.

**** DRACO ****

I woke up alone. The bed was cool where she had been sleeping, but I wasn't surprised – Hermione was an early riser, even after a long, sleepless night.

I sat up, and looked around the room, smirking. Our clothes were strewn across the floor, from the doorway to the bed. There had been nothing slow or romantic when we arrived back home. Our mouths barely left each other, and our clothes were torn off in a frantic rush to be naked and joined together. I was sure that I would be severely punished for the state her dress – or what was left of it – was in.

I scrubbed my hands over my face, still exhausted from my own enthusiasm that went well into the wee hours of the morning, and I pictured her the night before; her hands tugging my hair, her teeth on my skin while I moved over her, again and again, until we both collapsed exhausted and sweaty, and finally fell asleep tangled together.

I pulled on some sleep pants and made my way downstairs, breathing in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I leaned on the door frame taking in the sight before me. She was leaning against the counter, her bare feet were crossed at the ankles as she drummed her fingers on the counter top and studied some papers that were in front of her.

I thought she looked stunning last night, but this morning she was perfection. Her hair was messy, thrown over one shoulder, and she was wearing my old Slytherin Quidditch jumper. Her long legs were bare, leaving me to wonder if she actually had anything on under it. She looked adorable, and I loved her in it. My cock twitched in my pants. I peered down and smiled; I was not so exhausted after all.

I snuck up behind her and wrapped my arms around her. She yelped, her head snapping up to look at me. "Hi," I said and a smile lit up her face.

"Hi." She twisted in my arms, "I made coffee. I figured you'd need it."

"Hmm, I think I might." I kissed her, "I'm so exhausted, I don't think I'll get a run in this morning."

She ran her hand across my bare chest, her stare open and slightly amused. "Well, whatever it is you're doing to keep in shape, it's definitely working."

With a sly grin, I hoisted her onto the counter. She let out a surprised squeak which quickly turned into a whimper when I stepped between her legs and pulled her against me. I kissed her. Long, slow, and deep, my tongue diving into her mouth. Her arms looped around my neck, and—

"Draco, are you here?" the voice startled me and I jumped. Hermione's eyes went wide and her head whipped around.

My mother was standing on the opposite side of the room, an equally stunned look on her face.

Shit.

I looked from my mother to Hermione and back again. "Ah,mother. Hello. "

Hermione slid off the counter and turned to face her, standing slightly behind me. Her fingers dug into my back and I winced.

"Draco," mother said and then looked at Hermione, "Ms. Granger."

"Ah...Hello." Hermione said from beside me and an awkward silence followed.

"Mother, I...ah...that is to say..." I stammered, trying to explain what she was seeing.

"So it's true?" She asked, holding up a copy of The Daily Prophet, and we saw our own faces smiling back at us before turning to face each other and kiss.

"It is." I said and reached back, pulling Hermione into my side, "Is there an issue?"

Beside me Hermione sucked in a fast breath and gripped the counter, the realisation that I had not told my own mother about us hitting her.

She looked between us, her face unreadable, "Ms. Granger. If you don't mind, I need to speak with my son."

Hermione nodded quickly and stepped out of my grip, "Ah, yeah. Sure. I'll go...um...upstairs."

I glared at my mother, "I'll go with you,"

"Draco—" My mother started, but I stopped her.

"No Mother, you can wait down here while Hermione and I get dressed, and then we'll all talk." I smiled apologetically at Hermione, who was tugging my jumper further down her legs, and the look in her eyes told me that my suspicion was true. She was completely naked underneath. I stepped in front of her, creating a barrier between her and my mother, and directed her to the stairs, "There's fresh coffee mother, help yourself."

I shut the bedroom door behind me, leaning back and closing my eyes. There was no way this was happening. My mother had not just seen us half naked in my kitchen.

I cursed. No, this wasn't happening.

I opened my eyes, expecting an angry Hermione to be glaring at me, but instead she was standing in front of me, her hand covering her mouth and her entire body shaking with silent laughter.

"Hermione?"

She took a few seconds to get herself under control, and finally lowered her hand. "That just happened, right?"

I nodded, stunned at her reaction, "Yes. My mother is downstairs."

"And we..." She let out a small giggle, "We were..." She tilted her head back and laughed, full, deep, belly aching laughter. When she looked back at me, she had tears in her eyes. "She saw us...dressed like this." She was gasping for air between chuckles, "Must have been...a shock for her."

