They retired to the library after their lunch. Draco helped Hermione settle into a love seat with a new book before going to his desk and continuing to read letters from his investors.

He didn't get very far into his response when he felt eyes watching him. "Yes love?"

He looked up to see her blush. "I'm sorry for staring. I was just trying to figure out what to say."

He sat down his quill and joined her, patiently waiting for her to figure it out.

"Isn't what you're working on important? I can wait." She asks biting her lip.

"Well, yes. But I will always try my best to put you first. Especially while you aren't entirely comfortable." He answers truthfully reaching out to stroke her beautiful curls.

She allowed him to just play with her hair for a few minutes before gathering her thoughts enough to begin. "I was engaged to Ron." He nods encouragingly, so she continues. "We were engaged when the news first came out about this law. And he was going to petition for me since we were engaged, but I refused. I knew I wouldn't be happy with him. He would yell and threaten me when he got drunk and I just...wanted a way out."

"He threatened you?"

"Well. Only when he got drunk. He would get lost in his memories and get angry, I think. I tried to avoid him because he hit me once and I just..wanted to appease him I suppose."

He didn't reply at first, studying her small frame. It baffled him how men would turn to violence when stressed. He had seen it time and time again, but he couldn't understand why a man could ever result to hurting a frail woman.

"Take my wand," he says after a long silence.

"What?" She whispers.

He places his wand in her hands and closes her fists over it. "In our home, you can hold my wand. Keep it. If I ever hurt you, break it." He looks into her eyes, hoping she can understand how serious he is.

"A man is no wizard without his wand, take it back." She argues pushing it back into his hand.

"A man is not a man if he would ever lay a hand on his wife." He insists dropping it into her lap. "You don't trust me. I don't blame you. I was a prat in school. I signed up to serve a dark master who would have you murdered. I want to earn your trust. Until I do, hold my wand. Make me prove I'm a better wizard for you."

She hesitates before picking it up and holding it delicately in her hands. He felt no fear watching her handle his lifeline. He watches her slip it into her handbag before cupping his cheek in her hand.

"You are a better man than I would have ever expected Draco Malfoy." She murmurs before pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "Go back to your work."

He smiles, still feeling their first kiss on his lips. "If grand gestures grant me your affections I'll have to do them more often," he teases before giving her a sweet kiss on the forehead and returning to his papers.

When he finally finished his replies and called for his owl to send them, Draco looked over to his wife to see she was eagerly searching for a new book. He felt a swell of pride. His wife was as dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge as he is. She was perfect for him. Someone he could protect and cherish. His equal.

"Draco?" Her concerned voice snaps him out of his thoughts.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, I got lost in my head." He smiles at her and picks up a book of his own before reaching her love seat. "Why don't we read a few chapters?"

She smiles back at him and even leans into him, squirming until she found a comfortable spot in his arms. They both read in their companionable silence, though he would occasionally stop and glance at her progress and give her hair a sweet kiss.

Eventually, she yawns and he dog ears his page and sets his book down.

"You ruined the book!" She protests sleepily.

"Let's take a nap before dinner," he offers instead.

"Sure. I'll just curl up here."

He scooped her up and carried her to their bedroom instead.

She flicks her wand at his gentle reminder, and her sundress transfigure's itself back into his shirt.

"Sweet dreams," he whispers tucking the covers over them.

"You're such a sweetheart.." she murmurs into shoulder before sleep took her in.

He heard her cry out and flipped around to see her sitting next to his father, tears in her eyes.

"You mudblood whore. You ruined my poor son always beating him in everything. It's almost fitting he beats you for a change!" His father laughs darkly as he pushes her forward onto her knees.

He always feared it would come to this point. The Dark Lord won. He enslaved all the muggleborns and his father was as insane as ever.

She rarely even cried anymore. He only saw her cry when his father violated her. Or worse. Forced him too.

He thought he was doing her a favour at first, asking for her as his prize. He didn't realize that his father would torture the poor girl.

He fought the bile in his throat as he obeyed his father and hit her across the face with his belt, knocking her to the ground.

"Draco," she pleaded desperately shaking him. "Draco wake up!"

He jumped up and almost sobbed in relief when he saw the girl he dreamt of wearing his shirt and looking at him with concern.

It didn't happen. His side lost the war. He pulled her into his arms and crushed her to his chest.

Penance. He owed her the world.

"Draco?" She calls for him again and this time he pulls back and looks at her.

"Yes sweetheart? Did I scare you?" He asks softly, almost sure he must have said something frightening in his sleep.

"You aren't a bad man." She answers softly.

He almost laughs. He wishes that were true. His one desire is to be a good man. Instead he cups her cheek and looks down into her eyes vowing, "I will do everything to be a good man for you."

She smiles back at him and tucks herself back into his arms.

He felt like he wasn't completely fucked when he held her like that. Hermione would be his salvation. He would protect her with his own life if necessary. Draco was certain she would make sure he would never fall to his father's footsteps.