Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Hermione Granger knew that she would have to perform her wifely duties; it being their first night together, but she couldn't stop her mind from wandering to him.

She knew that his platinum hair and signature smirk would invade her dreams, but here he was, invading her reality as well.

Ron was a gentle and unsure lover. He asked permission before kissing her, caressing her. She just lay beneath him motionless, hoping that it would be over soon.

"Let's hope for lots of red-headed children," he said kissing her on the cheek.

She nodded silently.

With a final thrust, he spent himself inside her, and she faked her own orgasm. The red-head rolled himself off of her, and the sound of loud snores quickly filled the room.

Hermione Granger sobbed quietly into her pillow, wishing things hadn't ended up this way. Wishing that it was him instead. She remembered the way he would wrap his arms around her afterwards, protecting her from the evil in her nightmares.

He was her protector and with him she felt complete. They were two pieces of a puzzle, maybe just from different ones. It seemed that the universe was conspiring against them, going out of it's way to ensure they suffered. Perhaps for retribution of sins in a past life.

This life would be their atonement.

….

He was sitting by the lake admiring its beauty; A thin veil of fog lay over its surface.

"Malfoy?"

"Have a seat Granger; he patted a patch of dew covered grass beside him. "You know for a bookworm, you're not very conspicuous. I knew you were following me the minute I left my room."

She bit back a retort, realizing it was not a time to engage in a battle of wits with the cocky Slytheryn. She took a seat beside him, the wet grass making her cringe instantly.

"I have been doing some research."

"That's hardly a surprise," he smirked.

She shot him a glare, "This is for your benefit, not my own; so I suggest you keep your snotty comments to yourself."

The amusement suddenly left his face, a more somber expression taking over.

"Lift your sleeve."He slowly rolled the fabric back, exposing the violently blackened arm.

"I found a book on the mark in the restricted section."

She ran her thumb over the tattoed skull, sighing before she continued. "Malfoy you have an infection."

"And it cant be cured?"

"If you would let me finish."The Gryffindor was in a rather feisty mood.

"It can be cured."

"How?"

"With muggle blood."

He withdrew his arm with horror. "And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

Her response was guarded. "Muggle blood is known to counteract some black magic. Despite your notions, muggle blood is known for its purity and innocence. The concept of good overcomes evil."

He sat in silence for a moment, taking in the information, "And if I refuse?"

"Then you'll die. The infection is spreading as you can see. Soon it'll reach your organs and cause them to shut down."

"...Your blood is no different from my own. We all bleed red, Draco." His eyes shot up to meet her own at the mention of his name, but they were downcast studying blades of grass.

"Why are you doing this Granger?"

"I already told you."

"I don't believe you. Nobody goes this far out of their way to help somebody out of sense of duty. Why don't you just give up on me. Everyone else has."He smirked but it was forced.

"I would never give up on you. I know you're not evil, you just have your own obligations. Everybody does."

Hermione pulled his arm towards her own and extracted a small dagger. Before he could protest, the Griffyndor slit her arm, allowing the crimson liquid to flow onto his own. She clenched her eyes shut with the sharp sensation while he clenched his jaw. The blackness began to subside returning the pale palor to his skin. When it disappeared completely the Head Girl plucked the dagger from the grass stuffing it into her robes.

"Hermione.." She stopped in her tracks. "I'm so fucking sorry."

The Head Girl nodded before trudging on into the fog. It was strange how a simple apology could undo years of resentment. Years of pain. Years of torment.

Hope you guys enjoyed. Thanks for reading, and let me know how I'm doing! All my reviewers are absolutely wonderful, and I'd like to take this time to thank them. Your reviews never fail to make me smile. Much love. :)

So today is Saturday, the day of my birthday. I realized that chapter 4 and 7 got mixed up from the last time I updated, so I fixed that. I will update tomorrow. I'm just taking a well deserved break today. :)