A/N: Guys! I did it! Thank you, everyone, for your patience as I write the epilogues. This is the first of a few that will eventually go up and follow parts of Draco's and Hermione's life. I cannot thank you all enough for the love and support this story has been given. Love you guys so much!
SEPTEMBER 1998
Draco and Hermione stepped off the Thestral-drawn carriages, anxious to behold the damage of war.
They were met with a jarring sight.
Inexplicably, Hogwarts nearly looked the same as before the battle. The castle was left with but a few scars, places where the stone had been singed by the heat of battle - a stark reminder of what had happened on the hallowed ground just four months ago.
Draco had steeled his nerves for flashbacks, for side effects from the potential P.T.S.D. his counselor warned him about. He'd prepared himself for the fact Hermione may have them too. That he may have to be her support in spite of his own weakness.
The counselor had spent weeks coaching him to face such things. Surprisingly, they never came.
"Good evening," McGonagall greeted everyone once the sorting was complete. "I know many of you are hungry and tired from the journey, so I'll make these beginning-of-term announcements brief. First years note that the Dark Forest is strictly off limits, and any student caught wandering around after curfew will be severely punished." The new Headmistress paused for a moment to let the words sink in before a somber expression overtook her face. "I know a lot of us returning feel the horrors that have happened within these walls not so long ago. In light of these tragic events, I have added a mind healer to the staff to be available for counseling should any of you feel the need to seek help."
Low murmurs filled the Great Hall. From the head table, a woman, young in light purple robes and a long blonde braid draped over her shoulder stood before the Hall. She must have been the counselor.
"Please give Mrs. Carmichael a warm greeting."
Slowly, the children began clapping for the counselor as she gave them a short bow before resuming her seat. After that, McGonagall quickly dismissed everyone to the meal, many eating with vigor and delight that only the Beginning of Term feast at Hogwarts could inspire. When the dirty dishes cleared, Draco charged the fifth year Gryffindor Prefects to escort the first year students to the tower, trusting they would explain the rules and help them settle in for the first night. He then looked over at Hermione, giving her a heated look before taking her hand and leading her up the staircase to where the head's dorm was located.
Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. "How do you know the password, and I don't?"
Draco winked at her. "It's a surprise." He turned to the portrait. "Carpe Diem."
The painted wizard nodded, giving the young couple a subtle wink, and swung open, revealing a kitchenette and a romantically decorated living room. A brightly burning fireplace warmed the space in the corner while a trail of rose petals followed toward a small spiral staircase that led to their shared bedroom.
"Draco," Hermione gasped. She looked at her fiancé with awe. "When did you…."
"Dobby helped," the blond wizard admitted.
She crossed her arms, prepared to admonish him for abusing his former elf, when Draco placed his hands on her shoulder. "He wanted to help make our first night back at Hogwarts feel safe and comfortable," he informed her placatingly. "He asked me what he could do before the school year started, and I suggested he decorate the room. To be honest, I had no idea what he would do, so… this is as much a surprise to me as it is to you."
Her face softened before she leaned up to kiss his lips gently. "We'll have to go to the kitchens tomorrow to thank him."
"Yes," Draco agreed. "But tonight, I'm ravishing you, witch."
Hermione squeaked as Draco hoisted her up, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist. She kissed him fervently as Draco navigated them up the tiny spiral staircase.
"Hmm," Hermione hummed when Draco kicked the door open to reveal a large king-size bed. "One bed."
Draco smirked. "Are you complaining?" he teased as he threw her on the mattress.
"No," she laughed, her body bouncing off the duvet. She reached toward him, her hands forming claws and desperately trying to divest them of their clothing.
Merlin, why did their uniforms require so many layers?
When he finally got her sweater and shirt free, Draco kissed down her stomach and pulled her clothed nipple into his mouth.
"Missed… you…" she moaned in between his ministrations.
"Missed you more," Draco gasped against her neck when he felt her core rise up to rub against his hardening cock.
They wasted no more time throwing off the rest of their clothes, seeking comfort in the skin-to-skin contact before the sticky feeling of sweat and lust covered their bodies. Hermione was wet and waiting just from the foreplay alone, the consistency of her slick only making Draco's dick throb.
"Please," Hermione mewled. She was just as impatient as he was to be inside her.
Draco groaned against her mouth, leaving open-mouth kisses around her lips and jawline while he lined himself up with her center. He brushed the tip of his cock purposefully against her folds, causing Hermione to gasp in delight before settling himself into her core.
Fucking finally!
Hermione's thighs tightened around his waist, her heels digging into Draco's back to pull him closer while her arms came up to run her fingers along his neck and scalp. For a moment, they were locked in time, simply panting and staring at one another while silently asking, 'is this real?' The war had left many things shattered and uncertain, but laying on top of Hermione, her brown curls fanning around her like a halo and eyes dark with arousal… Draco knew this was unshakable.
"I love you," he whispered.
"If you love me, then move," Hermione demanded with a light tease. She lifted her hips, rolling them so that a wave of pleasure shot up and through Draco's spine.
"You wicked witch," he growled before reclaiming her mouth. His thrusts began to pick up, moving harder and faster with the pace Hermione had set. Her moans and gasps kept increasing, sounds that were only meant for his ears alone to experience. In no time, they both were finding their pleasure, his come spilling inside her while she quaked around him. A wave of exhaustion soon followed, Draco only having enough strength to roll Hermione and him to their sides. The movement caused his softening cock to pull out of her, leaving a rush down her thigh that she wandlessly vanished away.
"That's a neat trick," he chuckled.
She answered him with a peck on his cheek. "I didn't want to leave the bed."
Draco pulled her closer. He tucked her head under his chin and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as he felt his eyelids become heavy with sleep. Within minutes their breathing evened out, and Hermione and Draco fell asleep. The last thing he heard before the blackness overtook him was Hermione breathing against his chest, "I love you, Draco."
