Roses are red

Violets are blue

I don't own Harry Potter

This is sad, but true

Thank you to ravenclaw-sass and littlered1992 for beta-ing for me!

Guys... guys... Second. Last. Chapter. EEEP! I can't believe we're here. In three more days NE will be complete and I'll be focusing on my next WIP (which I plan on writing completely before beginning to upload!) I'm equal parts excited and sad. Thank you so much for following me down this rabbit hole. I really hope you enjoy this update! *massive hugs*

Draco was caught between an overwhelming sense of pride and sheer frustration over the next few days as his mother worked to reverse the contract. Her Healers agreed that she should be resting at first, but they underestimated her stubbornness and soon gave in.

"If she's feeling well enough it's probably a good thing that she's up and moving." The Healer shrugged and Draco only just managed to stop himself from yelling at the cheerful older witch.

He knew that it was a positive sign, but he couldn't help the paralysing fear that plagued him when he was alone—what if the stress of everything sent her back into that blasted coma? He worried that when everything finally calmed down his mother would finally run out of steam. And where would that leave her health?

"Stop worrying, Draco." His mother's voice floating out from her walk in closet tore Draco from his thoughts.

"I will worry," he replied peevishly. "Perhaps when you stop insisting on behaving like a crazy person, I'll be able to breathe freely again."

"It's not crazy," she insisted. She appeared dressed in a set of pale blue robes, her hair twisted into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She looked decidedly thin in her clothes, but she was smiling and her cheeks held more colour in them than he had seen since her arrival back at the manor. "Just think, you'll be free by lunch time!" She stepped forward, her eyes shining as she looked up into his face and patted his cheek.

Draco suppressed a groan. His mother had called a meeting with the Greengrasses for this morning. He knew that it was a step in the right direction in terms of being free from this blasted contract. Wedding plans may have been put on hold, but the contract was still lingering over their heads like a gnome trap. He had tried to negotiate with his mother. There was no rush—she could take a few weeks to tend to her health and then call a meeting, but no, she had insisted on immediate action.

"You need to slow down, Mother," he said, taking her hands and giving them a squeeze. "We have time."

She sighed. "No, we don't. I will slow down once everything is sorted."

Draco's stomach plummeted at the word everything. How much more was his mother planning on 'fixing' once his contract was nullified? He was about to open his mouth and inquire as much, but before he could utter a sound the wards shimmied around them.

His mother clapped her hands together. "They're here!"

When they entered the sitting room, the Greengrasses were already seated. They were pressed together on the three-seater, Astoria sandwiched between her parents. Mister Greengrass was wearing his usual worn suit, one foot resting on his other knee to reveal his elastic-less socks. Mrs Greengrass was sitting ramrod straight, her gaze trained on the fireplace as if she expected them to Floo down from their bedrooms.

Tea had been laid on the coffee table but it remained untouched. Dorek stood to the side, out of the way but hovering as if he longed to begin serving the guests. The elderly elf had taken over many of Miksy's duties as the poor young elf had been left severely traumatised after her ordeal with Lucius. Dorek was enthusiastic and obviously enjoyed his newfound responsibilities, but Draco missed the chipper disposition and efficiency of Miksy.

"Mister and Mrs Greengrass," his mother greeted their guests warmly, a soft smile on her face. "And Miss Greengrass, of course."

"Please," Astoria said as she rose from her seat and curtsied, "call me Astoria."

Draco nodded his greeting to all three of the Greengrasses and then took his seat across from them in the armchair. His mother folded herself in the armchair between him and their guests, tucking one ankle behind the other and adjusting her robes.

"Dorek!" she called. "Please serve tea." She smiled at the Greengrasses as the elf scurried to pour hot tea into each of their cups, forcing them into their hands with a shaky grip. Draco practically had to catch his in mid-air, but he thanked the wizened elf all the same.

He brought the liquid to his lips and blew, using the action as an excuse to observe the trio on the couch across from him. Mister Greengrass looked positively terrified whereas his wife seemed mildly annoyed. Astoria was watching her shoes, her confidence from earlier surprisingly absent. Draco frowned; was this not what she wanted?

"Well, I suppose we should just jump into it," his mother said, setting her tea cup on the edge of the coffee table. "The contract." She clapped her hands together and eyed each of them in turn, Draco included.

"You want to nullify it?" Mister Greengrass spoke matter-of-factly. If it weren't for the tight grip on his teacup, Draco would have been fooled into thinking that he was not all that concerned about the issue.