"You're not mad that I didn't tell her yet?"

"No, actually I'm not." She wiped the tears off her cheeks, "Should I be?"

"I ah," I shrugged, "I guess I figured you would be."

She stepped forward, and gripped my hips, "Honestly, I just think it's funny."

I watched her for a beat and then she cracked up again, laughing against my shoulder. "Of all the ways...she could have...found out."

I couldn't help but laugh with her, "I am sorry."

She blew out a long breath and managed to get herself under control, lifting her head from my shoulder, biting her lip. Her fingers traced along the waistband of my sleep pants, "How long do you think she'll wait?"

I made a choking sound, "Ah, what?"

"We were going to shower, right? Before we went back down there?" She tugged on the elastic, pulling it from my waist and letting it snap back.

"Are you serious?"

She backed towards the bathroom, reaching for the hem of the jumper she was wearing and pulling it over her head. I felt my cock stir and I shook my head.

"Are you coming?" She called and I heard the shower turn on.

I crossed the room, shoving my pants down my legs and kicking them off my feet. She was already under the water when I walked through the door. "Who are you? And what have you done with Hermione?"

She laughed, and held her hand out to me. I stepped under the water with her, and her eyes roamed my torso, landing on my fully erect cock. "Tell me you don't want this?"

Her hair was wet, the loose strands clinging to her face and I swallowed hard. She was stunning the previous night; she was perfection in my kitchen this morning; and now, standing naked before me, she was quite simply my everything. She had told me that she loved me, right in the middle of the dance floor, with everyone watching, but in that moment it was just me and her.

I hadn't said it back – not yet anyway. I loved her, more than anything, but it didn't feel right to say the words back to her instantly, and I didn't want to say it just because she had I needed take my time, pick the right moment for that first declaration.

I pulled her to me. "Are you sure about this?" I said close to her ear.

She gripped my arse and arched into me, the hard line of my cock pressing into her stomach. She stretched to kiss me, and murmured yes against my mouth, lifting my hand, pressing it to her breast, and I felt her nipple hard against my palm. Her head dropped back and she gasped as I dipped my head and sucked hungrily at her tight nipple.

"Love..." her voice was breathy and her hands gripped my hair. "...your mouth...oh!"

I bit down and she convulsed, her back arching and a loud groan echoed off the tiles. Her fingernails clawed at my shoulders, and she gasped when I turned us and pressed her against the cold tiles.

I kissed my way back up her chest, finding her mouth again and I groaned when I felt her tongue slide over mine. I reached down between her thighs, sliding my fingers along the slick crease of her pussy, pulling another loud groan from her mouth.

"Draco," She gasped, "I need..."

"You need what?" I leaned forward, my lips hovering over hers, "Tell me."

"I need...you....more...please." Her words came out in a staccato burst and her mouth fell open in a sharp gasp when my fingers sunk into her.

Her hand fumbled for my cock and she wrapped me in her fist in a vice-like grip. My head fell forward, landing heavily on her shoulder, and I buried my face in her neck. "Fuuuck." I groaned and shoved my fingers deeper into her body, while I began to fuck her fist.

"You're fucking drenched." I pressed my teeth into her neck, biting, nipping kissing, "Your skin is perfect. You taste amazing."

She moaned as I pressed harder against her, her hand flying over me, matching the speed with which my fingers were plunging into her. I watched her face, a pink flush creeping over her skin, and the ball of heat that was building in my belly almost exploded, and I needed to be inside her, to be moving in her, feeling her heat along the length of my cock.

I yanked my fingers from her and gripped the backs of her thighs, lifting her so she could wrap her legs around my hips, and I slipped inside her body. Her head fell back, thumping against the tile and her breaths were sharp and ragged. She was slick and warm, and I looked down to where I was moving in and out of her; her tight pussy stretching around me as I moved faster.

"Do you feel that?" I grunted, "Do you feel how tight your fucking pussy is around me? Do you feel how fucking hard I am?"

"Love you inside me," her voice wavered, "Love your..." she hiccupped, "Love you."

Her words rang in my ears, I wanted to tell her but my own words lodged in my chest and all I could do was lose myself in her. I jerked against her, pressing her hard against the wall, hearing the slap of my skin against hers as I pushed into her and pulled out again, knowing that no matter how many times I woke with her beside me, or how many times I was inside her, or how often she said she loved me, it would never be enough. And the overwhelming thought sent me spinning.

