A/N: Thanks for the reviews, favorites and follows...seeing the same names pop up is a really cool thing. I also greatly appreciate it. Makes me feel a little bit like a celebrity. :)

Anyway, this chapter is Draco...it's the same time frame as chapter 1 but just his POV. You'll learn a little more about how he came to be living the hermit life on a mountain top. There is a bit of flashback in this chapter relating to Draco's experiences leading up to the Final Battle. For the most part it's probably wholly inaccurate to canon (especially the movies). But this is AU. Hopefully it's pretty clear as the narrative bounces between current and past tense.

Um, what else, I don't own anything you recognize and am thankful JKR allows us to play in her world.

Let's hear from Draco.

*CLM**CLM*

Her body was warm and pliable against his; his lips trailed from her shoulder to her delicate neck. He felt her shiver and the goosebumps appear on her arms as his kisses hit a decidedly sensitive area beneath her ear. He chuckled in pleasure at her response. He wanted to kiss her lips, claim her mouth and more. Her fingers brushed his lips and he settled for kissing each finger before suckling her ear slightly. "Soon."

With that Draco Malfoy sat up with a start. That had been completely unexpected and worrisome for the wizard. He remained stretched out in his bed and gazed out the open window for a few hours. It took almost two hours before the remaining tension from the dream was finally released by his mate.

Draco stood on the balcony overlooking the forest that surrounded him. He hadn't thought he'd ever have those dreams again. In fact, he had expected to never be near enough the witch for his veela sense to pick up on her. Why was she in the rural mountains of the US? He didn't know but suspected she was there for him. Not that she knew it, but her magic would draw her to him. Just as his veela would inhabit her dreams until they were mated. That was why he had left Britain after his probation had been completed. He could deal with the glares, jeers and insults but she deserved better. It took him a couple of months to build up his resolve, but in the end he did what was best for his mate. He left. For the last five years he dealt with the decision to separate himself from his perfect other half.

*CLM**CLM*

During those final months, Draco had sorted the management of Malfoy Industries, all the other various holdings, properties and finally his parents. After the trials, it was obvious Lucius was considered a persona non grata and that his mother was going to stand by his side. The couple, having agreed to leave Britain once their own probations were completed, stood shocked as Draco detailed his plans for the future. Both had expected him to leave with them, not to go off on his own.

As Draco transformed for the first time in front of others, his parents were not shocked. Narcissa had watched her son grow taller and broader than his father over the prior two years. Considering who had taken residence in their home leading up to the Final Battle; neither parent had the opportunity to discuss the possibility with Draco. Narcissa knew the ability to transform was the manifestation of his Black inheritance. The fact that Draco would be the first male veela in many centuries was due to the veela blood that flowed from the Malfoy side. The fact veela blood flowed through the veins of the Malfoy family was the closely guarded secret of the family. Had that knowledge ever gotten out, the family would be at risk. Veela blood, even from someone who was not transformed, was highly sought after.

Abraxas Malfoy knew of the Black family ability to transform and engineered the marriage of his son for that fact alone. Lucius had been lucky that he ended up in a loving marriage. Abraxas had been lucky the Black family was reeling from the eldest daughter running off with a muggle born. The second daughter, while obviously insane, would be an option but Abraxas worried what else his grandchild would inherit. In the end, Abraxas selected the youngest daughter and the contract was quickly finalized. Abraxas, always the businessman, ended up getting everything that would have been in the eldest daughter's contract along with a few additional properties. It seemed the Black family was desperate to connect their name to the Malfoy family. So by sheer luck and happenstance, Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black were joined in marriage and found they actually liked their spouse. Maybe it was the magic in the bonding ceremony, maybe it was their shared beliefs, or maybe it was the unmanifested veela blood that had found his mate, but regardless of the reasons the couple created an incredibly strong union that survived two wars, trials and the swing of public opinion. It also gave Draco an idea of what it was to truly love someone. As a child he never doubted his father's desire to ensure his mother was safe, protected and totally loved.