"Yes," his mother said, pursing her lips. "It seems barbaric to force these two young people together when that isn't what they want."

"Sometimes being an adult means making sacrifices and doing things you don't want to do," Mister Greengrass reasoned with a pointed look at his daughter. Astoria did not look up.

Draco now understood Astoria's disposition; her father was here to argue for keeping the contract. His stomach rolled and he set his tea on the table shakily, pushing it away from him. If there was going to be an argument, he wanted to be the one to fight; his mother didn't deserve the wrath of a burnt-out businessman and his haughty wife.

"When there is no benefit to anyone, why would you pressure her into such a union?" his mother inquired, an eyebrow arching elegantly as she shot Draco a meaningful look.

I've got this, it said. Draco set his lips in a thin line but accepted that there was no discreet way to communicate his doubts. Instead, he settled back in his chair and vowed to jump in the second the Greengrasses made to attack.

Mister Greengrass glanced furtively between his wife and Draco's mother. "Well," he said slowly, "I wouldn't say that there are no benefits… whatsoever…" He began to reposition his tie, his fingers shaking as he did so.

A sick surge of pleasure flowed through Draco as he registered the wizard's discomfort. It served him right, coming here and thinking that he could argue with the likes of Draco and his mother. His lack of respect was evident in wanting to take on an ailing woman, and for what?

"Oh?" His mother's tone was polite, but there was a strong undercurrent of warning and Draco couldn't hide a smirk.

"The money," Mister Greengrass finally bit out as if it physically pained him to speak the words.

"What money?" Draco glared at the man, ire quickly replacing the sense of pride from before.

"The money we were promised."

For a few long seconds, no one said anything. The tension was so thick Draco thought it might choke them all before the contract could be properly nullified. Just when he was about to unleash a diatribe unlike anything he would have ever dared to utter in front of his mother, she spoke.

"I'm afraid you have been lied to, Mister Greengrass," she murmured.

Astoria's father snapped his head up to look at his mother. "Excuse me?"

His mother shook her head in a dainty movement. "There is no money. All of the Malfoy fortune has been frozen and my inheritance is currently being investigated by the Ministry. I cannot access it until my period of house arrest has ended."

Mister Greengrass blinked slowly. Draco watched as Mrs Greengrass slowly reached across Astoria's lap so that she could squeeze her husband's knee. "You're saying—"

"Lucius lied," Draco cut in. "He could not have accessed Mother's money without her permission, and his own fortune is tied up in months worth of red tape."

There was another pause.

"The only sum of money he could have offered you is Draco's," his mother said, "and that is only a small amount, enough for further education fees or perhaps a downpayment on a small flat."

Mister Greengrass had gone very red. Draco wondered what else Lucius had promised his betrothed and her family to make them agree to his demands. He was annoyed with himself for not realising that there would have been some sort of blackmail involved.

"Well," Mister Greengrass said, blinking rapidly, "well…"

"This marriage is of no benefit to you," Draco said. "It will only make your daughter miserable." He nodded towards Astoria, who smiled gratefully at him. "If your goal is to rebuild the Greengrass name, you're going the wrong way about it; we cannot help you."

Mister Greengrass expelled a huff of air through pursed lips, the whistling sound reverberating around the room. Mrs Greengrass was glancing furtively between her husband, Draco, and his mother. Astoria appeared to be holding her breath.

Draco's heart was pounding against his ribcage, and for the first time in his life he prayed. He prayed to any deity who might be listening to make the Greengrasses see reason; he was no saviour, nor did he want to be. They would not find what they sought with him or his family, and while Mister Greengrass seemed to be focused on Galleon-signs, Draco couldn't be sure that he would agree to void the contract. Spite seemed a fair price to pay for Lucius' lies and he didn't exactly paint the image of a caring, loving father.

"Fine," Mister Greengrass finally said. "I concede; I will agree to voiding the contract." He ran a hand down his tired face and glanced to Draco's mother with glassy eyes. "What do we need to do?"

His mother smiled, looking more energised than she had since she woke up. She called for Dorek to bring her the papers and the next half an hour was spent signing parchment and agreeing to forgo any voidance terms.

By the time the Greengrasses left, Draco was exhausted and craving a stiff drink. He left his mother in the capable hands of her Healers and retired to his study where he intended to open a new bottle of Ogden's.

"Well, there he is. Wizarding England's most eligible bachelor!"

