at the head of the trio's class. She honestly could think of better rewards to receive, but knew that Hagrid meant well so it warmed her heart all the same.

Besides, if Draco started being a prat she could just use one to glue his mouth shut or break his perfect teeth, whichever happened first. She laughed to herself picturing the blonde panicking over his teeth being broken by the treat. He always seemed to forget magic whenever he got hurt, which was odd since he was a pureblood, but funny all the same.

She was silently laughing to herself when they entered the castle. She had almost forgotten her nerves when unmistakable white-blonde hair caught her eye. Their eyes locked and he sent a subtle jerk of his head her way letting her know they needed to go before abruptly walking away. Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat caused by his gaze before directing her attention to the boys.

"Hey, you guys, I have to go. Don't wait up for me. I'm not sure when I'll be back."

They stopped and turned to look at her. Ron looked shocked for some reason Hermione wasn't sure of. Was it really that weird that she had plans that didn't involve them?

"Hermione, you promised to help me write my essay for Snape tonight!"

Oh, right, that would be why.

"Ron, I'm so sorry, but Dumbledore has decided that since I'm at the head of the class I will be getting private lessons on certain nights of the week."

Ron's face went from shocked to upset. "Mione, that paper is due tomorrow! How will I write it if you aren't there? That's a whole essay to write!"

His whining set Hermione's nerves on edge. Really, what was so hard about those two doing their own work?

"Well, Ronald, maybe you should have thought about that and started on it last week when it was assigned to us!" Looking over at Harry she smiled. "Go to the library and check out Exotic Potions from Africa, that should be all you two need to write two feet."

Harry smiled back at her, ignoring the grumblings still issuing from Ron. "Thanks, Hermione. Good luck."

Once again, Hermione felt a pang at not being able to confide in her best friend. He had matured quite a bit in the past year. It was even more apparent now, when he was accepting her reason for leaving instead of demanding to know why Dumbledore didn't give him private lessons as well.

Waving bye to the two, she made her way up the stairs to her s and Draco's rooms. Really they needed a name for their rooms, this was getting ridiculous. Maybe that was something they could discuss tonight. That is, if he didn't just demand she go straight to their bedroom.

Hermione chastised herself. She really did need to quit assuming the worst. Hadn't Draco proven so far that he was actually quite the gentleman? Wasn't she the one trying to stop people from judging based on blood? The best place to start would be to quit judging her husband all the time.

As she reached the door, she paused before saying the password and stepping in. Glancing around the sitting room her gaze quickly found Draco sitting on a loveseat by the fireplace, which was the only light in the whole room giving it a very cozy feel. When Draco motioned for her to sit beside him any apprehension that was left melted away.

Walking towards him Hermione noticed how small the living room actually was, not at all like their large bedroom. Were they not expected to spend much time in here? Shrugging it off, she sat down relishing in the warmth of the fire. She liked the coziness, the castle probably just picked up on her tastes.

"I thought we could just relax by the fire and talk a little tonight, if that was ok with you?" Draco was swirling a glass of what looked like champagne in his hand.

Hermione threw a questioning glance at him, wondering how he got alcohol inside the school and then scoffed at herself. He was a Malfoy, of course he could sneak expensive champagne in. Heck, he probably was allowed it without having to sneak it in. His father was on the school board.

Breaking out of her thoughts when Draco handed her a glass, she grasped it before answering him.

"That sounds great. Erm, I don't really drink."

"Hermione, it's just champagne. One glass won't hurt you or even make you tipsy. I just thought it would be nice considering what all has happened this week."

"Well, I guess. So what all did you want to talk about?" Hermione toyed with her glass before taking a small sip. The taste was a little odd since she had only had champagne once, but she thought if she drank enough she could enjoy it.

"What's your favorite subject?"

"What?" she snatched her eyes back to his face. "Oh, well, Arithmancy. And yours?"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Why Defense?" Hermione honestly thought he favored more of the Dark Arts so why love how to defend yourself from them?

"I have my reasons, but mainly because it's one of the only subjects that will actually be useful in this damn war." Before she could question him further he continued. "Why Arithmancy? I heard you hated Divination."

Hermione huffed up. "Please don't compare the two. Arithmancy is logic-based; it revolves around numbers and equations. It's almost scientific. Not at all like the ridiculous guesswork involved in Divination."

Draco just chuckled at her. "Leave it to you to see it that way. Hermione, may I ask a more…personal question?" His eyes looked at her, but he seemed a bit nervous.

Hermione took another sip of her champagne before nodding her head for him to continue.

"How far had you gone with a guy before the other night?" Now he was definitely avoiding her gaze and seemed a bit tense.

