Thank you guys for your reviews! So many of you are very loyal readers and I love that you're enjoying the story. I posted a start to a series of random one shots last week as well. Check it out if you're looking for some short stories. :)

Malfoy Manor

One Month Later

She had no idea how he'd convinced her to come over to his townhouse on a work night. She generally insisted that they meet for dinner in public. He walked her home, she kissed him, maybe invited him for a cup of tea and he went home. However, today he'd managed to convince her by insisting that he'd be cooking her dinner. The prospect of seeing Draco Malfoy cook was just too good to resist and she'd caved.

Shockingly, he was a great cook. He'd cooked her the most decadent chicken marsala that she'd nearly drooled over and topped it with a turtle cheesecake he'd picked up from their favorite shop.

Their favorite. They had a favorite. They were a they. Merlin knew she never thought in a million years that would happen. It had been nearly two months since they'd started dating and it was still sinking in despite how much she was certain how deep her feelings were progressing in such a short amount of time.

Now she found herself straddling his lap on his lush sofa snogging him like he was her last source of oxygen. The way his tongue stroked her own made her shiver and his wide hands running the length of her back and palming her rear nearly had her undone. He touched her like she was sacred and held her like he was afraid she'd leave him if he didn't.

They'd already had the discussion three weeks into dating. He knew where her line was drawn in the sand. He could kiss, lick, and touch whatever he liked but the clothes stayed on. Sharing her past dating history, as dismal as it was, hadn't been easy. Her short-lived episode with Ron post-war never really materialized into anything. Her one and only serious boyfriend after him had turned out to be a jerk.

"When he finally got what he wanted he dumped me a week later." She'd shrugged at his shocked expression as she sat across from Draco at a café for lunch. "Shocked me as well. I just decided that the next time I was going to make the man wait. I've not been with anyone since."

She'd expected some opposition about how he was different and she should trust him but Draco just leaned forward and brushed a finger down her nose before kissing her lips gently. "You're worth more than that. Certainly worth the wait."

He'd even divulged that much of his dating history written about in the Daily Prophet had been fabricated. While smooth as could be, he wasn't the Romeo they made him out to be. He was very selective and surprisingly admitted to having only been with three women his entire life.

His discriminating ways and honesty had touched her, adding another layer of just who this man was. He saved his tenderness towards her for when they were alone but all of her friends seemed to understand that he was serious about her.

Hermione moaned when he palmed her rear in both hands and pressed her closer as he sucked her lower lip. He was just too good at this. Every kiss, every lick sent her body burning up. Every time he groaned when she ran her hands through his soft, short hair she nearly lost it. The fact that she had Draco Malfoy in the palm of her hand, wanting her touch so badly sent her mind reeling. It gave her an odd, archaic sense of triumph to know the hold she had over her former enemy. But she'd be lying if she said he didn't affect her just the same.

Neither heard the roar of flames in his floo or was aware that they weren't alone until an elegant throat cleared.

Hermione wrenched her mouth from his quickly and nearly fell to the floor when she looked up to find Narcissa Malfoy standing in front of them, elegantly dressed as always, and waiting with a lifted eyebrow.

"I apologize for interrupting. I had no idea you had company, Draco."

Hermione scrambled to separate herself from him. She was a grown woman and here she was trying to put herself back together after being caught snogging by her boyfriend's mother like some bloody teenager.

She glanced at Draco who looked utterly livid to have been interrupted, steam practically fuming from his ears.

"Mother," he greeted through gritted teeth.

Narcissa waved a casual hand through the air and offered a genial smile. "I'm here for the jewelry you had repaired for me, dear."

Draco nearly growled in irritation. He was fairly certain she'd somehow done this on purpose. She'd been nagging him since she'd learned of their first date to have Hermione over at the manor for dinner and he hadn't agreed yet, wanting to protect his still new girlfriend from his mother's overbearing nature just a little longer.

He shot an apologetic look towards Hermione and heaved himself from the sofa. "Let me go get them then, mother."

Hermione watched nervously as he left the room in search of the jewelry. She avoided eye contact with his mother and discreetly wiped her mouth with the back of her hand where he'd been licking and sucking just moments before. To her horror, her lip gloss was nearly all gone and she imagined Draco had a lovely pink sheen on his lips now.