So, while Draco's transformation had not shocked his parents, his plans for the future did. Both suspected it had to do with their son's mate. While the Malfoy and Black families always looked out for themselves first, the veela in their son would look out for his mate first and foremost. So that led them to wonder who his mate was. Draco refused to discuss the topic with them, but when questioned the haunted look on his face gave him away. Narcissa had seen that look on her son's face twice in his life. The first was over the Easter holidays his seventh year as a muggleborn young witch was tortured in their drawing room. The second time was after the Final Battle and he watched the youngest Weasley boy kiss the muggleborn girl in their class. In both cases, Hermione Granger was there. It didn't take much for his parents to realize the brilliant witch who had been the only competition their son had encountered would be his perfect match. After a lifetime of indoctrination and prejudice, it wasn't something they immediately accepted or were fine with. In the end; however, they knew if their family lines were to continue it would include the witch who had fought against them and if the news stories were slightly accurate, was the reason the Harry Potter had been able to prevail.

After confirming his status as a manifested veela and that his parents would relocate to one of the estates in France, Draco began to research areas for him to live. This led to locating areas that were uninhabited for people, magical or muggle. Draco found those areas were rare in EuroAsian continent and eventually he turned his focus to the New World. After deciding to leave Europe, he spent his time looking for a place where he could live out his remaining years. He quickly knocked out Canada (way too cold), the Southwestern US (way too hot), and Central America (way too muggy). South America seemed appealing, but should he need to communicate with the locals it would be difficult as Spanish and Portuguese were not languages he understood. So in the end, Draco opted for the US. In looking at the country he was pleased to note the mountains in the eastern portion of the country included large areas of magical creatures. At least there, he could find some common ground and that was how Draco ended up building a large home on the top of a mountain in what the muggles had named West Virginia, USA.

Life was relatively easy for the wizard, he erected two sets of wards and ensured his privacy. The beings that lived on the land did not threaten him and he extended them the same curtesy. The relationship was symbiotic in some respects. Draco brought a bit of additional protection to the area and the magical creatures ensured the wild animals didn't get too close.

*CLM**CLM*

While Draco had spent the morning hours replaying the time between the end of the war and now, his thoughts had always been focused on hist mate. With those thoughts clearly in the front of his mind, he immediately sensed when the witch crossed the first ward.

That first day was agony and ecstasy wrapped into one for Draco. He had been away from his mate for years and sensing her was filling the void in his soul. For all that time, he pushed the emptiness from his mind but with her so unbearable close, he couldn't deny himself. Without realizing what was happening, Draco transformed and followed the witch as she walked through the forest surrounding his home. He watched as she surveyed the land and eventually sat against a tree. She pulled out a small paper bag, thermos and some tea bags. He watched as she opened the thermos and dropped the tea bags into the water. He idly wondered if the water was hot enough for the tea to steep. As she waited for her tea, she pulled out a sandwich, and an apple. She nestled against the tree and ate her simple lunch. She hummed as she ate. After finishing, she removed the tea bags from the thermos, wrapped up all her trash and returned it to her bag. She smiled and brought the thermos to her lips. Draco almost gave himself away with laughter. The witch spit the tea out and complained about lukewarm water and crappy American tea. After dumping out the apparently horrid concoction, Hermione pulled out a bottle of water and drank it down. She sat for a bit longer before standing and beginning her walk back toward the wards.

Draco continued to follow the witch until she stood at the point where she must have crossed the wards. Draco sat hidden in the tree and held his breath. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he knew his veela would not just let the witch go again. It was then she spoke. "Thank you for allowing me to access your lands. I mean no disrespect or have any ulterior motives. I will return tomorrow. I would like to speak with you."

Draco watched as she turned and pulled out what he suspected was a portkey. As she spun away, he took off from his position and returned to the balcony. He stood silently on the balcony for a few hours before coming to the realization that running would never work. He needed to understand why the witch was here and what would be the best for her.

Looking at the clock Draco knew his parents would be less than pleased to hear from him. They were 8 hours ahead and it would be the middle of the night. His sole remaining contact in the wizarding world was a traveler and Merlin himself probably didn't know the current location of one Blaise Zabini. Deciding the latter would be easier to talk to, Draco sent out a message to what amounted as his best friend.