As always, the first few weeks of classes were slowly starting to pick up as the reality that the seventh and eighth year students would be preparing for their N.E.W.T. examinations scheduled at the end of May. McGonagall had given her Advanced Transfiguration students the lecture of a lifetime on how important it was to spend all year studying and revising instead of waiting until after Yule break. Hermione's planner was already overstuffed with highlights and tabs, her rigorous schedule leaving little room for socialization.
"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed when she saw the monstrosity. "Did you schedule each breath you're going to take as well?"
The Gryffindor looked up from her warm oatmeal and simply blinked at the redhead. "No…"
"Oh, my love," Draco tutted while rubbing soothing circles on her back. "You do know you need to take some time to rest. Not every second needs to be spent studying."
"I've marked breaks. See," Hermione said defensively. She pointed her spoon toward a few spots on the timetable she had drawn out for her day.
Draco kissed her temple in a silent apology. "I just worry and don't want you overworking yourself. You know that you are absolutely brilliant and probably already know most of what is on the exams."
She tilted her head into his touch, sighing. "I'm fine, Draco. I promise I won't overdo it."
"And if you do, and we both know at some point you will-" he rubbed his nose against her curls, a soft and breathless laugh tickling her skin- "then I'll be right there to pull you back. Make sure you eat and rest."
Hermione hummed, a content smile gracing her lips. "Thank you." She raised her chin and pecked his jaw. "I love you."
"Ah! You two are so gross!" Ginny gagged.
"Don't you know as Head Boy and Head Girl, you need to set an example? Have some decorum!" Seamus chimed in.
Draco and Hermione blushed and moved apart before muttering apologies to their friends. It was so easy for them to get lost in each other.
"Is this what the entire year is going to be like?" Parvati asked.
"Do you even need to ask that?" Neville teased. "They've been like this forever."
"It's worse than before," Parvati insisted. She waved a fork toward Hermione's left hand. "They're getting married, which means we'll catch them in these little intimate moments all year."
"Make sure y'all knock on the broom cupboards before you enter 'em," Seamus mocked playfully before he winked at Draco.
"Alright, that's enough commentary on our love lives," Hermione bemoaned. "And just so you know, Draco and I are completely professional. We take our Head duties very seriously."
"Oh, I'm sure you do," Lavender snickered, waggling her eyebrows suggestively at them. The joke incited pearls of laughter to trickle down the table, which only caused Hermione to blush more and duck her head into Draco's side.
"Very clever," the blond conceded while comforting his fiancée. "Come on, you lot, don't you all have classes you need to get to."
"Free period this morning," Dean said.
"Same," Seamus added.
Parvati picked up another roll from the center of the table and brought it to her mouth. "Oh, don't be like that! We're just having a bit of fun."
"Right, well, I've got Arithmancy first thing," Hermione said, standing up from the table. She quickly packed her planner into her bag before giving Draco a kiss on the forehead. He had dropped the class along with Divination to resume his internship with Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing.
"I'll see you later, love," Draco replied. He watched her with a mixture of concern and adoration as she strolled out of the Hall.
"Oh, mate. You got it bad," Neville clucked his tongue. "You need a guys' night."
Draco raised his eyebrow at the Gryffindor males. "A what?"
"A stag night," Seams said. "You know, away from your lady with just the boys. You're too smitten with Hermione and need some help."
Draco playfully rolled his eyes. "I am not too smitten with my witch."
"We could go to the Three Broomsticks this Friday!" Dean suggested. "Or the Hog's Head."
"Draco's heart eyes aside, that actually sounds fun! And as eighth years, we do have permission to leave the grounds after hours," Neville reminded them.
The four of them simultaneously got up from the table, preparing to leave for their respective classes, when Draco raised his hand in mock surrender. "Alright, I'll go if it means you stop trying to describe me being hit with Cupid's love arrow."
The boys laughed, but Lavender cut in shrilly, "You can't go this Friday! It's Hermione's birthday!"
Draco's face dropped, his heart pounding in his chest for a moment before he relaxed. "No, it's Saturday."
Lavender rolled her eyes. "It's on a weekend. You should be spending the entire weekend with your fiancée. Spoiling her. Ravishing her-"
"-Please never say that again in my presence," Draco begged.
"The point being, even you can't be that thick. You need to make this weekend special for Hermione."
"I'm already aware, and plans are in motion," Draco said. He pushed himself to move faster up the stairs toward the Hospital Wing when he realized Lavender was following him.
"What are you going to do?"
"None of your business, Lav," Draco retorted.
"At least tell me it's romantic," Lavender whined. "Hermione deserves…"
"Oi! You know very well that I dote on Hermione every chance I get." Draco leveled her with a skeptical glare. "What is the matter with you? It's almost like you're fishing for… oh!"
"What?" Lavender squeaked.
"I see what's going on here," Draco smirked. "Hermione sent you to find out what I'm doing for her birthday. Well, you can report that it is to remain a surprise, and she will just have to wait until Saturday."
Lavender crossed her arms and raised her head indignantly. "Well, it was worth a try. Was I even remotely close to getting you to reveal your plan?"
Draco laughed and shook his head. "No, not even close."
There was something to be admired about Hogwarts late at night on an autumn weekend. The night sky and minimal light from the stars shrouded the ancient building in an air of mystery. Fire from the magical torches cast dancing shadows along Draco's walk back to the Head dorm. He had, in fact, gone out with Seamus, Dean, and Neville for the semi-impromptu stag night the Gryffindors insisted needed to happen. The four ended up at the Three Broomsticks before migrating to the Hog's Head until Aberforth kicked them out.
"Get back to your beds before you get into trouble," the old wizard grunted at them before slamming the bar's door in their face.
After that, the boys called it a night and stumbled back to Gryffindor Tower. Draco made sure that Neville, Dean, and Seamus could get inside (though The Fat Lady certainly had an ear full to say regarding their reckless behavior) before he moved off to his own dorm. Draco didn't think he was that intoxicated, though he was undoubtedly buzzed enough that the colors in the knight's portrait were swirling in his vision.
"Fun night, I see," the portrait jibed, a glint of mischief in his eye.
"You could say that. Carpe Diem," Draco slurred out.
