Recap:

"You felt it?" He glared at her.

"I told you not to," he snarled.

"But you felt it!!" she insisted and he grabbed her roughly, straddling her.

"Nothing changes, Hermione," he snarled into her ear. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" she whispered into his ear and he turned to look at her. What was going on here? What were they doing? This wasn't supposed to happen, especially not with a mudblood.

"Are you up for another go, mudblood?"

Maria, one of the housemaids, looked up from setting out toast to see her young master, Draco, stumble into the kitchen, running his hands through his deep blonde hair. He was only wearing a pair of plaid drawstring cotton pants and he looked like he hadn't gotten much sleep. She smiled at him as he sat down at the island table.

"Goodmorning, sir," she greeted, glancing at the clock. It was about ten in the morning. "Did you sleep well?" He glared at her and started buttering a piece of toast, muttering to himself. Narcissa came in, a robe around her. She sat down across from her son and Maria brought her a cup of coffee.

"How was your night, Draco?" Narcissa asked, winking at Maria. Draco gave her a death glare also, but didn't respond. "You weren't rough with her, were you?" As if in response to the question, Hermione decided to show up. She stumbled down the stairs to the second landing and fell to her knees. She struggled to stand and only managed to tumble to the bottom of the stairs. Narcissa's eyes widened and she motioned Maria over. Maria helped Hermione to her feet but it was apparent that she couldn't really walk by herself. Her legs were wobbling as if made of jelly as Maria helped her into a seat next to Narcissa. Draco watched her in silent apprehension. Narcissa glared at him, rubbing her daughter-in-law's back comfortingly.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, what have you done to her?! I said easy!! EASY!!"

"She didn't seem to mind last night," Draco growled as Maria poured a cup of tea for Hermione. She was staring down at her plate, face red and tearstained. Draco eyed her for a second and then leaned over. She jumped and fell out of the chair. She tried to stand, but her legs were still too weak. Draco smiled and got up, helping her back into her chair. She looked up at him and he stared back. "I'm sure you didn't mind last night," he said again and she blushed, turning away to her tea. He sat back down, not saying anything more.

A house elf popped into the room. "Mr. Zambini to see you sir," it squeaked and Draco nodded. The door to the hall opened and Blaise strolled in. He caught sight of Draco and then Hermione and snickered. Sitting down next to Draco, he watched Hermione for a moment.

"You enjoyed it?" It wasn't really a question, as he already knew, but still. She blushed even more and rested her head on the counter. Blaise laughed and Draco nudged him.

"Not now, Blaise," he snapped, standing. "I'll meet you outside in five. Mother. Gran...Hermione."

Blaise waited down by the lake and sniggered when Draco appeared.

"You liked it didn't you?" He was rewarded with a death glare. "How good was it?" Another death glare made him laugh. "I don't believe it!! A mudblood actually-" Draco's wand was in his face and he sniggered.

"Finish the sentence," Draco grated through clenched teeth and Blaise shoved the wand away, still laughing. They had begun walking back up to the manor when Narcissa and Hermione showed up.

"Why don't you all go into London today?" Narcissa recommended. "I have things to do and so does your father. Take Hermione clothes shopping. She needs some new things, poor thing." Hermione was staring off into the distance and only came back to earth when Narcissa disappeared back into the house. Blaise glanced at Draco.

"Won't we be seen in London?" he asked and Draco shrugged, heading down to the garage house. Hermione followed and gasped when he opened the side door. The room was huge and stored cars from different decades and ones she didn't even know were on the market yet. Motorcycles were against the wall, shining from the sun.

Grabbing three helmets from a shelf, he tossed Blaise one and handed another to Hermione. He also handed her a black windbreaker. Her eyes widened.

"I don't ride, Malfoy," she told him and he laughed. Blaise got onto a dark green Harley, shrugging off his robes, under which he was wearing muggle clothing. Draco was also wearing muggle clothes. He put on the helmet, pushing up the visor. He got onto a black Harley with silver snakes etched into it.

"Get on, mudblood," he said and she glared at him.