"Well, oh this is embarrassing, I kiss Krum back in fourth year and he tried to take it a bit further. I guess we made out a little, but I wasn't very comfortable with it so it never went any further."

She noticed his shoulders seemed to relax and she was confused as to why that answer seemed to put him at ease. Maybe he was just afraid she'd hex for asking such a personal question.

"So, you had never even been touched by another guy before the other night?"

"No. I know that seems silly, but I just stay so busy with my studies and helping Harry, dating really hasn't had much priority in my life. So, your turn now. Who did you lose your virginity to?"

Draco whipped his head back towards her with his eyebrows scrunched together.

"Hermione, must we discuss that? I don't see how it matters now."

"I'm just curious, I feel like I have a right to know who knows my, well my husband in such a manner."

Draco quickly downed what was left of his champagne and poured himself another glass before speaking.

"Pansy Parkinson, if you must know. Bloody horrible experience. I'm pretty sure it's a miracle my bullocks didn't fall off from that wench. Trust me when I say being with you has been the only experience I've had so far that I don't want to obliviate myself from."

Hermione realized her mouth was slightly open from what he has said. It really did make her feel better to hear that, but then how many people had he slept with? She didn't know if it was wise to ask him, but being a brazen Gryffindor she did anyway.

"Who else have you…been with like that?"

She could have sworn she heard him muttering something like "insufferable woman" and "should have got some firewhiskey" under his breath but she couldn't be sure.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

"Astoria Greengrass, Padma Patil, and Lavender Brown." He downed his glass again.

Hermione stared at him not knowing what to say. She knew she heard he got around, but sweet Merlin. "You, you slept with Lavender Brown?"

"Look I'm not proud of who I've slept with or how many people I've slept with, but it was expected of me. I wouldn't be considered a Malfoy if I didn't get around somewhat while in school and you can believe my father would know if I didn't."

This brought up another issue that troubled Hermione more so than the fact she had to deal with the fact of her husband sleeping with four other girls before her. Not only that, but four other girls she saw on a regular basis. No, this was much more troublesome.

"Draco, what exactly is going on with you and your father?"

He seemed to be considering what to tell her before he quickly picked up the bottle of champagne and refilled his glass again and then filling hers after she consented.

"I don't want to talk about it. No, I can't talk about it. Just don't worry about it. It really isn't something life-changing or anything. Just a family spat."

Hermione looked at him worriedly, but decided to let it go for now. Then she did something that shocked her. She leaned towards Draco and kissed him.

It was a gentle kiss, more to be an act of comfort she assumed. She started to pull back when Draco put his hand in her hair and deepened it. She thought she heard him put his glass down, but wasn't sure until she felt him taking hers away and setting it down on the small table in front of the loveseat.

When he wove his hands into her hair, she heard herself moan and blushed. Soon his tongue swept over her lips and she quickly allowed him entrance. Their tongues battled for dominance and Hermione managed not to squeak this time when she felt him lying her down onto the small couch, resting himself on top of her.

Suddenly her nerves were back. Tearing her lips away from him she looked at him nervously before speaking. "Draco…" It wasn't that she didn't want him physically, her body definitely wanted him, but she thought emotionally they needed to get to know each other better without being physical.

"Shh, I told you we weren't doing anything tonight." He kissed her forehead gently. "I just wanted to lay with you."

Hermione didn't know how to respond to that so she just did what seemed natural. She kissed him gently before shifting so he was lying behind her and she was facing the fire. As she watched the fire and listened to his rhythmic breathing, Hermione found herself falling asleep. Before she could question falling asleep on the couch when they had a perfectly comfortable bed in the next room she was asleep, a smile gracing her lips as Draco wrapped his arm around her more snugly.

A/N: So sorry for the wait you guys! This chapter has just been giving me all kinds of fits, plus I started back college (university) this month, so I've had to get back to juggling my schedule. I have not edited this yet seeing as I feel like I've made you wait long enough, but I will edit it tomorrow when I get time.

Also thank you for all the lovely reviews! They make me happier than you realize. I do try to reply to everyone, so I'm sorry if I missed a few of the latest ones. Also, this story has hit over 100 followers! Mindblown. Thank you so much for the support and I hope it continues. The next chapter will be a bit darker so I hope you enjoyed the small bit of fluff in this one

*Update 9/6: I've quickly edited this. Also it has been brought to my attention by henben that reviews are not going through. Please PM me if you are having this problem. I hate to know you guys are reviewing my story and it isn't going through. If this continues to happen and cannot be fixed I will be making a new penname and moving this story to it. I will update with a chapter letting you know this if it happens. Thank you for your continued support and the new chapter should be up soon.