The knight chuckled and slowly swung open to reveal the portrait hole. "Bed her well, lad," the painting teased before slamming shut with a THUD.
Draco rolled his eyes and surveyed the room before him. Unfortunately, the living room and kitchenette were empty, with only a short lamp left on to guide his way around the small space. Slowly, Draco made his way up the tiny spiral staircase and found Hermione asleep in their bed. She looked so beautiful and peaceful under the covers that it was almost a shame to wake her.
Almost.
With a Cheshire-like-cat grin, Draco pulled back the corner of the duvet and crawled along the mattress until he reached her hips. She wore a thin pair of white silk pajama shorts with a matching tank top that did nothing to conceal the pebbling nipples hiding under the fabric. He hooked two fingers inside her waistband and carefully pulled down the lightweight material.
Hermione moaned, her consciousness starting to rouse as he lowered his head and latched his mouth around her clit. "Draco?" she mumbled out, her voice still thick with sleep.
"Shh, my love. Let me enjoy you," Draco said before descending back into her cunt. He picked up his pace, sucking harder and pushing two fingers past her folds, curling them to hit the spot inside her that he knew would speed up her orgasm.
"Oh!" Hermione gasped, her back arching off the bed and hands coming to grip the sheets.
"That's it, love. Let go."
Hermione's hips buckled until he felt her spasm around his fingers. She let out a low, deep, grunted moan as her eyes flashed open. Draco continued to kiss and pluck at her bud until he felt her crash back onto the mattress with a heavy PLOP. When he pulled away, he found she had a beautiful, sated smile matching his drunk, sleepy grin.
She giggled, reaching out to cup his cheek. "What was that for?"
Draco leaned into her touch, his tongue darting out to lick the sheen of arousal off her palm that had transferred from his chin. "Just because."
Hermione hummed, guiding his face forward so that she could peck his lips. They quickly turned into a slow, heated dance, allowing her to skid her tongue inside and taste herself on her fiancé. "If going out with the boys incites this, then you should do it more often," she breathed against his lips.
Draco laughed. "It's not the boys. Just you, my love."
Hermione could feel his cock hardening against her stomach, causing a short mewl to leave her mouth involuntarily. "Let me return the favor."
"I…"
Draco's protest died on his lips as she hooked her leg around his hip and expertly flipped their positions so that Draco was lying under her.
"Good Godric, witch! That was hot!"
Hermione laughed as she slithered down his torso, her eyes dark with lust as she began unbuckling his belt. She looked up, not breaking eye contact with Draco while her hands expertly undid his trousers and pulled his cock free.
"Merlin's beard," Draco swore, his breath coming fast with anticipation as Hermione lowered her head and hollowed her cheeks.
"Not Merlin or Godric," she taunted before licking along his length.
Draco shuddered, his body instantly responding to how Hermione's mouth felt around his cock. She twirled her tongue around the tip, head bobbing up and down while her fingers stroked at his balls. He wasn't going to last long if she kept this up.
"Her… Hermione," Draco moaned, his fingers reaching to tug and card through her bouncing curls. "Hermione!"
He felt her fingernails bite into his hips, forcing him to keep himself against her while she picked up her pace and squeezed harder. Waves of pleasure were already coursing through Draco, building to the crescent of his orgasm he knew would explode at any moment.
"Hermione!"
There was minimal warning as Draco spilled inside her mouth, down her throat. She swallowed every last drop, and not one trail of come leaked out the side of her lips. Eventually, Draco's cock softened, and Hermione pulled off it with a wet POP. She helped him remove the rest of his clothes before she rewound herself up so she could curl against him like a koala bear.
"That was," he trailed off.
"Amazing," Hermione finished for him. She kissed the side of his neck, exhaustion soon coming to take them once more. "Thank you for the birthday present."
Draco chuckled. "That was not your birthday present."
"Oh?" Hermione twisted so that she was a little bit more on her side. Her fingers began tracing circles along his chest. "I just assumed…."
"Love," Draco admonished. "Of course, we will spend all, well almost all, of tomorrow evening not leaving the bed. I did get you something other than sex."
He could feel her vibrate with excitement. "What is it?"
Draco kissed her temple, debating whether or not he should tell her his secret surprise that he obtained from McGonagall and the Ministry. He instantly caved as soon as she looked up at him with those pleading, caramel eyes.
"I got us a Portkey to Paris for the day," Draco revealed.
Hermione instantly shot up. "What?"
"We're going to see the new Monet exhibit at the Musee d'Orsay, and then I thought we could just walk around and see sights or go to bookstores and cafes while you read…."
He was caught off by an attack of her mouth, kissing him furiously. "That's Draco… I… I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything, love," Draco said, wiping a tear off her cheek. "Although, I hope you don't mind me taking you out for dinner."
"I'm guessing it's not street food and gelato from a cart?" she joked.
"No, it's a place in Wizarding Paris that my mother recommended," Draco said. He moved a curl back behind her ear, his eyes dropping as a frown now adorned his features. "When… when we declared Lucius dead, the estate and the Malfoy fortune passed on to me. Over the summer, when I was not with you, I was helping mother transfer all the Gringotts' accounts and went through business paperwork left behind in the Manor. All the holdings, the assets, the gold… it belongs to me. To us, once we marry. We have more than Godric to do with as we please."
Hermione gave him a contemplative look before eventually saying, "If that's the case, I would like to give a lot of it away. There are so many people that could use some galleons, especially now after the war."
Draco nodded. "I was thinking the same thing."
She smiled at him. "You're a good man, Draco Malfoy. It is an honor that soon I'll get to call you my husband."
He teared up a bit at that, bringing her face close so that he could kiss her deeply in gratitude. "It is I who should be honored that you would choose to marry me. To spend the rest of your life shackled to me and my name. Despite my actions, all my family has ever done is cause harm. Sometimes I wonder if that's all it will ever be associated with."
"You are not your family, Draco. You know that." She grabbed at the sides of his face, forcing Draco to look at her. "You are Draco Malfoy, but you are also my best friend. You are the love of my life. A wizard. Soon-to-be healer once you get accepted into a program. You wear many hats, but the one you do not have to continue to burden is your family's legacy." Hermione paused in her impassioned speech to kiss the tip of his nose. "We'll build a new legacy. Together."