Narcissa's warm smile never wavered as she lowered herself most gracefully into an armchair opposite the sofa.

"I do apologize for interrupting, dear. I've been asking to meet with you for weeks now actually. Typical Draco though, he doesn't like to share."

The younger witch glanced up quickly at that admission and fought the urge to gawk. "I'm sorry?"

The older witch drew her wand and with graceful ease conjured the coffee pot that Draco had started but forgotten just after their dinner. Two cups and the proper accoutrements came sailing through the air gracefully as well and she poured herself a cup before offering one for Hermione.

Hermione took the cup from her, nervous not to accept it, and took a gulp of the still hot liquid. She rarely took her coffee black but frankly it was much welcomed after this little upset to her night.

"Are you fertile, Miss Granger?"

Hermione choked most clumsily on a sip of her coffee. She coughed a bit, her eyes watering slightly as she gained control over her fit.

"Ex-excuse me," she rasped.

Narcissa looked slightly impatient. "Fertile, Miss Granger. Can you have children?"

Hermione's cheeks flushed as her eyes darted anywhere but at the mother of the man she was dating. "I—as far as I know, yes."

"Good," she smiled primly.

"Pardon me, Mrs. Malfoy, but I really don't understand why you're asking."

"Oh, don't play dumb, dear. It's really unflattering for someone of your intellect." She picked at a piece of nonexistent lint on her sleeve and eyed the younger witch pointedly. "Miss Granger, you're highly intelligent so surely you can see what's happening between you and my son. Draco has never, and I do mean never, chased a witch like this before. I'd like my son married and starting a family of his own. Whether you two realize it or not, I certainly see you and my son married within the year."

Hermione's brown eyes were wide with shock at the candidness of Draco's mother and she swallowed hard. Married? Within the year? Good Godric, she was just becoming comfortable snogging the man on his couch!

Sure, she liked him. Well, if she were truly being honest, it was more than that, especially after his admission that night after dinner with her friends. However, she was still dealing with the shock of falling for Draco Malfoy. She wasn't really certain she was ready to marry him and start popping out children. Though for some odd reason her stomach did a stupid little somersault at the idea of blonde, curly-haired children with infuriating little smirks constantly on their lips. It prompted an interesting mental picture of Draco and her shopping in Diagon Alley with two little ones in tow. She swallowed hard to tamp down the heavy emotion in her chest that such a thought brought on.

She looked up to find his mother watching her intently, a warm expression in her eyes. And this woman would be ok with her having his children? Of them bringing little halfblooded witches and wizards into this world?

Narcissa smiled gently at the younger witch and touched her arm. "Dear, you're falling in love with him."

Was she? She'd been wondering lately if that were the case. She'd never been in love before and wasn't sure what it was supposed to feel like.

"I uh—"

"Here we are, mother."

She was saved from having to respond when Draco reentered the room with the case of jewels in hand.

"Very good," Narcissa smiled and stood from her seat. "Well, I won't linger. Do be a dear and invite your girlfriend to Sunday lunch at the Manor though, Draco."

She waved her hand before she disappeared into the flames of his floo.

Hermione swallowed hard and glanced up at her boyfriend who looked less irritated now but still not pleased to have been interrupted. Just as she thought, his lips appeared a little shinier than usual. They were a bit swollen from their snogging, too. His grey eyes landed on her and his entire expression softened suddenly and it hit her like a sack of bricks.

Sweet Merlin, she was. She was well and truly in love with Draco Malfoy.

~o~O~o~

Hermione sighed as she slowed her run to a jog and then a walk as she approached her building's entrance. She checked her watch as she breathed heavily and nodded to herself once she was sure she wasn't running late. She nodded to one of her neighbors as she entered the lift as they were leaving and leaned against the railing while the doors closed.

The lift dinged when it reached her floor and she pushed off the wall and exited. She was still breathing deeply to catch her breath as she approached her door, at first not noticing the blonde wizard leaning against it casually. She still had no idea why he didn't just let himself in but he'd not done that since the very beginning when she stood him up on Valentine's Day.

