BellasBeingBad: Argh, worst thing about spell check is that it can't check things like that. I do try to read over as many times as possible, but it's easy to miss when I have my mind full to include other things. I've found a couple of mistakes now: thank you for letting me know in your review!

HMK: Ha ha, I can't really stand Ron in this case either. He can be sweet, but I suppose with Draco it's easy to make him the preferable person. Thank you for your review!

Epixie: Aw, thank you. Your reviews are always lovely to read, thank you for your support

mydirt09: Yay! Oh no, don't worry, the kiss is in his office, I just didn't make it clear: but I did in this chapter. Ah, I don't blame you for falling for Draco... Thank you for your review again

Tia Jade: Aw thanks! And I doubt you'll like my other stories: they're in other categories. I've never been brave to publish a harry potter fic until now (this is my first) even though I'm a great fan. Thank you for your review!

hmiller0903: Thank you for your review! Your update is here! Enjoy (I hope)

pageofspades: Thank you- I completely understand your point. Don't worry, that's just how I am. I like everything to be light-hearted at first, but there are dark aspects intended for this story. As it's set after the War, it's a little harder, but I have some ideas. I've started to for this chapter as intended, so I hope you'll be a little more happy with it. I totally see what you're trying to say, so thank you, your advice is greatly appreciated, as was your review!

sarah: Ah yes, isn't it just! Thanks for your reviews

BeneHime1124: Thank you! And I know, he's always butting in, that Weasley. And I'm glad you understand! It's so annoying! Here is the next chapter, enjoy!

Emb56: Oh if I could, I would certainly do so for you. He does have very attractive elements, yes: I'm glad you like his characterization. Thank you: I'm surprised at my updates too, I hope they don't slow down. Thank you for your review!

Chapter 4

His eyes hurt from staring so intently into the amber flames, the heat excessively overpowering him: but he didn't care. A shaky hand raked through his fine hair, feeling the sticky strands inbetween his long fingers as he tried to control his breathing.

Draco Malfoy's eyes slowly closed, feeling unbearably light-headed as his thoughts pounded around his head constantly.

"Hermione…"

Her arms wrapped around his neck before she tugged him down insistently, unable to part her lips from his. Groaning, he pulled her body flush against him, lifting her so her long legs wrapped around his waist. He backed her into his office door, reaching his hand down to swiftly remove his wand and cast a lock and silent charm. Reaching down, his fingers trickled down her blouse, unbuttoning it easily as he went. Hermione's hand moved to cup the side of his neck before stroking his smooth jaw line and pulling away. His eyes darkened when he saw her bruised and plump lips, her heaving chest and her flushed cheeks; His throat growled at the sight.

"Draco, are you even listening to me?"

He sighed, putting down his glass to turn his head and look up the irritated woman standing there. "Sorry, mother."

"I honestly do not know what has happened to you. Snap out of your daydream and listen to me-

"-You have my full attention, mother. What is it?"

"As I was saying, people have noticed you're spending an awful amount of time with Hermione Granger. Your father is most displeased and-

"-I'm not interested in what father thinks anymore." Malfoy interrupted, turning his attention back to the roaring fire as he tried to stir off Hermione's spicy vanilla scent. He could still feel her unbearably soft skin from his fingers when he had clutched her waist tightly: His stomach had fluttered when she had murmured his name... His first name. Draco.

"Draco."

Another sigh. Malfoy lifted his head to look pointedly at his mother.

Narcissa glared at him before continuing. "She is not fit to be your wife-

"-For Merlin's sake, mother. We only went on the one date."

"You were seen talking to her at the Ministry."

"Seen? Seen? What is this? Who's been spying on me?"

"Never you mind," Narcissa hissed, stepping forwards so her beautiful but angry face shone in the firelight. "Just be careful. You are our only son and we expect you to behave accordingly. You are not to shame us. We matched you with Pansy Parkinson for a reason, and we expect you to keep to it."

Draco only laughed. "Shame you? Mother, the War was over a long time ago. Father lost. And I grew up and learnt of the World when he never has. What I do is none of his business."

"Draco," Narcissa breathed, stepping forwards and bending next to him, her hand resting on his arm. "There is still hope-

Malfoy jumped up, shaking her off of him. "Don't," His eyes shone brightly as he started to shake his head. "Mother, just don't. It's over. Everyone fighting for that stupid cause was in Azakaban, including father. I won't listen to anymore of this."

"We shouldn't. Not here."

His head fell upon her shoulder just as a groan left his mouth. "Granger…"

"Malfoy," She pushed at his chest so he had no choice but to lift himself off her, allowing her to move with him so she sat on his desk and he stood between her legs. She mewled with pleasure when his hand stroked his way up her leg slowly, his grey eyes studying hers before his head bent down to kiss her thigh gently before her lips. Hermione smiled into his mouth and couldn't help but respond to him, pulling him closer to her by his collar, her hands running up and down his chest.

He pulled from her lips to kiss his way down her neck, sucking gently on the junction where it met her shoulder and content to listen to her soft moans of pleasure.