*CLM**CLM*

Blaise Zabini had spent the years after the war running. He wasn't running from the Ministry or charges, he had escaped Britain after his sixth year. Draco told him to not return to Hogwarts for his seventh year and Blaise knew better than to question anything from the Malfoy heir. After news of the final battle had broken across the wizarding world, Blaise worried for his friends. A few hadn't made it, others seemed to have disappeared and some were obviously going to have to pay for their crimes. Blaise asked if his testimony would help Draco and the blonde told his friend that nothing could save him.

"Live for me. I have done things that cannot be forgiven and I will allow justice to prevail." That was the only letter Blaise had received from Draco for years. He read about the Malfoy family trials, the testimonies and the surprising support provided by Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. The judgements were probably too lenient given what the family had admitted to doing; however, Hermione Granger was able to prove the family had been coerced into the most vile of their actions. As Blaise read her testimony it seemed, to him at least, there was something she wasn't saying but she was hell-bent on saving the family that had treated her like dirt for her entire time in the wizarding world. In the end, Hermione got what she wanted and none of the Malfoys were sentenced to Azkaban. The family would be monitored for two years and required to undertake sessions with both a mind healer and classes to better understand the muggle world. The Ministry hoped to use the family as an example of how people could grow and change. What the Ministry got was a lot of bad press and the Malfoys were lucky to be under the protection of the Ministry.

Blaise wasn't surprised when he received the first missive from his friend almost two years after the trials were complete. The family's sentences were about to expire and they all planned to leave Britain. What surprised the Italian wizard was Draco's request for Blaise to be available to the Malfoy parents should they need assistance. Only after getting his friend to agree to a meeting did Blaise get any idea of why the request had been made. The Draco that stood in front of Blaise barely reassembled the boy he remembered. Draco had grown and was now close to two meters tall. In addition, his body had grown as well. Instead of sickly and thin, Draco had thick shoulders and a strong lean build.

It took Blaise all of dinner and most of their post-dinner drinks before getting Draco to admit his secret. Blaise immediately swore on his magic and life to never reveal what he had been told. It was only after the vows that Draco transformed. For Draco it had been a bit freeing, he had only ever shown himself to his parents. Now he had another confidant who would protect his secret. Blaise wasn't in the top quarter of their class for nothing, he quickly thought through all their classes and what little he knew about veela to realize Draco had to know his mate.

Blaise had been shocked to learn the Muggleborn that had been their target for years ended up being the mate to his best friend. He chuckled as the veela bore down on the Italian. "Really Mate, you don't see the irony in this? Laughter is better than crying. So you are leaving while you can still make rational decisions. Will you give her the option?"

Blaise remembered the look of longing, devotion and unadulterated love that pass through Draco's eyes before he firmly shook his head and admitted to leaving without approaching the witch. Blaise understood Draco's thoughts, the Malfoy family had been the target of threats and the one thing more important to a veela than being with his mate was the protection of the mate. "Will you die?" Blaise's question hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity.

"No, at least I don't believe so. I have found a few books in the family library and it seems the story was fabricated centuries ago when a veela's mate refused his advances. The veela, knowing it was fear that caused the mate to reject him, used a bit of trickery and guilt to get her to agree to be courted. Later in the story it was said she was drawn to him, but as a muggle she didn't understand the draw. But I don't know if that is true or not. All the books were written by those who had already mated."

"Just send me a note every so often. If I don't hear anything then I will come to check on you." A look passed between the friends. Draco nodded once and the topic was dropped in favor of what Draco needed his friend to do.

*CLM**CLM*

Blaise stood holding a note and portkey from Draco. It seemed the wizard needed to speak with him posthaste. Shrugging, Blaise put together a small bag of clothes and allowed the portkey to deliver him to his friend. As he regained his balance, Blaise appeared to have arrived in office and it was only after he turned did he see his friend.

"So what has happened to cause you to bring me to you? Not that it upsets me, it's been years and I'm glad to see you are still standing." Blaise walked to his friend and hugged him. Neither man had much experience showing emotions with physical touches, but Blaise had been interacting with witches from different backgrounds and found they respond best to hugs. Might as well see if bird-like friends did the same.

"Seriously Blaise? A hug?" Draco may have been surprised, but human contact had been sorely missed over the years. Draco didn't pull away as he made his next statement "She's here Blaise. I don't think I can run again. I need to know why she is here and what she is doing." Blaise patted his friend on the back and led him to the couch.