Draco sighed in relief against her cheek, hope filling his chest as his heart threatened to burst out of its cage. How could it be possible that he could not love this woman any more than he already did?
"Together," he breathed.
DECEMBER 1998
Despite the good-natured mocking from most of their housemates, Draco and Hermione rarely found time to sneak away to be intimate together. Their schedules were so busy and left them exhausted that they only had time for the occasional shag in their bed at night. Even though she had promised at the beginning of term she wouldn't overdo it, Draco knew Hermione was running herself ragged between Head Girl duties, wedding planning, and revisions.
Thankfully, his mother and Kathryn had taken on the bulk of the responsibility for wedding preparations. Their letters came daily with questions regarding arrangements, guests, and other details that needed to be ironed out before the August ceremony and the subsequent muggle reception a week after their honeymoon. Draco and Hermione had made it abundantly clear in their replies that they intended to have a destination wedding in Egypt like they dreamed in fifth year and that the rest could be left up to their parents' discretion. Draco honestly couldn't care less about frivolous things such as the theme or napkins, not when the most crucial thing was Hermione walking down the aisle prepared to make her magical vow. Kathryn and Narcissa had taken the instruction like moths to a flame, both determined to make both the wedding and the reception nights that would be unforgettable.
Draco would often find Hermione in the library, wand in a messy bun as she scribbled through parchments and read through texts until her eyes were glassing over from exhaustion. One night after Quidditch practice, he had come back to find her asleep on the couch, her Transfiguration book sprawled over her chest and quill dangling from her limp fingertips. He didn't say anything and carefully carried her to bed before showering and dressing to turn in for the night.
"Love, you're on the verge of burning yourself out. You need to take more than a five-minute break and rest," Draco implored. They were only a few weeks out from the Yule holiday, and he was very much looking forward to getting on the train with her to her parent's home in Hampstead. He had written to his mother, who had been staying with Andromeda since the end of the war, of his intention to be with his fiancée's family, but that she was more than welcome to visit anytime she pleased. He likewise wondered about her plans for the holiday and inquired as much in that same letter. Narcissa had yet to reply, which he hoped only meant that the Tonks family simply didn't know where they were spending Yule or with whom. Hermione acknowledged his question eventually, refusing to look up from her notes.
"Hmm… oh, I'm fine. I had some cheese and crackers not that long ago."
"That's not what I said," Draco retorted. He plopped down on the couch next to her and pulled the parchment out of her hand.
"Hey! I was reading that!"
"I know. And now you are going to take a break and follow me for a much-needed surprise," he insisted, a heated look in his eyes as he waggled his eyebrows. "For both of us."
Hermione bit her bottom lip, rolling it back and forth between her teeth as she contemplated what to say. "But I…"
"Much. Needed." Draco enunciated before taking her hand in his. "Come along, now."
Hermione huffed. "I'm not a child."
Despite her initial protest, Hermione followed Draco out the door and down the corridors until they stood at the entrance to the Prefect's bathroom on the fifth floor. Draco recited the password and guided her inside, where a freshly hot bath was already drawn.
"Oh, Draco!" Hermione gasped. She looked at him with wide, surprised eyes. "Did you do this?"
Candles were lit along the edge of the deep tub, which was already steaming and filled with purple bubbles. The last rays of sunlight from the cold, highland day filtered in and made the luminescent water sparkle like stars. Hermione sniffed the air, the comforting scent of lavender and vanilla permeating the air, filling out the peaceful yet romantic atmosphere.
Draco pulled her into a soft embrace, wrapping his arms around her while his fingers trailed under the hem of her sweater. "I warded the room so that we wouldn't be disturbed. We have the whole place to ourselves for the next two hours."
Hermione nuzzled her face into his chest, humming in contentment. "Is that so?" She flashed him a coy smile. "Then we shouldn't let the hot water go to waste."
Draco growled, pulling her button-up shirt out of her skirt and descending on her mouth. They clawed at each other like animals, ripping buttons and fabric away until every last piece was freed from their bodies. Draco was flushed, his heart pounding and cock hardening with need before they even reached the water's edge. He pulled himself out of his lust-filled haze enough to back Hermione gently down the steps. Each step guided her further into the deeper end of the pool where he knew a stone bench was waiting under the warm water.
As if she read his mind, Hermione pushed Draco down on the bench, his back hitting the edge of the tub while she crawled over his lap. Her mouth formed a salacious smile as she advanced under the water's edge and gripped his cock in her hand. She pumped him a few times before leading the tip past her folds and sinking deeply until he was sheathed entirely inside her.
"Oh, Godric, Hermione!" Draco moaned. He gripped the back of her neck, forcing her mouth back onto his as he attacked her lips. Too long. They had gone too long without being able to feel one another fully. She met each nip and pull of her hair with equal vigor, all while her hips started to circle and bounce on his dick. "That's it, love. Take what you want."
"You…." Hermione groaned, her movements picking up and becoming more erratic as he felt her clench around him. She was close. So… so… close…
Draco dragged his hands off her hip, his fingertips gliding up her torso until he found his destination. With firm pressure, he squeezed her breasts, thumb and index finger rolling her nipple over the calloused skin just the way he knew would make her breath catch as she continued to increase her pace.
"I… Draco… I…" She shattered around him, her breasts rubbing against his chest as she collapsed against him. Water spilled out the side of the tub while her arms came around his shoulders to hold him close and continue riding out the remains of her orgasm. Draco followed shortly after, spilling deep inside her. He moaned against her half-damp curls, savoring how she felt around him as pleasure and bliss shot through every nerve in his body.
Too long. They had gone too long without this. Never again.
Their breaths began to mingle as they held one another in the charmed, warm water, savoring the afterglow of being together. Eventually, Draco felt his cock soften and pulled out of Hermione so that he could maneuver them into a more comfortable position without compromising their proximity.