"Draco…"

His head moved to kiss her again but as he did so, his eyes fell upon his wedding ring, lying on his desk. Suddenly, he broke from her, his gaze never wavering from it. Hermione frowned at him, cupping his face. "Draco? What's wrong?"

She had followed his gaze, her voice faltering as she saw the ring on his desk and comprehended his thoughts. Her hands fell from his chest just as he backed away a little. Abruptly, she stood, buttoning up her top.

"This was a mistake," He murmured almost to himself as he watched her, his hands clawing through his hair. "I have to go."

"Don't be silly, I'll leave-

But he had already unlocked the door swiftly with his wand, storming out.

"Master Draco!"

"What?" He roared, spinning around, but stopped when he saw Hermione standing behind the tiny house elf. He only looked at her and she stepped forwards, barely registering when the house elf bowed and left the room, leaving them alone.

"I see that you're happy to see me," Hermione greeted coolly, looking around the room. It was dimly lit, but fairly clean although that was probably more down to the house elves than Draco. The fire hissed at her as she stepped forwards a little and she frowned, noticing how the blinds were drawn. "You still haven't left your bloody room."

He only glared at her, sipping some wine as if the truth of her words had no effect on him. Suddenly, the glass smashed against the wall and Draco gaped at the mess on his floor.

"What the-" He started, but when he looked around and saw a very calm Hermione with her wand pointing directly at him, his mouth only fell open some more as he glared angrily at her. "What the fuck Granger?"

"You're drunk," She told him simply, storing away her wand. "No wonder you look a mess."

"I'm not drunk," But he gave in, slumping in his armchair, his hand covering his eyes. "Go away."

She rolled his eyes at his childish manner but walked forwards, her heels clicking on the wooden floor as she kneeled before him. "Draco, what's wrong? You've been like this ever since…" Her voice faltered and broke off. She didn't know quite how to say 'ever since we kissed'. It sounded so small and it wasn't: Not to her.

He only leant his head back, closing his eyes. "I have a headache."

"Shall I get you something?"

They opened to twinkle at her in amusement. "Oh, you could get me a lot of things."

She sighed, ignoring him. "Malfoy, it's summer. Why on earth have you got your fire on?"

"It helps me think."

"Well you look hot."

"I am hot. Physically, of course."

She rolled her eyes again before flicking her wand so the fire died down. He gazed at her sleepily as she stood up, holding her hand out to him. Slowly, he took it, allowing her to try to haul him upwards. He chuckled at her attempt and stood up clumsily; Her arm weaved around his waist to try to support him.

"Come on, bedroom."

"Someone's eager," He murmured, his lids drooping to a close again as she tried to get him to walk. He groaned before obliging her, taking small but heavy steps towards the door. Eventually, they got to the hall, where a house elf pointed the way, earning him a smile from Hermione. She whipped out her wand again, muttering a spell so he was levitated a few inches upwards. With her wand pointing into his back, she manouvered him up the stairs, along the wide, empty hallway and finally: his bedroom.

The spell dropped and Malfoy shuffled forwards before falling ungracefully onto his large bed, his eyes closing. Hermione sighed, sitting next to him cautiously, her hand hovering near his head before it finally rested on it and she proceeded to stroke his hair gently.

"Draco, you can't sleep like this."

"Yeah… can." He mumbled into the bedcovers, allowing her to chuckle.

"No…can't." She mimicked his way of talking, causing him to open his eye and stick his tongue out at her.

"Don't take the piss."

"I'm not."

"Are."

She raised an eyebrow. "Malfoy, can you not manage to talk to me properly?"

"Fine," He rolled onto his back, his grey eyes looking up at her blankly. "What do you want to talk about?"

"What's wrong?" She asked him in a softer tone, lying down next to him on her side so that they were facing each other. He blinked at her.

"I'm a horrible person."

"Oh Malfoy, no you're not," She whispered, stroking his hand. "What makes you think that?"

"I'm not even divorced properly yet," He heaved a great sigh. "And I want you. That's horrible. I'm horrible. I can never please anyone. My own parents are ashamed of me. Everywhere I turn people remember I'm Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, that I have to be disgusting, class-conscious and a slimy little rich boy with nothing to do but bully others. I hate that. I hate me."

She tried to talk but he wouldn't let her. "Don't try to comfort me. Just go away. I want to sleep."

A tear rolled down her face as slowly, she nodded, getting up to walk away, closing the door quietly behind her. She watched him as she did so, noticing his eyes never left hers, right up to the moment the door came to a small click and all she was staring at was the wooden door.

"Pansy, my dear, you shouldn't say such things. Men have their phases, it will pass as quickly as it came. Trust me. You're his wife, no one can take that away."

"Narcissa, he said it himself," Pansy paced back and forth, trying to think carefully. "He told me he was getting a divorce. He's infatuated with that mudblood. He'll marry her."

"He'll do no such thing," Narcissa's soothing voice was as smooth as honey as she sat calmly, watching Pansy. "Don't worry so, dear. He won't. As soon as you tell him you're pregant, he will stay. Count on that."

"He better," Pansy's voice threatened as she stopped in her tracks, looking at Narcissa. "Oh, he better."

A/N: Reviews, as always, are greatly appreciated.