"Bloody hell!" Draco had his wand drawn and pointing at the throat of his Italian friend who was lounging in his desk chair. "What the fuck, Blaise?"

He smirked. "I think it's pronounced welcome back, and thank you."

Draco ran a hand through his hair and dropped his wand. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard that your father was arrested… again," Blaise answered, his tone now slightly more sombre. "How is your mother?"

"She's fine." Draco waved a hand dismissively. "It's like she was never in a coma the way she's prancing about."

Blaise snorted. "Sounds about right. And Hermione?" He waggled his eyebrows in a way that made Draco want to punch him.

"She's good," he answered instead, gritting his teeth.

"Excellent."

To keep his hands busy lest they end up lodged in his friend's face, Draco moved to pick up the bottle of Firewhiskey which had been sitting on his desk. He settled himself in the armchair across from Blaise and conjured two tumblers, filling them with amber liquid.

"How's business?" he asked.

"Booming." Blaise grinned as he accepted the glass from Draco. "I've left in a bit of a rush, but the majority of the work is done."

"That was quick." Draco brought his drink to his lips in a bid to hide his shock. He had not expected Blaise back for months… how had he managed to settle everything in a matter of weeks?

Blaise nodded, sucking his teeth as he swallowed a mouthful of Firewhiskey. "It hasn't taken as long as I thought. Turns out it wasn't as difficult to get the support I needed." He grimaced, as if the thought of people wanting to help him was somehow disgusting.

Draco snorted. "Well, I'm happy for you."

They fell into a peaceful silence, both lost in their own thoughts as they enjoyed their drinks. Draco was not about to admit it out loud, but he was glad that Blaise was here. He felt as though the presence of the Italian wizard somehow grounded him, or perhaps it was just the fact that having a friend as flighty as Blaise gave him the sense of being stable.

"What now?" Draco asked after a few minutes. "Are you staying?"

Blaise observed Draco over the rim of his glass. He nodded slowly. "I think so," he said, sticking out his lower lip thoughtfully. "I'm looking at an apartment tomorrow."

Draco choked on his Firewhiskey. "That's serious," he said thickly, wiping his chin.

Blaise smirked around the edge of his tumbler. "I figured it's time to lay down some roots, come out of hiding."

Draco nodded. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could the Floo roared to life and Hermione stepped out into the room. He stood swiftly, ready to greet her.

The brunette witch smiled as she caught his eye, but just as he was about to return the sentiment, her gaze slid from his face to Blaise. She let out a shriek and launched herself at the Italian wizard who caught her in a one-armed hug as he rose to his feet.

"You're back!" she squealed into his shoulder.

Draco huffed as Blaise chuckled. "Don't mind me," he muttered. "Your boyfriend."

"Don't be jealous, Draco," Blaise mock-chided as he released Hermione.

"Yes, Draco," Hermione teased as she made her way over to him. "Don't be jealous."

Draco maintained his scowl, though his lips twitched as he watched his girlfriend and best friend banter in front of him.

Hermione skipped up the steps to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, looking forward to her brunch date with Harry and Ginny. Things had reached a sort of plateau and she was finally feeling like herself again. She had returned to regular visits with her friends and she was beginning to form traditions with Draco and Blaise, though she had to concede that a game night had been a bad idea—Monopoly and a former Slytherin disposition was a bad combination—but drinks on a Friday night had turned out to be fun.

Hermione knocked on the door, a smile gracing her features as she waited for the tell-tale sound of pattering feet.

"Coming!" Harry called out and three seconds later the door opened to reveal his smiling face.

Hermione pulled him into a tight hug before moving past him and making her way to the kitchen. Ginny was seated at the table, three mugs of tea steaming under stasis charms set before her.

Hermione greeted her and took her seat, tucking her hair behind her ears. She opened her mouth to ask how they both had been as Harry took his seat, but Ginny interjected.

"I'm pregnant!" she blurted out.

For a fraction of a second there was only silence as Hermione took in what the ginger-haired witch had said. "You're…" she enunciated slowly, and then her brain caught up and she launched across the table to pull her friends into a tight hug. "Pregnant!" she squealed. "Oh, Merlin! Congratulations!"

"Thank you." Harry grinned as Hermione released him. "It's still early, but we wanted you to know."

"Wow!" Hermione glanced at the beaming faces before her, so many wonderful emotions swirling in her gut. She wasn't sure what to say next, she was excited and happy and entirely overwhelmed. Tears pricked her eyes and she giggled as the first one slipped down her cheek.