"I'm not riding that thing." Blaise's laugh came from behind the dark visor.

"Well then, you can stay here," he said, his voice muffled. "But I don't think you want to be left alone with your in-laws." Draco smirked as Hermione grudgingly got on, putting on the helmet.

"I didn't think Malfoys were interested in muggle stuff." Draco turned back to her.

"Not everything muggles make is totally useless, mudblood. Take yourself for instance." She found herself blushing for about the millionth time that morning, pushing down her visor so that he couldn't see.

One of the garage doors opened and they shot out. Hermione hold on Draco's waist tightened as she pressed herself into his back. She felt his muscles tighten and then relax, but ignored it.

They had been going down a few roads before hitting a main street heading into London. Stopping at a traffic light, Hermione looked around and saw several children on the curb watching them with curiousity. Smiling to herself, she held on as the motorcycle shot forward. They entered London and rode around until finding a parking place. Getting off, Hermione took off the helmet, shaking her hair out of her face. Draco took Blaise's helmet and put them into a comparment under Hermione's seat. It was obviously magical, because all three helmets fit into the tiny space. Looking around, she saw that they were in front of a cafe. Turning back to Draco, she followed him and Blaise to a table outside.

They ordered soon after and Hermione looked around.

"London's not that interesting, Hermione," Draco said, leaning back in his chair. She eyed him critically.

"That's the second time you've said my name," she told him. Blaise snorted.

"When's the other time? Last ni-OW!!" He glared at his blonde friend, who was studying a pair of girls a few tables down. Hermione rolled her eyes. Even married, he was still a player. Blaise got up. "Excuse me, but business calls." He then headed over and sat with the two girls, who giggled and leaned towards him. Hermione stared down at her hands and realized for the first time that something was wrong.

"I don't have a ring," she told him, looking up. He glanced at her.

"So?"

"I'm supposed to have one, aren't I?"

"Do you want one?"

"No! I was just wondering..." They were silent and then Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out a chain. Attatched to it was a slim wedding band. He held it out to her.

"Wear it around your neck if you don't want it on your finger," he grumbled. She stared at it.

"Why didn't you give it to me last night?" He shrugged.

"Wasn't really thinking about that, now was I?" he growled, standing.

"Where are you going?"

"To powder my nose." She watched him disappear into the cafe and sighed, turning back to the chain. She put it around her neck and tucked it into her shirt.

"Excuse me, miss, but this is for you." A waiter placed a drink on the table. Hermione frowned.

"I didn't order this."

"Not you, ma'am. The three men over there sent if over for you." Hermione looked up to see three men several tables down glancing over.

"Thank you," she said and the waiter left. Looking down at the drink, she immediately recognized it as alcoholic.

"You don't mind that it's got alcohol in it, do you?" Hermione, startled, looked back up to see the three men standing there. She smiled wanly.

"I don't drink, but it's the thought that counts," she said and they sat down at her table.

"I'm Matthew, this is Greg and Collin," the tall, brown haired one said.

"I'm Hermione," she said. Am I flirting? I'm married! Yeah, to a lunatic...

"I guess you're here with those two guys," the one named Collin said. Hermione nodded. She noticed Blaise looking over.

"You dating one of them?" Matthew asked, scooting closer.

"Yes, so get the hell up." Hermione jumped and flushed at seeing Draco standing behind her, arms folded over his chest. Greg glared.

"I don't believe we were talking to you, you prat," he snapped. Draco stepped towards him.

"What the hell are you going to do about it? She's with us, so stay away from her."

"Or what?" Collin snarled. Hermoine lept to her feet.

"Stop it, all of you!" she cried. She turned apologetically to the three men. "I'm sorry, but I am with them." Draco raised an eyebrow, but she ignored him. The men grumbled something and stalked off down the street and out of sight. Hermione sat back down, glancing at Draco. He sat down, motioning for Blaise, who had been about to come over, to stay with the girls.

"What was that, mudblood?" he hissed. Hermione looked out on the street.

"Nothing." He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"It had better be the last nothing," he whispered dangerously, eyes cold as ice.