"Granger, shit! I can't hold...shitshitshit!"

She squeezed my hips with her thighs, digging her feet into my arse, "Don't hold back. Let go, let me watch."

I hated to be quick with her, but I was too close, and my loud shout echoed around us as my body clenched and I unloaded inside her.

She reached between us, her fingers rubbing hard circles over her clit. My cock was still pulsing inside her and I felt her pussy tighten, watching as her face changed. She gasped and her breath stopped and she gripped my hair. A warmth spread through my chest. How she could forgive me, how she could possibly love me, how she could want to be my everything astounded me. And now, watching her, watching as pleasure tore through her and her own sharp plea rang out, I knew.

She slumped against me. I closed my eyes, holding her tightly, wanting to stay in this bubble with her and leave everything else behind. "I love you," I whispered, and she sucked in a breath. "I love you Hermione Granger."

Her warm body seemed to melt into mine, every inch of her perfect and soft, and for the first time in my life I felt like I truly belonged. She was someone who had seen the worst of me, and loved me anyway.

It was so fucking different. I had been conditioned to hold in my feelings, to not let anyone see the real me. But with her I felt safe, I wanted to let her know everything; every thought, every feeling, every fear. I had never felt like this, not once. Not with any of the women who had flittered through my life, not even with my friends.

"I love you," I whispered again and she flung her arms around my shoulders and buried her face in my neck.

"Really?" She whispered.

I chuckled and kissed her wet hair, "Yes, really."

I slowly lowered her to the floor, holding her until she steadied her shaking legs. She stared up at me, tears filling her eyes, a huge smile on her face.

"I love you," I whispered once more holding her face and gave in to the intense relief that I felt at finally letting someone in.

She stretched up and her mouth found mine, kissing me slowly, deeply, and leaving me wanting to pretend my mother wasn't downstairs.

My eyes went wide and my jaw dropped. I had completely forgotten about her. And we had been loud. Very loud.

Hermione's face reflected mine, "Your mother is waiting."

It was my turn to laugh. "And I thought getting caught half naked was going to be an issue."

Ten minutes later she was sitting quietly on the edge of the now neatly made bed, dressed somewhat demurely in skinny jeans and a turtleneck jumper and was staring at the floor.

I squatted in front of her, placing my hands on her knees, "Talk to me."

"Your mother is downstairs. Your scary arse mother, who I can only imagine what's going through her mind right now," She was still staring at the floor, "I know I made light of it, but she terrifies me, Draco, and she saw me half naked in your kitchen."

"Why does she terrify you?"

She looked up at me, her eyes wide in disbelief, "Ah, she's Narcissa Malfoy."

"Hermione," I said gently, "She might not be what you expect. Her name shouldn't terrify you, she shouldn't terrify you, and if you give her a chance, you'll find that out for yourself."

"She wanted to talk to you alone, Draco." she said, "She wanted to ask you what the hell you think you're doing with me."

I pulled her to her feet, "I assure you she didn't. She wanted to lecture me as to why it was that I hadn't told her about you. She knows how I feel, and she won't be pleased with me for keeping this from her."

"She knows how you feel?" She looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"It might come as a surprise, but the day after Lucius' trial, my mother confronted me and asked me straight out how I felt about you. She had seen me looking at you in that courtroom for days and suspected my feelings for you went way past gratitude."

"Oh," she looked surprised.

I kissed her quickly, "She went through the same things I did when my father turned on us. She had to deal with the press, and the taunts, and the disbelief from everyone that she hadn't been locked up with my father. She'd not been the nicest person, I'll give you that, but how she had acted, what she had believed, well, the vitriol that she received was probably worse than anything she had said or done."

"That's why she moved to Spain?"

"It is. It's been much easier for her there. She might deserve the anger, but she's trying to redeem herself. Much like me."

"Honestly, I'd not given any thought at all to the fact that I would have to meet her."

"I know you didn't, and that's on me." I cupped her face, "Listen, she'll love you, Everyone does. And the fact that I love you will be enough for her."

A smile curled her lips, "I liked hearing you say it."

"I loved hearing you say it." I told her, "And I'm sure you'll hear me say it often."

"Good," She whispered and took a deep breath, "Your mother."

I took her hand in mine and squeezed it, "My mother."

