Author Note: I'm totally thrilled with how well this story is going. I'm actually surprising myself with it. I'm excited so much I got another chapter ready for all of you fairly quickly. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

A special thanks goes to: 4fanci, Syd-Shane22, kaiya86, Dreamseemer77, hermionemalfoy071, carmille and Random person in wonderland for becoming followers to this story.

Another special thanks goes to: Legolas' Girl 31, Syd-Shane22, moraine9, SB-Potterhead Budgie Lover, Snowflake Dazzle, LightofEvolution and HarryPGinnyW4eva for the wonderful reviews.

Chapter 21:

December 22nd, Ron and Lavender's Home

Ron paced across the kitchen floor, not really meeting his wife's concerned eyes. She was wondering what had gotten into her husband to behave so irrational; but then thought it must have something to do with Hermione. Even now, the mentioning of her name always sent him to be indifferent toward her. She just wished that he would open up to her about what happened between them. "Do you want to tell me what happened yesterday?" She asked sitting her newly baked pie onto the table.

The smell of apple waved under his nose making his mouth salivate in anticipation of the immense flavor he knew would no doubt be in every bite. He stopped pacing to look at her. Ever since finding out that Hermione was involved with Draco Malfoy he had seen nothing but red. He didn't know if it was because he was still protective of her, or if his feelings for her were still there even after the years that passed by. He loved Lavender, there was no questioning that; but Hermione had always been a big part of him.

"She is with that slimy no good son-of-ferret. You should have seen it...she let him touch her."

"Are we speaking of Hermione?"

"Yes..."

She thought something like that would happen someday. Their rivalry was well-known in Hogwarts; but to her, it just seemed like a relationship in the making. It didn't surprise her as much as it did Ron. Lavender walked around the table to stand before her husband. Placing a gentle hand on his face, his expression softened to the point he wrapped her into his arms and placed a firm passionate kiss to her lips. "I know you probably don't want to hear this, because she is your best friend and you care deeply for her; but...Draco really isn't the same person he once was. The war changed him...it changed all of us."

"It really isn't him I'm worried about. I just know his family will never treat her like an equal and I don't want her to subject herself to that treatment just for the sake of pleasing him." Ron answered holding onto Lavender tighter.

"I think he'd stick up for her rights. Please don't worry so much, things will happen as they are meant to."

Ron wondered what he did to deserve such a sweet thoughtful woman in his life. Lavender was everything he wasn't and then some. She kissed the corner of his mouth before moving to slide the knife into the warm pie. He hoped that Draco would be decent enough to stand up for Hermione if someone in his family spoke ill of her. Clenching his hand into a tight fist under the table, he watched Lavender slide a plate in his direction with a piece of the pie upon it. "Thank you, it smells wonderful." He complimented.

"Thank you. Enjoy it, because it's the last pie I'll be making for a while."

He looked up almost instantly, confused as to why she would make the remark and then he saw the disgusted look upon her face. There was something off about her and worry overtook the confusion. "What do you mean?" He asked sitting his fork down a moment to give her his full attention.

"I can't stand the smell of it anymore. It won't be forever; but at least for the next couple of months anyway." She answered with a smile on her face.

Ron titled his head to the side not quite grasping what she was telling him and then he caught her hand absentmindedly going to her abdomen. It hit him like a ton of bricks and in that moment words left him. "Are you telling me that... are going to be parents?" He asked releasing his clenched hand from under the table.

"I was going to wait until Christmas to tell you; but I figured now was as good as any."

He stood up from the chair and came close to her. In a matter of seconds, he reached around her upper body and lifted her up briefly, spinning her around. His laugh was perfect and exactly what she was hoping to hear. Finding out about the baby had been a blessing and it solidified them as being a true family.

December 22nd, Draco's Flat

Hermione pulled her legs under her bum as she held a book in her hands. It had been so long since she read a good book. Draco was out and about preparing for the holiday with his mother. She decided to pass on the visitation in public and settled for reading by the fire. He had made sure to build the fire before leaving her alone in the apartment. The warmth caressed her arms and it made her smile to think about how much everything had changed between.

The words imbedded in her mind as she read. She remembered them being read to her as a child from her mother's mouth. 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' was a classic and one she loved, even after growing up. She hoped that someday she'd be able to read the words to her child and he or she would appreciate the script as much as she did.

"A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."

She never quite grasped the words while still a child; but now she understood them a little more. You could love as much as you want, but if you can't get others to love you it's pointless. That's why being nice to everyone regardless if they are in return goes a long way. Draco was one such case. He may have never been nice to her school; however, when everything was said and done, she never blamed him and was kind to him in the start of their journey in The Ministry of Magic.

The sound of the lock clicking alerting her to his presence. The door opened and he stepped through the threshold carrying a small bag in his hand. He placed it on the counter and shrugged out of his coat to hang it up. "How was the trip?" Hermione asked sitting her book down on the table beside her.

"As good as it could be. My mother is persistent as always." He answered turning around to face her with a smile.

"She hates the thought of us, doesn't she?"

"She'll warm up to it."