"Oh no!" Ginny shook her head emphatically. "Please don't! I haven't stopped bloody leaking since the Healer told us the test was positive."

Hermione only laughed harder, unsure what to make of herself as her body rebelled against everything she had known to be a proper reaction to such an announcement. "I'm sorry—" she sobbed and laughed at the same time "—it's just the most wonderful news!"

Harry seemed entirely out of his depth as he placed a hand comfortingly on his wife's back and rubbed soothing circles as tears fell down her cheeks. Ginny was grinning so wide Hermione thought her face might crack, which only made her laugh harder.

After a few minutes of insanity, they pulled themselves together and hugged over the table again. "I am so happy for you both." Hermione sniffed delicately and pulled back, wiping her eyes on the back of her sleeves.

"At the risk of setting you off again," Harry said with a furtive glance at Ginny, "we'd like to ask you if you would be godmother."

Hermione's eyes once again filled with tears but she blinked them back, breathing deeply in through her nose. She nodded, her throat tight. Of course she would be the godmother of Harry and Ginny's child; she was honoured… but there was one thing she needed to clear up before she could fully accept.

"Harry, Ginny," she began, clearing her throat in a futile attempt to dislodge the lump there. "I feel honoured that you would ask me." She folded her hands in her lap, her fingers squeezing together to ease some of the anxiety burning in her chest. "However, I think that it would be a mistake to accept without first clearing the air." She glanced first at Harry and then Ginny who were both wearing identical expressions of wary confusion.

"Okay," Harry said slowly with a sideways glance at Ginny.

"I'm with Draco," Hermione stated, licking her lips. "I need you to understand that I'm serious about him and that he is an important part of my life." She paused, but neither Harry nor Ginny seemed to have anything to say. Hermione's tone softened as she continued. "I don't expect you to be best friends, but I have to know that you will at least be civil and accept that he will be around for the foreseeable future. I guess what I'm asking for is your support…" she trailed off lamely, shrugging her shoulders to her ears and leaving them there in a tense posture as she took in their expressions.

Harry's jaw was tight, but his gaze was open. He nodded stiffly once and Hermione relaxed, turning to Ginny, who chewed her bottom lip and cocked her head to the side. A burning heat clawed its way up Hermione's oesophagus; she had not expected Ginny to be the one to hold a grudge.

"So…" the red-haired witch said, drawing out the syllable in a sly drawl. "You and Malfoy… how serious are we talking?" She arched an eyebrow and Hermione exhaled in short-lived relief.

"Serious," she answered, her tone guarded. She wasn't ready to admit out loud how she felt about the blond wizard; at least not until she had told him herself.

"I see." Ginny raised her chin and nodded as if she was considering a very lucrative business deal. "Well then, I suppose I agree to your terms. I'll be civil, and I promise not to call him a ferret…"

"Thank you." Hermione sagged in her chair and smiled at each of them in turn.

"…to his face." Ginny flashed her a wicked grin.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Fair enough."

She doubted that her friends would ever see Draco through her eyes, but she could settle for them at least playing nice when they were forced to inhabit the same space. Gratitude filled her heart as she grinned, changing the subject back to Ginny and her pregnancy.

Hermione stood in front of her fireplace, a fistful of Floo powder clenched in her right hand. She was chewing her bottom lip as she looked into the orange flames, imagining the same scenario over and over in her head with a different ending each time.

Narcissa was now up and about, though she still tired easily; Lucius was safely locked up in Azkaban; Draco was now free from the betrothal with Astoria… There were no more obstacles keeping them from being a normal couple.

Hermione grimaced. I don't think we'll ever be a normal couple.

Despite this thought, she was stalling. Since the morning of Boxing Day, things had been far too hectic to bring up Draco's almost-admission, but Hermione had officially run out of excuses. She knew it was time to confront the blond wizard who had completely captured her heart, but she was terrified of rejection.

What if she had misheard him? Perhaps in the emotion of the moment, she had thought he said 'I love you' when really he had said 'thank you'? Or maybe—

Suddenly, the flames glowed green and Hermione was forced backwards, the ashy powder falling from her hand and onto the floor. The back of her legs hit the side of couch as the object of her overthinking unfolded himself from her grate.

Draco smirked as he took in her shocked expression, piecing together what she had been about to do with a glance towards the mess on the floor. "Hi," he greeted her softly.