"Thank you, Draco. I love you," Hermione whispered against his skin before placing trails of kisses along his collarbone.
Draco was tracing his fingers up and down Hermione's spine, his eyes slowly opening to the dimmed bathroom illuminated by only the romantic glow of the candles. The stained-glass mermaid across the room combed her fingers through her hair, watching the young couple with a coquettish expression.
"We needed this," Hermione added. She looked at him with wide, content eyes.
He leaned forward and kissed the side of her temple. "We did."
"Do you think… we have time…" Hermione trailed off, her cheeks blushing as she bit her bottom lip. "I very much would like to suck you off in the shower if you would let me."
"Love, you can have me anyway and anytime you want," Draco proclaimed.
Hermione grinned. "Then, when you can move your legs again, I want you under that spray and your hands in my hair."
"Yes, my witch," Draco growled against her lips before he claimed them once more.
The one task Hermione needed to accomplish over their long Christmas break was finding a wedding dress. She had been purposefully ignoring her mother's and Narcissa's owls regarding the subject, too consumed with her studies. It wasn't that she didn't care about what she wore down that aisle. True, every girl has some vision or dream of walking as a vision (maybe in white) to their future spouse. To Hermione, there were just more important things that required her attention than purchasing her wedding dress.
"No more procrastination, Hermione Jean," her mother chided as soon as Hermione and Draco stepped over the threshold to her parents' home. They had officially moved back to Hampstead at the beginning of the month, saying goodbye permanently to the Land Down Under. They would spend most of the beginning of the year re-establishing their practice and settling back into life in England.
"Mother." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Can we at least send our trunks up to our room first? It's been a long day."
"I'll take care of it," Draco offered. It was apparently the wrong thing to say because Hermione shot him a weathering glare as her mother dragged her into the living room for tea and to pour over bridal magazines.
The blond winced slightly before levitating their trunks and escaping upstairs to unpack their belongings.
"Now, I've got Vera Wang over her and, oh, just look at this ball gown! You could look like Princess Di in that one," Kathryn exclaimed.
Hermione had to fight back the urge to physically vomit at the abomination of fabric and rhinestones. For the next hour and a half, her mother shoved pictures upon pictures in her face, urging Hermione to express an opinion on what she wanted to wear.
"Do you like lace? "
"Or perhaps satin?"
"No, that will be too hot for the climate."
"How about this neckline! It's trendy right now."
It wasn't until her father came home that Kathryn relented and allowed Hermione to get a break. She sank back against the couch, completely overwhelmed by the options before her. Who knew there were so many shades of white when they all looked the same to her eyes? And then there were the off-whites or the blush undertones that she could have custom-made to her gown if she so desired.
Too many options. Too many decisions.
She felt fatigued, desperate to close her eyes and curl into a ball on her bed. Then, she felt someone take her hand. Hermione tilted her head to the side to find Draco sitting next to her, a look of concern on his face. "Are you alright, Love?"
"No," she answered honestly. She didn't need to elaborate as Draco pulled her against his side. He wrapped his arms around her and just allowed her to breathe in his essence. Her body began to relax as she put the endless sea of dresses out of her mind and sunk deeper against his chest.
"Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes," Richard informed them. He eyed his daughter and future son-in-law curiously when Draco acknowledged him. "Rough day?" Richard asked.
Hermione groaned. Draco inclined his head to the coffee table next to the couch where all the binders, fabric samples, and various designer magazines were spread out. It looked like a minefield had invaded the living room, leaving no surface untouched.
Richard gave Draco a solitary nod before flashing a look that indicated he had no desire to get involved with whatever his wife was organizing for the wedding.
"Alright, it's on the table!" Kathryn called out.
Dinner was a mostly peaceful affair, everyone sharing what they had done that day in between bites of the delicious casserole that Kathryn slayed over the oven for. That was until dessert came around, and wedding preparations were brought up again.
"Now, I have six different appointments booked-"
"Six!" Hermione choked. "Mother! That is… not necessary. Why do I need to go to six different salons to find a gown?"
"Because we need to ensure you have a proper experience and find the right gown. You can't just wear any piece of fabric on your wedding day!" Kathryn insisted.
Hermione heaved out a breath, looking at her mother with disbelief.
"We start tomorrow at one in central London and then will work our way out from there," Kathryn continued, either unaware of her daughter's distress or choosing to ignore it. Draco silently snuck his hand under the table and squeezed Hermione's hand. She gripped his back tighter than a Fire Crab with its dinner caught in its ironclad pinchers.
"Okay," Hermione conceded, though she didn't look happy.
Hermione felt positively sick to her stomach as her mother pulled into the garage near the first of six wedding dress shops she had booked over her winter break. The Gryffindor still couldn't get her head wrapped around the fact that her mother insisted she needed to attend every single appointment and try on multiple gowns that were clearly not to her taste.
"Now, keep in mind, this is just our first place. After our appointment, we'll get something to eat. Then we'll make our way to the second shop this afternoon," her mother informed her.
Hermione only had the energy to nod her head as she got out of the car and followed her mother down the street. Narcissa, Ginny, Luna, Lavender, and Parvati were all waiting for them when they entered the first shop. She valued each of their opinions, but above all, their fashion advice.
Maybe we can just go with the first gown and call it a day.
Her silent prayer went unanswered as she was taken to a changing room and thrust into what she deemed a cupcake monstrosity.
"Oh, Hermione! You look like a princess!" Kathryn gushed.
"Spectacular," Narcissa agreed. She held a handkerchief to her eyes and started to dab away the tears starting to form.
"As gorgeous as this dress is, Hermione, darling, you are drowning in it!" Lavender piped up.
"I have to agree. The dress is wearing you, not the other way around," Parvati added. Luna and Ginny nodded along.
"Next one, please!" Ginny called out.
Thankfully, the next few dresses were better than the first one, but they were not Hermione. And everyone certainly had an opinion they were not afraid to voice.
"Oh, that one is too plain!" Kathryn objected.
"No, no, no, that one won't do," Narcissa argued.
"Too many sparkles." Parvati dismissed
"It's simply not you!" Ginny said.
