During the war, most of the wizarding world had held the Daily Prophet in the highest disdain, because of the lies it printed. However, this had changed since Voldemort had fallen. The Daily Prophet was a well trusted paper that everyone read and believed. And this morning's headline was no exception to this new policy. Hermione and Draco woke up to the sound of multiple owls tapping agitatedly on their windows, and once they put two and two together, they collapsed on top of each other, giggling like school girls. Pulling themselves together, they readied themselves for another day. Once they were done, they walked into the kitchen, holding hands, and let the owls in. There were eight in total, but the one they went to first was the deliver of the newspaper. Plastered on the cover was a photo of them passionately kissing each other, arms pulling the other closer. The cover said in bold caps, "SUSPISIONS CONFIRMED! THE FLOURISHING NEW ROMANCE BETWEEN MALFOY AND GRANGER! WEASLEY THE CHEATER!"

"Well that's immensely satisfying to see," Draco commented, grinning roguishly. Hermione smacked his arm playfully, her face almost split in two from the size of her grin.

"It's good to see Ron portrayed as he truly is," she agreed.

"So are we going to go out about town and flaunt our 'flourishing new romance' to the press?"

She linked her arm with his and replied,

"But of course, my lord!"

"Then go we shall, my lady," Draco said grandly, bowing to her, and with a spin, they side along apparated right into the heart of Diagon Alley.

They had been window shopping for a while now, and Draco, being the 7 year old at heart he was, was whining.

"What's the point to this? We're not even going inside! There's no point in walking around looking when you have no real drive to buy anything!"

She put a finger to his lips, waving off his complaints. Pouting, she dragged him into Flourish and Blotts, over the magazine rack, and opened Witch Weekly. Flipping to a specific page, she held it up for him to see.

Top Five Most Popular Couples!

5. Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass

4. Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood

3. Ron Weasely and Lavender Brown

2. Harry Potter and Ginny Weasely

1. Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy

"We're number 1!" he cried, excited. People in the store turned to look at them, staring. Draco blushed and put the magazine back down. Hermione laughed and straightened his coat, in the moment getting lost in his eyes. It seemed to be happening quite a lot lately. Their lips met, and they heard more than one camera click. Neither of them was a big fan of PDA, but they were too caught up in the moment to care. It was like heaven. Then Hermione came back to her senses and pulled away, blushing as she looked around. People were staring even more so, but Draco didn't seem to notice. His eyes were dark, and he was looking at her intensely. Seeing how dire his situation was, so grabbed his arm and spun on the spot, apparating out. Back in the flat, Draco shuddered as his feet touched the floor, returning to his normal state of mind.

"How come we left?" Draco asked confusedly. Hermione snorted.

"Veela Draco was about to jump me in public. Don't you remember?"

"Yeah, yeah... I guess I thought I was more in control than I actually was," he admitted, looking abashed. Hermione placed a hand on his arm comfortingly.

"It's okay, really! I know how hard it must be for you to control it. I was reading about veelas, and I learned that when they're close to their unmarked mates, it gets hard for them to stop themselves from marking them."

"I know, I know. It's just so hard. I try so hard to keep myself under control, but always end up with situations like that, where I almost do something embarrassing in public. I don't want me being a veela to affect you badly," he rushed, his words running over each other. He looked distressed. He dropped his head into his hands. Hermione was perplexed by his reaction. Why was he beating himself up over such a small and unimportant happening? Then she remembered. Veelas are utterly devoted to their mates. Their goal in life is for their mate to be perfectly happy. Draco was upset that he couldn't completely control himself around Hermione. In his mind, this small fault was keeping her from doing what she desired.

Softly, she spoke again."Sweetheart, it's not your fault you are what you are. I'm perfectly content. I should probably just let you mark me anyway, there's no point in waiting if I've already made up my mind." She rubbed her hand in soothing circles on his arm where her hand rested.

Lifting his head, Draco raised his warm grey eyes to her earnest him, it looked angelic.

"I don't want to pressure you into anything. Just because it's hard for me to control myself doesn't mean you are going to bind yourself to me forever! You will do this when you are good and ready!"

"I am good and ready! I made up my mind the second I first saw you! Don't go all noble on me and sacrifice your health and comfort for me. I don't accept. I can tell that each day that goes by, my presence isn't enough to keep you feeling well. You need this." Even as she said this, Draco looked mildly ill and very tired. He tried to protest, but knew that she was right. He sighed.

"Fine. Let's set a date so you at least have some time to get used to the fact. Three days from now. Thursday?" Draco asked, catching her hand that was still on his forearm, and clasping it in his own.

"Of course. You don't even have to ask," she replied. "Now come here, I'm pretty sure if I get as close as possible it'll help you feel at least better. Draco grinned and patted his lap. Hermione smiled back and took a seat, making herself comfortable, cuddling up to him. His strong arms wrapped around her petite form, and they sighed in unison. Hermione reached over and grabbed the television remote and a blanket, turning on the TV to a movie and wrapping the blanket around them. Comfortable and warm, they dozed off in each other's arms.

When Draco woke up, he was disoriented. Confused, he looked around at his surroundings, then realizing that the warm weight on top of him was Hermione, and she was still asleep. He sighed with content, and took the time before she woke to observe her. To him, she always looked beautiful, but asleep with her guard down, she looked absolutely radiant. Her hair was messed up and her mouth looked had a faint smile on it, like she was laughing at something in her dreams.

Draco's mind wandered then. He was worried. If he knew his father, he would be coming around soon to bother them, angry about Draco leaving. He would pin it all on Hermione of course, saying she had polluted his mind, convinced him to leave them. He would have to be on his guard. He wouldn't put it past his father to try something, like hurting Hermione. His eyes grew dark with anger, even at the thought. If his father, or anyone for that matter laid a hand on Hermione, he personally rip that finger off. Suddenly, Hermione stirred. Draco leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers, his anger forgotten.

"Hello, beautiful," he whispered softly, so as not to startle her in her state of half awakedness. Muttering something unintelligible, turning away from the late evening light streaming in through the window onto her face. He laughed quietly, smoothing his thumb over the small wrinkle her frown made on her flawless face.

"Shut up, I'm sleeping," she grumbled. At this, he began tickling her, and she gasped.

"Ahhgggg! I'm awake!"

Later that night, as they were making a very late dinner, because they had both slept until 10:00 PM, a loud knock was heard on the door. Wondering who it was, Hermione ambled over to the door, leaving Draco cooking spaghetti at the stove. Opening it, she was shocked to see an all too familiar face, twisted into a snarl. Crying out, she stumbled backwards towards the kitchen, towards her Draco. His dear father quickly cast a Silencio around them, and with a slash of his wand,

"Crucio!"

The pain was like a thousand knives stabbing into every live nerve ending in her body, over and over and over. But Hermione held strong, and didn't let out a peep, knowing that it would give him satisfaction. When he lifted the curse, she glared defiantly up at him. Enraged, he yelled, "Sectumsempra!" A large slash cut itself deep into her leg, and Draco came rushing into the hall, eyes burning with rage. With a leap, he was over Hermione, and hitting his father everywhere he could reach. As Draco hit him the face for the fifth time, Lucius gave a yelp and fell unconscious. Content, Draco worriedly went over to Hermione and swooped her up into his arms, careful not to jostle her. Taking her into their bedroom, he gently laid her on the bed and procured his wand, casting some healing charms that would fix the cut, he sat down to wait until she awoke once more.