This was totally expected. When Blaise agreed to be the liaison with Draco's parents there was an unstated request for Blaise to keep up to date on Hermione Granger as well. He would not interfere with her life but at some point both wizards knew Draco would break and need to know about her. So Blaise made sure to read the crappy Daily Prophet and groan worthy Witch Weekly. It gave him enough of an insight to the reclusive witch to assuage any concerns his friend could have.

"It seems a couple years ago, your witch decided working behind a desk wasn't really for her. At the same time, she realized she wanted something more than what was on offer to her in Britain. Potter had quickly married Weaslette after you left and the Weasel seemed to think Granger would marry him. She rebuffed him and he responded by bedding as many other witches as he could. Not really sure why he thought that would make Granger want him, but it made for some pretty enjoyable stories. I may have saved some of the better articles about their public 'discussions' on the topic, should you want to read them. Needless to say, your witch hasn't dated much and has been touted as the 'most eligible witch' for multiple years. Many men have claimed to be her lover, but she has shot down their claims with irrefutable evidence every time. The men apparently forget she was called the 'Brightest Witch of Our Age' for a reason." Draco smirked at that. Hermione was far too intelligent to fall for some smooth talker.

Blaise took a moment to catch his breath and allow Draco to revel in what he was being told about his mate. "It was about two years ago she changed jobs and started to work with magical creatures. From what I've been able to gather, muggles are fascinated with the mythical world and Ministries around the globe were getting concerned. Granger stepped into a role that was made for her. Shacklebolt literally created the department with her in mind. The Weasley family hasn't approved of her travels and have made multiple comments about her decisions. I think there is a rift forming but your witch is too forgiving to actually end the relationship."

Draco snorted, "That should surprise absolutely no one." Blaise wasn't sure which statement Draco was responding to, but it was true for everything.

"However, as to the exact reason she is here, I don't know. She travels the majority of the time now and what I've heard is she may only be in Britain a few days a month at most. And those are mostly weekends. One more thing you may want to know. There was a book released in the last year. Skeeter did one of her hack-jobs on the events leading up, during and after the Final Battle. As expected, she wasn't exactly kind to Granger. There were comments made about what happened at the Manor, Granger's failure to detail what happened to her and whether Hermione's actions in the war were really true."

A few things happened at once, Draco shattered the glass in his hand, there was a sound of shredding cloth and finally a growl that would have intimidated the most ferocious animal. With that a vengeful veela stood before Blaise. Draco was shaking in his anger, he knew enough that whatever Skeeter said would have been sensationalized and entirely inaccurate, but the witches who read that crap believed it. He saw exactly what happened when Skeeter turned on a witch, even a fifteen year old witch in her fourth year of school. Draco lamented his part in Skeeter's original stories about Hermione as he formulated a plan to destroy the witch who dared to attack his mate.

"Don't Draco, Granger took care of it. Skeeter has been fired and no other paper will touch her." That didn't seem to appease the creature as it appeared he would be leaving to enact his own retribution. "Draco, let me finish, you know the stories that were whispered at school. Her revenge was to target whatever the person help most dear." Draco calmed just enough for the look of eminent destruction to fade from his eyes. "Skeeter even applied at The Quibbler and the Lovegood girl laughed her out of the building. It seems as if she and Granger are still friends. Rumors are Granger knew about Skeeter being unregistered and let that fact slip in a public meeting. As Shacklebolt and Potter were probably part of the plan and were in attendance at the meeting, Skeeter was immediately brought into Ministry custody. The next day a new writer was in Skeeter's place detailing the discovery and arrest. She was sentenced to some community work but her real sentence was not having an outlet for her brand of trash." Draco's ragged breath calmed and slowly his wings and fangs retracted. Before long, Draco stood before his friend.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it. Having her so close today has been too much. Do you know why she is here?" Again Blaise shook his head, no one really had any information on the comings and goings of Granger. She lived her life for her. "Do you know if she is happy?"