"Hmm, my lucky day. A sweaty Granger," he drawled by way of greeting.

Hermione rolled her eyes when she saw him. She dodged his hands as he tried to grab her before pushing inside her flat after releasing her wards, Draco hot on her heels.

"I have to run with all of the sweets you feed me." They'd gone out just for dessert last night and she'd had the most decadent chocolate mousse. She'd had to add an extra run to her routine since she began dating him.

He ignored her self-deprecating and instead cornered her against her kitchen counter with an arm on either side of her as he leaned down to kiss her.

She pressed a hand to the center of his chest and pushed gently. "I'm sweaty, Draco."

"Like I care," he growled before capturing her mouth in a hot kiss. His stomach clenched as he felt the fingertips of one of her hands ghosting along his jaw, the other still pressed against his chest. He only got in a few passes with his tongue over hers before a loud ringing interrupted the moment.

Draco nearly jumped out of his skin, still holding her to him as he glanced over her shoulder to the source of the noise. "Bloody hell, what is that thing?"

Hermione fought a fit of laughter as she reached behind her for her phone to check the message, not caring as he craned over her, his hands now cradling her hips gently.

"It's a phone. I have it to keep in touch with my parents. A lot faster than an owl."

"A phone? I've heard of them but aren't they usually connected to the wall with a cord of some sort?"

She glanced up at him with an impish smile. She really did love his newfound enthusiasm for her background. He'd begun asking a lot of questions lately and regularly raiding her collection of muggle science books.

"This is a mobile phone. It's cordless."

"There's no buttons though," he observed.

"No, it's a touchscreen. It responds to your touch."

He had a look of complete awe on his face as he poked at the screen in her hands carefully. "I take back every stupid thing I've ever said about muggle technology."

"Sweet Godric, I do believe the wizarding world will turn on its head if anyone ever hears you say that."

Draco shrugged and reluctantly released her as she began to wriggle out of his grasp. "We're having lunch with my mother at the manor today. You didn't forget, did you?"

Hermione groaned as she tossed her phone back on the counter and braced her hands on her hips. "How could I forget that? I've been dreading it all week."

He paled considerably at that and swallowed. "She had that room gutted and shut off while she renovated it after the war. You wouldn't recognize it; I swear."

The topic of her torture by his aunt had come up once, by him, after his mother interrupted their evening earlier in the week. It had taken nearly an hour to convince him she'd never been upset with him for not stepping in to stop it. As she'd argued, how could he have without risking being tortured as well? The woman had well and truly been off her rocker with hatred. It seemed his guilt wasn't completely assuaged.

Her defiant stance went slack and she approached him again for a gentle kiss. "I'll be fine. It's more nerves about sitting down to eat with your mother. Take me to pick up the new book I've been waiting on from Flourish and Blott's afterward and we'll call it a truce."

He smiled at that and she patted his chest as she rounded the counter.

"I'm just going to shower and change. You can wait in the living room if you want. I left the book on modern medicine you wanted to read out on the coffee table."

"You sure you don't want to just wear that," he asked, a suggestive smirk on his lips.

Hermione glanced down at her fitted running tank and tights before merely rolling her eyes at him and continuing on to the shower.

Draco just shook his head when her bedroom door closed down the hall and settled himself on the sofa to wait. He found the book she'd referred to and picked it up to peruse, intending to borrow it for more research. He'd educated himself a fair deal post-war about muggles in order to rehabilitate himself further but having a muggle-born girlfriend proved to be even better. She had a first-hand account of everything and provided much better information than his readings.

As he flipped through the book, he tried not to focus on the nerves churning the pit of his stomach. He wasn't nervous about his mother liking Hermione. Truly, while he'd refused to get into much discussion with his mother about his new relationship, he had a feeling she would like her. She'd never been as hell bent like his father on the pureblood ideology and had just as easily progressed in her views as he had post-war.

No, he was most nervous about Hermione liking his mother. She was all he had left really. It was very important to him that both women could get along.