We descend the stairs, Hermione politely insisting that I go first. I made a comment under my breath about Gryffindor courage that made her laugh, and I knew that despite her misgivings, she would be fine.

My mother was sitting in one of the armchairs reading the newspaper that she had brought with her. She looked up when I cleared my throat, and she was unable to hide the amused smirk from her face.

"Our apologies for taking so long, mother." I said with an equally amused smirk, "Hermione is terrified of you and I had to talk her out of simply apparating away to avoid you."

"Hey!" Hermione cried and slapped my arm, "I was not going to apparate. Although I might now, if you're going to lie to your mother."

"And my apologies for just showing up like I did," She looked pointedly at Draco, "Had I known you were staying here Ms. Granger, I would have informed my son of my impending visit."

"Really Mother?" I arched my eyebrow, and nodded towards the newspaper that she had folded and placed on the table, "You honestly didn't think she would be staying here after seeing that?"

Beside me Hermione groaned. She had her fingers pressed to her eyes and she was shaking her head, "Draco, seriously?"

"What?" I asked, feigning innocence.

She shot me a withering glare and then smiled back at my mother, "Hermione Granger."

"Yes. I know who you are."

"I just thought I would introduce myself properly considering your son can't be bothered to introduce me to you himself."

Her lips curled into a smile, and she looked as though she was holding back a laugh. "Yes, well, he can be rather obstinate."

Hermione sniggered, "Yes, rather."

Mother nodded again, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Granger."

"Likewise," Hermione said and nodded back at her. "But please call me Hermione, I mean really, after the state you saw me in, I think we're past formalities."

My mother actually laughed, "As long as you call me Narcissa. And never mind the state you were in. Yes I was shocked, but I entirely blame Draco for not telling me."

They both turned to look at me and I smiled, "And you thought you wouldn't get along."

Hermione rolled her eyes at me, "Nonetheless, I still feel I should apologise."

My mother nodded, accepting her apology, "Now, tell me how this all came about."

"Hermione moved into the cottage down the cliffs after, um..." I wasn't sure how much my mother knew, or how much Hermione wanted me to tell her."

"After I walked in on my former boyfriend with his dick inside another woman." Hermione said, and then looked at me, "There's no point lying about it."

"That was true also?" Mother looked at Hermione, her eyes wide. Hermione nodded and my mother shook her head, "I always thought the Weasley's were rubbish."

Hermione's back stiffened, "Only one of them," she said sharply, "Don't judge the entire family of the actions of just one of them."

Mother's eyes flicked to mine. Hermione's meaning couldn't have been clearer; she wasn't judging my mother on my father's actions, so my mother should do the same.

"So, ah, anyway," I stumbled on, taking Hermione's hand in my own, "Hermione moved in and we both had no idea the other was so close until we met on the beach one morning, and things just...bloomed from then."

My mother was still eyeing Hermione carefully, "So you decided that last night was when everyone should know?"

"Well, yes. We figured if everyone knew at the same time it might keep the gossip at bay." I winced, "But a few friends have known for a while, everyone at work knew as well..."

"But not me?"

Hermione remained silent beside me, whether it was because my mother had pissed her off, or because of the accusation behind her words, I had no idea.

"And I'm sorry for not telling you," I said, "I should have, but I didn't. I don't know why I didn't tell you, but I can't change that." I lifted Hermione's hand to my lips, "I guess I just wanted to keep her for myself as long as I could."

"As sweet as that is," Hermione said smiling at me, "You know it's not true." She turned to my mother, "I was very reluctant to tell anyone, especially after what happened. I wanted to protect myself, and Draco, and I didn't want to have to deal with the questions and the stares all over again."

"Yes, but you didn't ask me not to tell my mother, so that's my fault."

My mother looked between us and smiled, "You're already a team."

We both looked at her, "Mother?"

She looked Hermione directly in the eye, "Ms. Granger. Hermione. If I'm honest, I can't say you were the person I would have hoped my son would end up with. You are everything I despised. And I wondered if my son was simply using you to defy all that I – and he - once stood for. But I've seen the look in his eyes, and it's a look that cannot be faked. I have no need to ask how he feels about you, I can clearly see that he is in love with you, and you with him. And that is what is important. That is what makes you a team."

She shifted in her chair, leaning forward and the steely glare in her eyes softened, "You two are more alike than either of you realise. You both are talented and passionate, and doggedly determined, and you have both have lived through more than you should have in your short lives. And if you've managed to come through all of that and find someone that understands you and makes you happy, then you've achieved more than most."