Hermione wasn't so sure of that. Draco walked into the living room and picked up the book she had been reading. He recognized the title, though he never read the material himself. It was a muggle book and he usually stayed away from such things. Of course, he never thought the woman he was in love with would be muggle-born. So maybe, he should try to learn more about their ways. "Have you ever read it?" She asked softly, snapping out of his own thoughts.

"No..."

"It's really good."

"Maybe someday when our lives aren't so chaotic."

She frowned at this. No one knew when things would end or even if she would survive when it was all said and done. Draco noticed her change in mood fairly quickly and knew that he probably shouldn't have said what he had. All that did was get her thinking about the threats and about all the people that lost their lives already. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up." He apologized.

"It's fine. It is what it is, Draco." She replied shifting to put her feet onto the carpet below.

He watched her get up and walk towards the large window that over-looked the city. London was beautiful, no question about that. It was even more beautiful now that it was the holiday season. Lights sparkled everywhere and the stars were bright in the sky added more life to the already lively city.

Hermione's long curls hung loose over her shoulders, hiding the curve of her breasts from his view. She was absolutely addicting to him. He knew that he was never going to be able to let her go for any reason, not even if his family demanded it. He mentally vowed that he would keep her safe; but at the far reaches of his mind, he had doubts. Was he really going to be able to do that? So far, everything that's happened has been well thought out.

Draco closed the distance between them and gently took her hands into his. His thumb brushed across her knuckles before pulling her to walk with him. They moved to the area rug in front of the fireplace. She mentally questioned as to what he was doing. He sat down staring at the flames as she followed to sit down next to him.

The fire was warm on her face and embers were burning ever so brightly beneath it all. She wondered if this was his way of being romantic. Forcing all the negative down, she gave in and allowed herself to lean her head on his shoulder. "I'm not very good at this..." He mumbled softly.

"Good at what?"

"Being romantic. I'm used to just seducing to get what I want."

"I think you're doing just fine. I'm not exactly a professional either. I've been with two people my entire life and you know how those turned out."

Draco had always assumed that she kept her romantic life a secret from the Ministry and as it turned it out the only two people she's been involved with were the two people he knew of. That seriously surprised him. How could anyone of that intelligence and beauty be so utterly alone? The war had changed everyone and maybe it changed her more than he originally thought. "I find that hard to believe. How did no one notice your intelligence?" He asked looking down at her as she slid down to rest her head on his lap.

Hermione looked up at him, "The problem was never with my intelligence or my looks. The problem was always with me. I've been damaged since the war and everyone knew it, so they just stayed away." She answered with honesty, or at least as much as she could. Draco reached down to touch the forearm where the brand his aunt had carved into her flesh lay.

"This will never define you, Hermione. I refuse to let you continue be tormented by this. The war is over and we are different people now. Dwelling on the past will only hurt you in the end. I've had to learn that the hard way."

Reaching for his wand on the floor, he held it out aiming at the small bag on the counter. "Accio!" He called to summon the item to his hand. Hermione sat up instantly, wondering what was inside. A grin appeared on his face when he noticed her curious gaze. Knowing what was inside and the fact he had bought it for her made his insides twist and tighten. He was nervous and knew that he shouldn't be. He was a Malfoy for Merlin's sake; but everything about Hermione Granger changed the game entirely.

"Since I'm not going to see you on Christmas, I figured I'd give this to you now." He said handing the bag to her.

"I thought we were spending a little time together."

"Unfortunately, no. My mother wants me there tomorrow. So I hope that you'll be able to go to Potter's tomorrow as well."

Hermione was disappointed. Although, it was probably better this way. Draco could see his mother and try to smooth things over with her about the idea of them being an official couple. Trying to smile at him, she looked down at the bag in her hand. Pulling the tie from the handles, it fell open to reveal a rectangular maroon color velvet box.

Lifting the box up, Hermione slid the lid up only to have her breath taken away. In the box lay silver bracelet with two charms dangling from chain. One was an open book and the other was that of a dragon with a single emerald colored eye. "Oh my..." She whispered still utterly dumbfounded by his gift.

"Do you like it?" He asked hopeful, considering he never bought any woman a piece of jewelry before other than his mother of course.

"I love it."

He reached for the box and released the bracelet from its confines. She felt his fingers touch the inside of his wrist, sending an intimate shiver down her spine. Draco clasped the bracelet around her wrist before brushing his thumb across the palm of her hand. "I know what the book means; but what does the dragon mean?" She asked questioningly.

"It's my patronus."

"I thought you never learned it, because it wasn't all that important to you."

"I eventually learned it and a dragon is what it became."

Her finger traced across the details of the small charm dangling from her wrist. The book symbolized her and her intelligence, while the dragon symbolized him and his strength to change. Immediately getting to her knees, she leaned in to capture his lips with hers. There was desperation in the way her lips moved. It was like she didn't want to leave the moment, not that he blamed her. He really didn't either.

The sound of soft knocking interrupted the moment. Hermione smiled against his lips as they parted. He stood up to walk toward the door. He never imagined to see what was waiting there. He was silent a few moments and it caused Hermione to stand up just in time to hear one word roll off his tongue.

"Pansy..."

End Note: Sorry for the cliffhanger; but it builds for the next chapter and the events coming. There are so many things coming up soon.