It felt like it'd only been ten short minutes before Hermione reemerged from her bedroom wearing a simple, blue summer dress that was fitted through her waist and fluttered at her knees when she turned. He eyed her from her modest heels to her bare shoulders and swallowed thickly. She was bloody gorgeous.

He watched as she held a clip between her teeth and gathered part of her curls to pin back from her face. She'd put on the bare bits of makeup she normally wore and he was thankful she hadn't tried to overdo it. She looked like her normal self and that's exactly who he wanted his mother see.

"That was fast," he commented as he pushed himself to his feet.

Hermione lifted an amused eyebrow at him and reached for her bag on the coffee table. "I'm a witch, Draco."

He snorted at her sarcastic reminder and nodded. "Touché."

She grinned mischievously at him, looking quite pleased with herself for her little quip and took his offered arm.

Once outside of her building, they walked a block before ducking into a nearby alley. Hermione held his arm tightly as he apparated them just outside of the Malfoy Manor gates. The tall wrought iron gate was adorned with a large 'M' in shining gold. She held his arm tightly as he lifted his free hand to press against the gate. It recognized his touch and slowly swung open to allow them entrance.

Draco glanced down at her, appearing a bit nervous suddenly. "We could have flooed straight into the foyer but I thought you might like to see what she's done with the gardens on the front lawn."

She gave his arm a reassuring squeeze and was thankful to see him relax. Never in her life did she think she'd be back here again but there wasn't any time for silly fears. The war had long been over and they were adults now.

Truly, he'd not been joking when he led her down the main walkway through the front lawn of the manor. Narcissa had her front lawn adorned with lovely well-cut shrubbery and gorgeous flowers which were in full bloom this time of year. A pale, marble fountain sat near the center with the walkway cutting on either side of it and drawing attention to it.

"Is that…" Hermione squinted as they moved closer to the fountain and she glanced up at Draco for confirmation.

"A lion? Yes," he grinned. "It used to be two entwined serpents but when my father was imprisoned and she was given complete rein over the manor, she decided to have what was left of it gutted. She did that with a lot of the manor really."

"But a lion, Draco?"

"It was her way of paying tribute to your dolt of a friend for confirming to her that I was still alive during the Battle of Hogwarts. A constant reminder to do the right thing."

Hermione tried not to laugh but her grin won over anyway. "I bet you just loved that. Just wait until Harry hears about this."

"Don't you dare, you little swot!"

She snickered at his false look of alarm and held his arm tighter still as they approached the front entrance. The grand doors swung open as if on their own and Draco led her into the main foyer. She swallowed hard when two house elves stood awaiting them. Both were dressed immaculately in simple black and white uniforms and stood with their chests puffed out proudly, chins held high.

"Bugger," she muttered under her breath. "I nearly forgot that your family kept house elves."

Draco smiled down at her gently as he led them forward. "Does it help to know that they were freed by my mother after the war and are here by their own choice?"

"Really?"

He smiled at her shocked expression and nodded. He grinned even wider after she leaned up and pressed quick impromptu kiss on his cheek.

"Master Draco, Tizzy will show you to the family dining room. Mistress is already seated and waiting."

Draco nodded to the elf and pulled Hermione along with him down the main hall. Much to his mother's distaste, he'd moved out on his own not long after going back to complete his seventh year at Hogwarts after the war. She'd not finished her renovations at the time and being within those cold, dark walls made his stomach churn. Coming home since the changes had made it easier but he still had trouble with the memories of what had taken place there.

He glanced down at the witch on his arm and was relieved not to see any anxiety on her face. She appeared too enthralled with taking in the sights of the old wizarding art his mother had collected on the walls and the rich tapestries she'd brought back from France and Italy the last couple of years.

"Be careful," he whispered in a light tone, "If she finds out you appreciate art, she'll insist you take her on a muggle art tour in London. She's wanted someone to take her for ages and I don't know shit about muggle art."

He smiled when she laughed and nodded.

"I can only imagine what such an outing would be like." The mere idea of taking Narcissa Malfoy out with muggles to look at art was a bit crazy, even for her. Really this entire afternoon was crazy.

She watched him as he stopped abruptly outside of the dining room as the house elf took off. "Honestly, this is all insane if you think about it," she finally spoke her thoughts aloud.