Hermione looked at me, a slight frown on her face. I squeezed her hand, assuring her that yes, that was definitely Narcissa Malfoy's approval.

But Hermione's frown didn't leave her face. "So, you don't really like me, but you'll put up with me for Draco's sake?"

"Hermione, darling, no." Mother smiled at her, "That's not what I meant at all. I don't know you. I know of you, I know what you're capable of, and I know what Draco has told me, but that's it."

Hermione looked first at me and then back to my mother, her face thoughtful. And in a move that even surprised me, my mother stood from her place across from us and moved to sit beside Hermione.

"It's not often that I ask for a second chance, but I'd like to think that since you've done so for my son, you will find it in your heart to do the same for me. I would like to get to know you, if you'll let me."

After a few seconds of silence, Hermione finally nodded, "I'd like that."

I found her later in the evening sitting in the old armchair on the top floor, staring out the window, watching the sun dip below the horizon.

"Hermione?"

She looked up, an unreadable look on her face.

"You okay?"

She shrugged. "Yeah, I was just thinking."

I dragged the footstool closer and sat down in front of her, placing my hands on her knees. "About?"

"The weirdness that was your mother."

I laughed, "Did I not tell you that she's not the complete bitch that everyone assumes that she is?"

"Yeah, you did." She nodded, and looked back out the window.

"Hey," I said quietly, "What's going on?" My heart had picked up speed, unsure of what had gotten into her head. Things had gone surprising well with my mother, she'd been honest, and I thought that Hermione had handled her well. But the sombre mood that seemed to have settled over her had me concerned.

She reached for my hand, without looking away from the window, "I'm just surprised at how far we've come."

My heartbeat slowed, and the anxiety I felt at what could have been bothering her disappeared. I tapped her knees with my fingers, "You're being nostalgic?"

"Are you teasing me?"

I stood and sat beside her, pulling her half onto my lap, "Of course I'm teasing you."

"Have I told you today that you're an arse?"

"Not that I recall." I said and laughed, "Tell me what you were thinking about."

She shifted, slinging her legs across mine and over the arm of the chair, and leaning her head back on the soft leather. "You told me that you love me, and your mother asked me to give her a second chance. Those two things are not something I ever imagined happening, let alone on the same day."

I brushed my mouth over hers. "Today was a good day."

"It was, but was it too good?"

I lifted my hand to her jaw, rubbing small circles on her cheek with my thumb. Her eyes spoke volumes about what she was thinking. She was worried about my mother, worries about what everyone would think, and worried about Weasley and what his reaction would be.

"You don't think things can just be easy?"

"Not usually when it comes to us."

"Would it help to know that from the very moment I met you I was in awe of you?" I smirked at her look of disbelief, "It was my fault that things were...difficult...between us. When I first insulted you on the train, the first time you raised you hand in class and I belittled you for outshining me, when you hit me. All those things were my fault. I wanted your attention and the only way I knew how was to insult you. I made it hard. So maybe this how things were actually meant to be."

She brushed her lips with mine, her dark eyes fathomless as she locked her gaze on mine. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"I've been brooding over this since your mother left, thinking that this was all far too easy, and in one fell swoop, you make it all better."

"Contrary to popular belief, I'm not always and arse."

"Just most of the time?"

I pinched her hip, "Have you been punished today?"

She tilted her head, "Yes, I believe that happened earlier in the day."

"I think my mother will longer appear unannounced." I laughed and I stroked her cheek with my knuckles, "Hermione, listen. I'm fairly certain that the next few weeks will be a nightmare, but we're safe while we're here. But I'm sure that eventually no one will care about us and we can just be boring and quiet and live our lives on these cliffs."

"That sounds perfect," She tugged me back to her mouth and all talking was done.

I slid my arm under her legs and in one smooth movement, lifted us from the chair. I apparated us to the bedroom and laid her on the bed, meeting her soft gaze and smiling down at her.

Everything that had happened last night, everything that had happened today, every good thing that was now a part of my life, was because of her.

She was alluring and beautiful, kind and caring, thoughtful and brilliant.

And she was mine.

A/N:

Thank you all so much for the amazing, overwhelming response to the previous chapter...sorry for making you all wait again for the Ron bashing...but your patience is why you get two more chapter at once xx