"The nargles will get caught in that beading," Luna commented.
When she was pulled into the seventh (and maybe final dress at this appointment, given the time they had left), Hermione felt like she couldn't breathe. Her chest was tight, and her palms were sweaty. Her neck felt flushed, and her eyes were glassing over as her magic started to thrum under her skin.
Oh no. This can't be happening now.
"Ma'am? Are you alright?" the associate asked.
"Can… you… give me… a minute…." Hermione stuttered out. She plopped down into the chair, ignoring the frightened associate.
Her wand. She needed her wand.
"I don't know if I should…."
"Please!" Hermione ordered.
Reluctantly, the sales associate exited the room, closing the door behind her with a promise to get Hermione some water and check in on her in five minutes. As soon as the lady was gone, Hermione pulled out her wand from her beaded bag and tried to steady herself. She thought of many happy memories.
Getting her first library card.
Receiving her Hogwarts letter and learning she was a witch.
The rush of magic as she performed her first spell.
Meeting Draco on the Hogwarts Express.
Laughing with Harry, Ron, and Draco.
Earning full marks year after year.
Kissing Draco, his lips caressing her skin endlessly.
Draco squeezing her wrists and holding her hand.
Draco… Draco… Draco…
"Expecto Patronum!"
The silver otter appeared before her, floating at attention.
"Find Draco… tell him… to come… Pronovias London…"
The otter bowed before disappearing in a wisp to deliver the message. She just needed to hold off long enough for Draco to show up. He could help her. He would know what to do. For the longest time, Hermione had known her triggers and could manage her panic attacks just fine with only occasional assistance from Draco when she had a super bad one. The war had made those types of attacks more frequent, which required her to relearn specific triggers and coping mechanisms these past six months now that she wasn't constantly in survival mode.
A few moments later, the associate knocked again, giving Hermione a bottle of water. "Your fiancé would like to see you, ma'am, that is if you are okay with that."
Hermione could only manage a weak "yes," before the associate scurried off to find Draco. He was there instantly, shutting the door and pulling her into his war embrace. Hermione burst into tears as soon as he guided her through the breathing exercises while touching her pulse points on her wrists.
"It's okay," he chanted over and over. "You're safe."
When her sobbing subsided, Hermione took the tissue Draco handed her and blew her nose. He took the pad of his thumb and cleared the tears from her eyes, removing the glassy sheen from her face.
"Thank you," she whispered shakily. Draco handed her the water bottle, which she drank from greedily. "That was a bad one."
"I'll say," Draco agreed. "Do you want me to take you home?"
Hermione bit her bottom lip, the offer entirely tempting. She felt exhausted and wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed with Draco's arms wrapped around her, but at the same time, she had a group of people out there waiting on her, people she did not want to disappoint.
"I'll explain everything to your mother and side Apparate you back home," Draco said. He tucked a curl behind her ear. "You shouldn't push yourself too far and rest. That's what the healer said."
"Maybe…" Her fingers came down to bunch in the fabric of the overflowing tule skirt.
"You look beautiful. Don't tell me I ruined the surprise, and this is the gown you chose?" Draco asked with a soft smile.
Hermione raised her head to meet his loving gaze, a small giggle escaping. "No, don't worry. No bad luck cultivated here."
Draco sighed in relief. "Oh good, because that thing is hideous."
They both howled at the comment, finding and holding on to the joy they had managed to create out of a moment when Hermione was drowning in her own despair. Eventually, Hermione motioned for Draco to explain what had happened to the rest of the party while the associate got her out of the dress. She thanked the worker and exited the room to find all the girls staring at her with concern. Draco instantly took her hand in his and waved them all goodbye before anyone could comment on how pale and worn-down Hermione looked.
True to his word, they Apparated back to Hampstead, and Hermione spent the remainder of the afternoon curled into Draco's side, napping while he read a book. When dinner came around, Kathryn was apologetic and promised to cancel all the appointments.
"I just… I didn't realize how overwhelmed you were. I'm so sorry, pumpkin girl," Kathryn said.
"It's okay, mum. And you don't need to cancel all of the appointments. Maybe keep like one more? I do need a dress," Hermione compromised.
Ultimately, she went to a smaller, more local shop with dresses tailored more to Hermione's sense of style. She settled on a simple but elegant V-neck satin A-line tea-length gown with a roused waist and three-quarter-length sleeves. There were no lace, jewels, or other frills that her mother had desired, but Hermione didn't care. In her eyes, she looked like the most beautiful witch on the planet.
Draco is going to love me in this.
More importantly, he was going to love taking this off of her.
FEBRUARY 1999
Yule and New Year's had been a wonderful break for Draco and Hermione once they overcame the initial panic attack. They had managed to relax and were not too overwhelmed by their families and friends. Narcissa and Kathryn kept wedding planning to a minimum after they purchased Hermione's wedding gown, which helped not to stress the young couple out while they prepared for the blood grueling studying that awaited them in the months to come.
He immediately ordered Gringotts to transfer the gold necessary to pay for the private cruise and hotel rooms they would be staying at after the fact. He also gave Narcissa charging privileges on the venue to add to the wedding as necessary.
"Nothing too extravagant, Mother. Please," Draco had begged. "We don't need a parade of rare and exotic peacocks to flare their wings and reveal Hermione.
"Oh, but think of the drama, Draco! It would be such a stunning entrance…."
"Simple, Mother. Getting married on the Nile and being able to cruise along to see the sights is drama enough for us. Everything else you planned is perfect," he said.
"Oh," Narcissa huffed. "Very well." She gave him a tearful look before cupping the side of his face. "I just can't believe my only son is getting married."
"I can't either some days," Draco admitted.
Now, back at Hogwarts, their studying and revisions increased tenfold, adding to the pressures many of the seventh and eighth year students now had to get serious about. What were they going to do after graduation?
Many were applying for jobs or internships in various fields, private businesses, or with the Ministry. Some were pursuing more education by obtaining Masteries at wizarding universities or specialized institutions. A few were contemplating attending muggle universities to find jobs in the muggle world.