"That is a good question, she loves her job and that goes without saying. She is extremely private and there is very little accurate information on her private life. I will say, it appears your witch hasn't found what she is looking for. The magical creatures she helps are probably profiting off of your departure. But the real question now is what are you going to do?"

Draco didn't have an answer that night. In fact it would take him almost two and a half weeks before a decision would be made. Blaise knew that he had done all that he could, with a motion to the floo and a nod from his friend, Blaise left and returned to his home. It would be a long day for the Italian wizard but it was worth it. Maybe his friend's self-imposed exile would end. Or maybe Granger would relocate. Either way, Blaise was pretty sure the pair would be together before too long.

*CLM**CLM*

For the rest of the week, Draco woke to images of Hermione in his arms. Some of the dreams were more explicit than others. Those were the mornings Draco felt Hermione's reactions the most. Her frustration and eventual release washed over him. Their connection was getting stronger, and Draco was correct in that he couldn't run again. His veela side would emerge and take but Draco's other side, the reasonable side, knew that was the wrong way to approach her. He didn't know the correct way, but had promised to not run away. It was all he could do.

Draco had stalked Hermione for a week and was astonished in how much land she was able to cover. When she reached the boundary edge for his home, Draco held his breath. She seemed to note the apparent clearing but didn't make any attempt to access it. She had checked her watch and realized it was time to head back toward where she access the wards. She seemed to believe she was alone and began to grumble about not being able to apparate within the boundaries. Draco didn't have to think before he reacted. He quickly summoned a sheet of paper and pen. Writing her a quick note he attached it to a tree and took his position to watch her leave.

Hermione noticed the paper almost immediately and after reading it she smiled. "Thank you. I believe you mean no harm. I will return on Monday." Draco relaxed knowing she would be back. He had to live a couple of days without her, but he could do that, right? He had gone almost six years without her. What was forty-eight hours?

*CLM**CLM*

The forty-eight hours waiting for Hermione to return seemed to be endless. She must not have returned to Britain and wherever she was staying was still close enough for their magic to sense each other. Being so near also had the shared dreams continuing. On Sunday morning Draco was near his breaking point and was thinking about trying to find where his witch was staying. It was in the midst of his planning that he realized Sunday was nearing an end. He thanked every and any deity he knew that he had been distracted.

Monday morning found Draco waiting for Hermione in his tree facing the point she had used to access the wards the week before. When she appeared Draco released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. She had come back. As she passed through the wards Draco allowed himself a moment to sense her presence and as he opened his eyes he saw her apparating away. He didn't think but took off after her. The wards allowed him to track anyone within them and just a few moments later he spotted her standing at the edge of the clearing she found on Friday. Settling himself as closely as he dared, Draco watched in fascination as she identified and mapped the boundary surrounding his home. She still spoke to herself and she quickly noted the circular ward was in the center of the protection wards.

Draco had never been able to be actively watch the witch as she worked through problems. At school he had to act a certain way. It wasn't that much of an act at first. He had been raised to believe he was better than anyone and that included other purebloods. He was the result of centuries of breeding. He didn't understand the ugly side of those beliefs until he witnessed it first hand. Fifth year had been difficult but sixth year was beyond words, he had barely survived the steep learning curve. He quickly discovered being invisible was the best option and he slowly attempted to keep himself out of the light. That was also the time be began to realize he was different from his friends. His senses were becoming more attuned to his surroundings. Other didn't hear the things he did or see things quite as clearly. It had taken a couple of years to come to grips with his changes.

Everything he had done to that moment, everything he had seen, heard and experienced, paled to what he was forced to watch over Easter his seventh year. When Lucius had returned home over that Christmas, he feared for his life. He and Draco spent hours together as Draco was taught about the wards protecting the Manor. Lucius supervised with pride as Draco placed his own protective ward over the rest of the established wards surrounding the home. Each Malfoy heir would place his wards over his father's ward as a way to strengthen the formidable protection. It allowed the younger man to learn to sense the wards while the property still being protected by the elder Malfoy. As Draco learned to sense the difference in people accessing the grounds, he also learned to tell the difference between those arriving on their own accord or not. He shuddered every time a Death Eater entered his family grounds and dreaded when someone accessed the wards against their will.