He reached for her, his hands finding her waist. The warmth from his palms bled through the thin material of her shirt, thawing her stiff posture. Hermione melted into him as his lips claimed hers, soft but insistent.

"Were you going somewhere?" He stepped backwards, his smirk still in place as he ducked his head to read her expression. Hermione licked her lips and Draco frowned. "What's the matter?" He was suddenly serious.

"Um… I just, I—" Hermione stopped, her mouth still slightly open. Her heart was racing a million miles a minute and she thought she might pass out.

"Hermione?" Draco reached for her but Hermione moved backwards, stumbling until she was standing behind the couch.

She couldn't do this… Her fingernails caught as she curled them into the fabric of the lounge. Hermione had struggled with emotions—recognising, interpreting, and understanding them—forever, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to hide something of this size. Even if it hurt her in the end, it was better to say something now than let it fester.

Draco opened his mouth again, his hands slipping into the pockets of his trousers. Hermione glanced furtively around the lounge room as if she might find something that would buy her a few more seconds of thinking time. She finally settled on his face, and clarity washed over her like a bucket of ice water.

"I think I love you," she blurted out, her hands balled into tight fists still lodged in the back of the couch. She inhaled sharply and held her breath as she watched Draco's reaction.

His eyes searched hers for a fraction of a second, his expression impassive. Hermione's heart sank to her stomach and she wished desperately that she could pluck the words out of the air and stuff them back down her throat. Before she could panic, though, Draco's lips twitched and he began to move slowly towards her, his hands sliding out of his pockets so that he could hold them out in front of him, palms facing her.

"You think you love me?" He arched an eyebrow as his chest pressed against hers. "And here I was believing you to be the brightest witch of our age… yet you don't know if you love me…" His hands once again found her waist, his thumbs rubbing soothing circles at her sides.

"Fine," Hermione bit out, her head swimming. "I know I do."

"You know what, Granger?"

"You're messing with me." She narrowed her eyes and brought her hands up to rest on his biceps. He smirked in response and Hermione huffed. "Fine. I love you."

Without warning, Draco dipped his head and planted a bruising kiss to her lips. Hermione stumbled backwards as he walked her into the wall, several books falling from the end table with a thud.

"Draco!" Hermione admonished, breaking the kiss and holding him at arm's length.

"I love you, too." Draco's gaze slipped from hers for just a fraction of a second, landing on the tome on the floor. When he made eye contact with her again, his expression was pensive.

Hermione thought her heart might beat straight out of her chest. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her mind was blank, Draco's words echoing in the empty space as if they were a broken record.

"You do?" she finally managed to choke out.

Draco frowned slightly, taking a step towards her. "Yes," he answered slowly.

Hermione licked her lips as Draco's hands settled at her waist, one of his eyebrows quirked in a silent question. "You told me in your sleep on Boxing Day. Well, sort of..."

Hermione's chest clenched at the memory, but the realisation that the sleepy words Draco had uttered were true soothed the sensation. Her breathing was once again returning to normal and her fingernails were no longer trying to embed themselves in her palm.

Draco's cheeks flushed with colour and his hands clenched in her shirt. "I did?"

She nodded, a smile curving at her lips. "It was very cute."

Draco sneered as his gaze dropped to her mouth. "I am not cute."

"Whatever you say."

He growled low in his chest and dipped his head to capture her lips with his. The kiss was instantly hot and demanding; his tongue entered her mouth without preamble and she moaned at the sudden intrusion.

His hands rested at her hips, bunching in the fabric of her shirt and pulling it upwards. Understanding that he wanted to take it off, Hermione obediently raised her arms and allowed him to tug it over her head. His lips were on hers as soon as the garment passed her mouth. Draco tossed it to the floor with one hand while the other danced across the bare skin of her stomach.

Hermione shivered as she locked her arms around his neck and pulled him flush against her chest. She felt as if she was on fire and doused in ice water at the same time. His arms wrapped around her middle, squeezing possessively as he angled them towards the corridor and continued walking her backwards.

Her head thudded against the wall next to the door of her bedroom, but the sharp pain dissipated almost as soon as it appeared thanks to Draco's ministrations at the buttons of her jeans. He had them undone within seconds and then moved his hand to open the door.

They stumbled through it without breaking the kiss. Tripping on her now-loose jeans, Hermione giggled against Draco's lips and he finally pulled back. He dropped to his knees in one swift movement and gripped the hem of her pants. He tugged them aggressively down her legs and indicated for her to step out of them. She did as she was told, now standing in the middle of her room in nothing but her underthings.