Draco and Hermione applied to the same schools, having their applications sent out by the end of January for contingent acceptances. Their top choice was the Alexandria Institute in Egypt. It was highly prestigious and known to have the oldest magical library in the world. Draco had secretly contacted a realtor to find homes or luxury apartments near the campus for them to buy, but he didn't want to jinx it and did, in fact, want Hermione's input on where they were to live for the next three years. Their second choice was Uganda and then America if all else failed.
With the impending future creeping upon them, Hermione's anxiety fluctuated between her scores and their admission decisions.
"What if we don't get into the same school?" Hermione whispered one day as they were sitting in a private annex of the Restricted Section. Over the years, Draco and Hermione had cultivated enough goodwill with Madam Pince to be trusted unsupervised in the most secluded parts of the Library.
"We will," Draco assured her, not looking up from his Transfiguration notes.
"But…" Hermione trailed off, getting up from her chair to put away the textbook she was reading. She scanned the shelf, looking for the spot she retrieved it from before carefully sliding it back into its home. "I've been doing some reading about the Alexandria Institute. Their admissions process is highly selective and extremely scrutinizing. I can't help but think…."
"Think what, love?" Draco whispered huskily in her ear.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as Draco's breath tickled her neck, his fingers ghosting along the sides of her body. "It's just…."
"Say it, love," Draco demanded, his arms now caging her against the bookshelf. She couldn't help but lean her body back into his chest, her head resting on his shoulder and leaning into the crook of Draco's neck.
"Sometimes I think about what Umbridge said to me in fifth year. That I would never get into that school because of my blood."
Draco was silent for several moments, his body stiffening and arms not moving as he searched for the words to say. Without warning, he tucked his fingers under Hermione's chin and tilted her head up so that her eyes were forced to look into his. Her mouth parted open as she found a look of pure adoration on his face.
"You are Hermione Jean Granger, the Brightest Witch of Her Age and the most talented witch the world has ever seen," he said vehemently. The intensity of his words caused an embarrassed blush to grace the top of her cheeks.
"Any school should be privileged that you would even consider walking their halls, gracing their institution with your presence, skill, and knowledge." He perforated this with a kiss on the top of her head. "Umbridge is nothing, not even the dirt under the soles of your flats. You are everything, and good Godric, Hermione, you will change the damn world."
She spun in his arms, pulling his face down and kissing him soundly. When Hermione pulled back, she breathed against his lips, "We're going to change the damn world. Together."
Draco groaned against her mouth, pushing her back against the bookshelf and hoisting her up, so her legs wrapped around his waist. He ground against her core, his cock hardening and desperate to be inside her.
"Need you, Draco. Now," she begged while her hand came down to try and slide her knickers off.
With one hand, Draco undid his belt and zipper, freeing his cock and sheathing himself inside her. Hermione gasped at how fast and hard the movement was. There was no time for foreplay. They had to be quick and quiet to avoid getting caught.
Hermione's hips met him with each hard thrust, their combined arousal building at a punishing pace until the crest broke. It was unexpected, fast, and a rush neither had felt before. Maybe it was from the adrenaline of having sex in such a public place? Or the anticipation that they might or might not be caught in such a scandalous and compromising position? Either way, it was one of the more explosive orgasms that Draco or Hermione had ever had, which is why she whimpered when Draco pulled out of her and gently set her back on the ground.
He left pecks on her lips which morphed into slower, more sensual kisses as he tucked himself back into his trousers.
"So much for our track record," she teased when they finally broke apart.
"What Pince doesn't know won't hurt her," Draco insisted. His comment was rewarded with a book flying off the opposite bookshelf and hitting him in the back of the head.
APRIL 1999
"And here are the new rounds for the month. Draco and I tried to be as accommodating as possible, given that exams are less than two months away and that Quidditch Finals are on the horizon. As a reminder, if you have a conflict, please come talk to one of us, and we will find someone to switch or cover your shift," Hermione informed the Prefects.
"Alright, everyone is free to go," Draco dismissed everyone. He helped Hermione hand out the monthly schedule until everyone was out of the small office that the Head Boy and Head Girl were permitted to use at their leisure. It was mainly used as the space they held their monthly meetings, but the room could be utilized for other things like a personal study or sanctuary.
It could be private and secluded. Precisely what Draco needed for what he had in mind to do with Hermione tonight after the meeting. She was just so damn sexy when she took command of a room, handing out orders like the lioness in charge of the pride she was born to be.
"I think that went well… oh…." Hermione moaned as she felt Draco's hands circle her waist. He gently pressed her thighs against the edge of the desk, her body naturally inclined to tilt forward.
After analyzing and realizing they didn't mind the semi-public sex back in February in the library, Draco and Hermione started carving out and making their sex life more of a priority. Not that they weren't celibate by any means, but sex was the best stress reliever from their duties and study schedules. Hermione and Draco had talked about expanding into more role-playing scenarios, wanting to explore more of their sexual desires and kinks with one another.
"Tell me, Miss Granger. Would you like me to take you from behind… over this desk? Right here, right now," Draco hissed lowly in her ear.
Hermione could only respond with a low groan of her own, her body automatically coming down on her forearms as she jutted her ass out.
"Use your words, love," Draco teased, his hands clawing down her back until they found the underside of her ass cheeks.
"Yes, please!" she shrieked. Her core positively vibrated with need and desire as Draco hooked his fingers into her knickers and pushed them aside. This was one of her fantasies that had made the top of her list, which she practically begged Draco to do to her at some point before they graduated. She didn't care which desk or which classroom, so long as she had Draco's cock pounding into her at a relentless and crucible pace.
Draco chuckled. "Since you asked so nicely."
She gasped as his fingers started to stroke her folds, the tips pressing firmly and circling her bed in the perfect combination that made her empty core clench.
"More," Hermione moaned.
"Greedy," Draco retorted playfully. He pressed harder, knowing that was not the 'more' she was searching for.