Draco lifted a questioning eyebrow as he turned to face her. "You mean…you and me?" He sighed when she nodded and leaned down to press a short but sensual kiss to her lips. "Trust me; I'm aware. I spent about a week trying to convince myself I was just crazy when I first realized that I liked you. You and I…we didn't make sense then."

He grasped both of her hands in his and brought them each to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles as he eyed the tiny, nearly unnoticeable scars along the back of the left. I will not break rules. He remembered the one long scar near her wrist from the time he'd tripped her in the dungeons after potions fifth year. Worse, he remembered the look of pure loathing she'd sent him as he laughed at her.

"But…lots of things in life don't make sense. What does make sense is two very intelligent, interesting, extremely good looking," he smirked at her shy smile, a smile he well and truly enjoyed when it was just for him, "people being together. Let's be honest before we step in there and you officially meet my mother, and Granger, I don't generally introduce women to my mother unless I'm serious. You and I have always had chemistry. Whether it be slightly volatile or completely molten, we go well together. You match my wit and I challenge your mind. With all of the idiocy of the past swept under the rug, why can't you and I make sense now?"

Hermione's mouth was open slightly in awe as she stared up at him. Truly, he wasn't wrong. Subtract the idiotic views and all you had left were two perfectly well-suited people. He was dark where she was light. He was relaxed where she was uptight. She was brilliant and matched his wit.

Maybe others still had trouble seeing it but they really could make sense.

She snaked a hand around the back of his neck and pulled him down to her. She sighed contentedly when their mouths met. When he deepened their kiss with a feral growl, pulling her chest flush against his, she felt her heart drum out a new rhythm.

Merlin help her. He really was it.

"You two certainly seem to have a preoccupation with snogging in my presence."

Their mouths separated with a soft smack as they turned to face a smirking Narcissa who was now standing in the dining room doorway, hands clasped neatly in front of her as she waited expectantly to be noticed.

Hermione swallowed as she licked her lips, a furious blush rushing to the surface of her cheeks. She looked back to Draco in time to see him roll his eyes at his mother. She felt his wide palm press into the small of her back as he began moving them forward finally.

"Have you seen her lips," he grinned at his mother as they passed. "Can't help myself."

Hermione glared at him indignantly, narrowly missing the way his mother pressed her lips into a thin line before rolling her eyes at her son.

"That may be but try to give her mouth a break and let the poor woman eat her lunch in peace, dear."

Draco snorted as they followed his mother into the dining room. Normally there was a larger dinner table in the room but he noticed the smaller, more intimate setting his mother had opted for. Obviously, she was doing her best not to overwhelm Hermione. While his mother had changed in many ways, she was still the utter living, breathing elegance of pureblood social etiquette. It was something that could be a little overwhelming for someone who'd not been raised within that bubble.

He stepped behind Hermione and seated her first, as was proper etiquette. One was always supposed to seat their intended before any other women in the room. Some of the old rules were acceptable to keep, in his opinion. He seated his mother next before taking his seat next to his girlfriend at the small, four person table.

Hermione was a little overwhelmed with it all but got the feeling in her gut that this was a tamed version of a normal family dinner he might have attended in the past. She followed their lead and unfolded her napkin in her lap as their lunch of roasted lamb, roasted carrots, and seared asparagus materialized on their plates, much as it had in the Great Hall.

Oddly, while she'd relaxed on their way here, she found herself tightening up again as she sat across from Draco's mother.

"Do relax, dear," Narcissa urged with a serene smile. "You're very welcome here."

"No, she's not! Filthy mudblood!"

Hermione's eyes widened at the slur she'd not heard directed at her nearly as much since the war and glanced at Draco warily. His eyes had narrowed and he was glaring at the wall behind his mother, a dark scowl transforming his formerly bright expression. She followed his glare to a ragged picture on the wall. Narcissa raised her wand without looking behind her and sent a strong hex against the picture.

She offered the younger witch an apologetic smile as she replaced her wand up her sleeve. She looked well and truly mortified, despite her smile. "Apologies, Miss Granger. I've removed all dark artifacts from the manor over the years except that blasted picture of my husband's father. I'm afraid there's a rather powerful sticking charm on it."