Draco began to trail kisses from her ankle, up her calf, over the sensitive flesh of her thigh. Hermione shuddered and gripped his hair to prevent herself from losing her balance.

"Draco," she breathed, her fingers twisting in the blond strands.

An appreciative groan was his only response. His hands followed his lips, gripping the back of her legs until they came to a stop just below the curve of her arse. He kissed his way across the waistband of her knickers and Hermione bucked forwards involuntarily. He chuckled into her and she saw stars.

Draco pulled back and Hermione had to bite her tongue to stop from whining in protest. He met her gaze as his fingers hooked into the band of her knickers and slid them slowly down to her ankles.

He shuffled forwards on his knees, urging Hermione backwards until she reached the foot of her bed. With a smirk, he indicated that she should sit; Hermione did as she was told and in one fluid movement, Draco spread her legs and o the apex of her thighs.

"Oh, fuck!" Hermione moaned, her fingers clenching in Draco's hair.

He hummed his response, sending vibrations through her core which threatened to undo her on the spot. Her skin was crawling with the want and need for this wizard and she couldn't decide if she wanted him to continue with his tongue, or whether she wanted him to throw her on the bed and take her six ways from Sunday.

His tongue alternated between tracing a figure-eight pattern over her clit and lapping flat against the sensitive bud. Hermione let out a string of expletives; if it hadn't been for Draco's firm hold on her she would have collapsed. Goosebumps prickled at her skin and she bit down on her lower lip as her eyes fluttered shut.

She gasped as Draco's forefinger entered her and began to pump slowly in and out in time with the flick of his tongue. Hermione felt as though she was soaring, floating through the clouds, higher and higher…

Draco added his middle finger, two digits now thrusting into her heat, curled just so in order to hit her sweet spot. His tongue was now flat against her clit and the pleasure coursing through her veins was overwhelming. Hermione bucked her hips forward as she began her descent, spiralling downwards as she shook against him, her hands snapping several strands of his hair as she came.

She kept her hold on him as the orgasm passed, tugging him away from her over-sensitive bud when he continued to tease it with the tip of his tongue. He grinned wolfishly up at her as he rose to his feet, maintaining his hold on her back so as not to send her tumbling to the floor.

Her legs shook as he claimed her mouth again, the taste of herself on his tongue sending shocks of primal pleasure through her veins again. She moaned and he smirked against her lips before pulling back, resting his forehead against hers. For a moment they stood there like that, their arms wound around each other.

Draco was the first to move, walking Hermione backwards to the bed and allowing her to fall on to it; she scooted backwards until she was laying with her head against the collection of pillows.

She reached her arms out towards Draco but he only grinned and stepped backwards. Hermione pouted, feeling cheated, but then he reached over his head, tugging his shirt to reveal his abs and then his chest. She bit down on a groan as he tossed it to the ground and began to work on the zipper of his jeans.

In seconds he was completely naked and climbing on to the bed. He hesitated as he hovered above her, his eyes searching hers for a second before he kissed her deeply. Hermione wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down on to her, relishing in the feel of his warm skin against hers.

Without breaking the kiss, Draco threaded his arm beneath her and unhooked her bra with two fingers. Hermione could not hide that she was impressed with his finesse, but before she could verbalise it, Draco's fingers had found a nipple, tweaking it from beneath the loose cup of her bra.

She arched into him, moaning as his ministrations trailed pulses of pleasure from her chest towards the apex of her thighs. His lips moved down her jaw and settled at her pulse point, licking and nipping and sucking until Hermione felt like a puddle of nerves beneath him.

He chuckled into her neck and then moved his lips to her ear. "I love you," he whispered right before he sheathed himself inside of her.

Hermione moaned, her eyes fluttering shut at the sudden feeling of fullness. She had not realised how badly she had ached for him until the ache was gone. He began to move immediately, his hips snapping quickly against her own in a frenzied rhythm.

"Oh, Merlin!" Hermione moved her hands to her hair as Draco held himself off of her, his hands planted either side of her head and his arms taut.

She wound her legs around his middle and arched up to meet his thrusts. Stars exploded inside of her eyelids as another orgasm threatened. It rolled through her, her walls squeezing Draco's cock as he continued to thrust. He groaned, her name falling from his lips over and over as he found his own release.

"I love you too," Hermione panted as he collapsed beside her.