Hermione shuddered at his touch, her arousal building and pleasure climbing toward the peak she knew Draco was attempting to edge her to. He would get her just on the brink of her orgasm, just like she asked for, and then he would pull back, denying her the completion she so desperately sought. She was practically panting at the thought alone when Draco suddenly ripped his fingers away from her core. Hermione whined at the loss. Her forehead was covered in a sheen of sweat, which caused her to shiver as she made contact with the cool surface of the wood.
"I think you're ready for me," Draco said. She quivered at the feel of his breath panting against her flushed skin. It only added to the anticipation of having his cock deep inside her.
"Please, Draco."
"Yes, my love. Yes," he answered while lining himself up. With one swift movement, Draco was inside her, deeper than she had ever experienced him.
"Oh, Godric! Yes! Draco!" She chanted, her folds fluttering around him and squeezing every inch she could reach.
Draco's thrusts increased tenfold, his hips slamming into her with a relentless pace that caused her thighs to hit the edge of the desk continuously. At that moment, she didn't care that she would have bruises the following morning, both from the desk and Draco's fingertips biting into her hips. In fact, Hermione smiled at the thought of his marks all over her body as she pictured what the evidence of their fucking would look like painted across her skin.
"Hermione… come, love… come…"
Draco's words were enough to push her over the edge, a loud long-drawn-out moan of ecstasy leaving her lips as he spilled inside her. She collapsed against the desk, Draco lying across her as they came down from the high. Hermione could feel his come dripping down her legs, leaving a sticky trail that made her squirm and smile blissfully. Thank Merlin for contraceptive potions because Hermione was confident she would have found herself pregnant after that encounter.
Eventually, Draco pulled out, and the two cleaned one another up. They had soft, euphoric expressions on their faces as they kissed slowly.
"How was that?" Draco asked in between his ministrations.
Hermione hummed. "Absolutely perfect."
"I wasn't too rough, was I?"
"No," Hermione shook her head. "No, it was wonderful, Draco."
He sighed in relief. Knowing that they could safely start delving into more roleplay meant that they would have to do more research, possibly even find a community they could learn how to properly scene from once they knew where they would attend their post-secondary education. Draco and Hermione had both received immediate acceptances from Uganda and America, but Alexandria was being tight-lipped, stating that they would go through a formal review process once the board received their official N.E.W.T. scores. It remained their number one choice, even if the lack of decision contributed to Hermione's anxiety on a near-daily basis. Draco didn't really care where they ended up as long as they were together.
JUNE 1999
The last bits of winter and spring had melted away, giving way to another mild summer in the Scottish Highlands. Exams were over, and finally… finally, Hermione and Draco could breathe. Their N.E.W.T. scores were sent off and are currently being graded. They had both received letters from the Alexandria Institute that their applications for admission were being reviewed and that they could expect a decision within the next two weeks. All the final details for the wedding had been confirmed, with the exception of the final fitting of Hermione's wedding dress. Everything else was minor and being handled by Kathryn and Narcissa.
In that moment, for Draco, life was good.
It was a clear sunny day, something that was very rare in England. They were sitting on their couch, holding one another and reading, when Draco caught some of the rays dancing off various surfaces in the kitchenette.
"Come on," Draco cajoled, taking Hermione's hand in his. He gently pulled her off the couch, causing her to close her book with one hand.
"Come where?" She teased.
Draco chuckled. "Not that… though later if you want."
"Yes," Hermione whispered against his lips. She managed to leave a quick peck on his lips before he pulled back.
"Ah, ah, ah! Don't distract me. Let's head outside for a bit," Draco suggested.
"Okay," Hermione smiled, allowing him to lead her out of the portrait hole. They made their way down the Grand Staircase, hand in hand until they were approaching the courtyard.
"I can't believe we only have a few more days here," Hermione said suddenly.
"Sometimes it feels like only yesterday we were boarding the Hogwarts Express for the first time," Draco recalled. He turned his head to her forehead, giving her a sweet kiss. "That it was only yesterday a bright and kind young witch entered my compartment and asked for help finding a toad for a friend."
"Merlin, to think that was how we met," Hermione giggled. "But it wasn't until you came to find me after Theo's comment that we really introduced ourselves."
"And then you fixed Harry's glasses," Draco recalled.
They slowly strolled through the courtyard, Hermione guiding Draco over to a wall so she could lean against the stone and look up at him. He pressed himself closer like they were magnets, unable to stay away from one another.
"And the rest, they say, is history," Hermione said. She leaned on her tiptoes, pulling on the back of his neck in a silent ask for a kiss. Draco happily obliged and claimed her mouth.
"I can't wait to marry you," he said against her lips while his hands came up under her thighs.
She used the leverage of the wall with the help of Draco's strength to hoist herself up and wrap her legs around his waist.
"Two months," she moaned against his mouth.
"Too far," He retorted playfully. Draco's hips started to grind against her clothed center, his cock hardening as he stirred friction between them.
"Draco…" Hermione moaned, her thrusts keeping up with the pace he was setting.
"Miss Granger! Mr. Malfoy!"
Hermione squeaked as Draco's grip loosened just enough that she slid down the wall but not enough that he dropped her. The Head Boy and Head Girl turned their heads, finding their Head of House and Hagrid watching them with mouths agape in a scandalized expression. Draco and Hermione untangled themselves silently, coming to stand at attention and a respectable distance away from one another as they faced their Professors.
"Sorry, Headmistress," Draco mumbled, ducking his head in shame.
"We got to talking about the wedding, and well…" Hermione trailed off, her own face flushed with embarrassment as she looked away from the stern and discerning eye of her Professor.
McGonagall tutted. "I expect you two to have a bit more self-control. You are role models and, as such, should be more responsible when it comes to your… liaisons. "
"Yes, Professor," Draco and Hermione said simultaneously.
The witch was quiet for a moment before she eventually shook her hand. "Now, it's a beautiful day, one I am sure you were just off to enjoy down by the Black Lake."
Taking the dismissal, Hermione and Draco interlaced their fingers and hurried off to their original destination. They didn't miss the booming laugh from Hagrid when he said, "Filius owns me five galleons."