Draco had remained in his wing that Easter holiday and only appeared for meals when directed. It was one such meal that was interrupted when Draco and his father sensed multiple unknown people crossing the wards. It didn't take long before the family was faced with three more magical beings who were brought to the Manor against their will. Draco immediately knew the trio were who The Dark Lord wanted more than anyone. He stood cursing the trio for getting caught. At the same time he noticed Potter and Weasley looked worse for wear but their features were distorted enough that unless you knew the wizard you wouldn't immediately be able to identify them.

When Draco was asked to identify the three in front of him something happened when he looked at Granger. She was thin and sickly, there was quite a bit of fear in her expression, but under that fear was a fire. Draco could not allow that fire to be extinguished. He lied for everything he was worth and when his Aunt began to torture the girl, Draco snapped. Something inside of him came alive and his magic increased. Without his voice or wand he protected the witch on the ground. No one around them knew what was going on as he begged the witch to keep screaming. She did as she was asked and while he protected her, he was able to summon the elf his father hated and had happily severed the bond when the opportunity had arrived. With permission to cross the Malfoy wards the elf did not disappoint. He was able to save not only the three that needed to escape but the other 'visitors' as well.

Shaking himself from the memories of that time, he reminded himself they were all dead. He had personally lit the pyre that included his Aunt's body. He watched as the bodies of those who lived to hurt, were returned to the ash from which they came. His mother shed tears for the girl who had been her sister, but that girl had been dead for decades and now her body was just catching up.

Everything he had suffered was worth it, if he had not been at the Manor that night there is a chance none of them would have survived to this point. The war would have gone a dramatically different direction.

*CLM**CLM*

Hermione spent the rest of Monday and in fact the rest of the week mapping the land, Draco still wondered why she was doing it but he wasn't going to question her being near him. He watched and based on her speed, he guessed she would finish mapping the property sometime in the next week. On that second Friday, as she had done everyday, she thanked Draco and crossed the wards. Draco dreaded the next two days and took off from his branch. He missed her slight delay in activating her portkey.

It was Saturday afternoon that Draco began to feel the desire to find Hermione. It seemed he could handle the short few hours between her departure and return the next morning but not much more. Luckily, her scent still permeated the area she was exploring and Draco spent the rest of the day sitting next to where she had settled down and ate lunch the day before. He hadn't noticed the sun setting or the sounds of the mountain changing from day to night. The first inkling of how much time had elapsed was when he began to feel Hermione dream. It was an unusual feeling the first time it's experienced, but once Draco understood he would settle himself and allow the pleasure that Hermione experienced seep into his mind. He laid his head against the tree and enjoyed every moment.

As it always seems to feel, morning came too soon. Draco drug himself from her dream and scent before returned to his home. He spent the day fighting the urge the growing urge to find his mate. By Sunday evening he was on the edge of breaking his own vow when the calming sense of his sleeping mate broke through. Draco released a shuddering breath and sat on his balcony. He allowed Hermione's emotions from her dream wash over him and it wasn't until it was too late that he realized this dream was different. Fear, anxiety, desperation were a few of the emotions he could sense. He had only felt that combination from his mate once and it was the night his veela had first acted to protect her.

Using his magic, he tried to break into her dream without success and as suddenly as it came on, Draco sensed Hermione was awake. She was out of sorts but no longer in the throws of her nightmare. When she appeared at the boundary that day, she appeared to be slightly more distracted but Draco chalked that up to the nightmare. For the next few day Hermione worked through the rest of the land between the two wards. Draco had thought about dropping the interior ward and allowing Hermione to access the rest of the property. Draco debated all of Wednesday and before he knew she was standing at the edge of the wards and telling him goodbye.

There was nothing that would stop his veela and this time it wasn't going to allow Draco the option of taking Hermione's choice away.

"Hermione." Draco's whisper carried to the witch, who turned and viewed the being, the wizard, who would give her the world.

"I was right."

*CLM**CLM*

A/N2 - So I have a third chapter in process. This last week has been a bit hectic between work and the unexpected death of a cousin. I hope to be able to have the third chapter up next Sunday, but please understand if it is slightly delayed.

As always, thank you for taking your time to read. I hope Draco didn't disappoint. Although if he did, maybe he'll make it up in the last chapter.