Hermione glanced back at the photo to see the moving picture of the wizard in question shaking his fists violently, mouth moving but no sound coming out.

"Ruddy nutter, he was," Draco muttered irritably as he stared down at his plate, obviously a bit embarrassed as well.

Her heart went out to them both. She knew, though she couldn't say she cared at the time, how hard he'd worked to improve their family's image. People said nasty things in the beginning. They'd defected at the last minute which made them worse than traitors. They'd gone neutral when it mattered most. Yet, she knew more than most by working in the Ministry all that he'd done to make amends. He'd made a splash at charity events and lent his name to various reform efforts. Most of all, he'd quietly helped the aurors round up the last death eaters by donating funds to help with depleted resources. That was one of his lesser known good deeds.

Hermione offered Narcissa a calm smile and picked up her fork again. "I've done well in the past reversing some of the worst sticking charms. Perhaps one day you'll let me have a go at it."

Narcissa smiled at the woman and nodded in agreement. "And then we'll know if you're not able to do it then it really is a lost cause."

Draco's mouth finally pulled into a smile as well. "If you think sucking up to her about her intelligence will get you anywhere, mother, you've got another thing coming. It's gotten me nothing more than a handful of glares and eye rolls."

His girlfriend glared at him playfully. "Has he always been this irritating?"

"Even at birth," Narcissa answered with an amused smirk. "That's one thing about Draco, at least he's consistent."

Draco groaned miserably and stuck a piece of lamb in his mouth. "Should have known better than to formally have the two of you meet. Now you're going to gang up on me and make life hell."

"Language, Draco," his mother admonished primly as she bit a carrot.

He grinned malevolently. "Sorry. Bleeding hell."

"Oh behave, would you," Hermione scolded him as well.

He groaned but merely continued to eat as the two most important women in his life got to know each other. Just as he'd hoped, they got along wonderfully. His mother, being the accomplished host that she was, delved into conversation over Hermione's work at the Ministry which got the witch's excitement pumping. He mostly watched and ate, offering the occasional smartass remark when the opportunity presented itself but overall he was content to enjoy the moment.

"Draco, she really is lovely," his mother commented after Hermione excused herself to the bathroom.

He sighed, unable to tamp down that heady feeling of what could only be described as love from invading his chest. She'd wrapped him so tightly around her finger and she hadn't even had to try.

Narcissa smiled at the look on her only son's face. "So when are you going to ask her then?"

Draco snapped out of his daze, his eyes blinking quickly as he refocused on what his mother had just asked him. He glanced towards the doorway to make sure they were still alone.

"Merlin, be careful how loudly you ask that!"

"Well," she prodded. "Draco, don't pretend. You were probably in love with her before she ever agreed to that first date. Now you're certain of it."

He shrugged noncommittally. "Maybe I am but that doesn't mean she is. It took two months just to break down the bloody witch's defenses and get her to agree to go out with me. Even then, she didn't believe at first that I was serious. I don't really know that three months is enough time for her to decide she's ready to marry me. She's just getting used to the idea of dating me for Merlin's sake."

Narcissa sighed dramatically and nodded. "Yes, and you were a right prick to her growing up. And I saw the reaction in the Prophet when you were spotted out together in public the first time. Shock and awe would be an understatement."

Draco folded his hands on the table as he eyed his mother from the corner of his eyes. "Yes, father certainly set us up with a lovely reputation. It was a wonderful headline, wasn't it? Ex-Death Eater and Golden Girl Making Nice? It was almost like they forgot that they'd just named me 'most eligible bachelor' again this year."

"Yes, it's likely those titles will follow us no matter what we do and how we change, but Draco, if she doesn't care then why should you?"

Draco didn't get the chance to respond as Hermione reentered the room and reclaimed her seat next to him with a gentle smile. She was smiling at him, for him.

He reached for her closest hand and lifted it to his mouth to press his lips against her knuckles gently. He watched as a sweet blush flooded her cheeks at his open display of affection and turned to glance at his mother. He merely nodded.