Author's Note: If a chapter update brought you here, please backtrack to chapter 5! Tonight was another 2-for-1. A little bit of fluff and sexiness this time.

—Chapter 6—

Accompanying Song: Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Cary Brothers

A roar of the fire left her small flat bathed in a warm green glow. Without warning, Hermione flung her arms around Draco's neck and pulled him into a crushing embrace. There was minimal time for him to react before her lips were crashing into his once more. But as quick as it the moment happened, he found her pulling herself free.

She took a step back from him, her fingertips toying with the hem of her sweater sleeves. "I know you normally head back to the Manor, but would you care to stay with me for the night? It's already late, I didn't know that dinner would go so late and—"

"i would be honored," he flashed her a smile.

Draco had hardly spent time in her flat since their initial meeting. Normally they would meet somewhere neutral, or at the least spend a relatively short amount of time there before heading out. She had fallen asleep on him once, but, like a gentleman, he tucked her in and made his exit. As Hermione retreated to the kitchen for her usual nightly mug of cocoa, Draco finally took in his surroundings. Cautiously, as to not disturb the order of her things, he made his way around her living room, observing the girl he unexpectedly found himself bound to.

Her fireplace was flanked by floor to ceiling bookshelves on either side that spanned the length of the room. The collection seemed to be a mixing of both muggle and Wizarding works, both academic and classic literature. Trinkets and photos intermingled amongst the shelves, still ones of what he assumed was her parents and ones in motion of her and the other two quarters of the trio, the Weasleys, and various other witches and wizards he vaguely recognized such as Looney Lovegood and Longbottom. While her flat was relatively spotless and immaculately organized, they gave the space a feeling of home and comfort. It was something that separated her dwelling from the manor. Her space was lived in while his was sterile and lacked any semblance of the love that seemed to emanate from every corner of the room here.

Draco turned back to her couch and seated himself at one end. Where the couches at the manor were all regal in wood and fine leathers, hers were a worn suede that seemed to cushion and embrace those seated on it. The only complaint that he could seem to find was that tiny ginger hairs were left behind from her familiar and were glaringly obvious against his jet black dress clothing. His hand smoothed over the throw blanket on the back of her couch.

"My mother made if for me when I was a first year." Though she laughed, her smile did not reach her eyes. "I know the Gryffindor colors are extremely cliche, but I don't have much left of them…"

Her voice trailed off as she sat beside him. Absently, she held out a coffee mug to him, the warm chocolate buried under a thick blanket of marshmallows. He carefully lifted both mugs from her and placed them on the coffee table before them, replacing their warmth with his own as he took her hands in his. The contact stirred her from her thoughts, her honey brown eyes catching his gaze.

"Why are you so kind to me? You don't have to be like this. You don't have to pretend to care for me," her voice barely a whisper.

"Hermione," he gently squeezed her hands, "of course I don't have to, but that does not negate the fact that I do find myself caring for you. I know you heard at least some of what I said back there."

Her brows furrowed, lips pursed as she pondered what he said. "Why, though?"

"Love, I know it's only been a month but..." Attempting to collect his thoughts, his gaze averted from hers as he carefully selected the words that would follow. "You are a breath of fresh air. I am honored to call you my fiancé, and one day my wife. Even if I may never live up to the expectations you have, I would like the chance to. I hope to one day make you happy, to be what you deserve, and perhaps we may not have to divorce after our child is of age."

A wet laugh drew his attention back to her, her head turned as she fought back the tears that swelled in them. His brows furrowed and he loosened his grip on her.

"I apologize. I was too forward."

But she didn't let him go. Her fingers intertwined with his and gave him a reassuring squeeze.

"No, I'm sorry. It's just that I understand. It's like I have known you for years."

He smirked at this. "You have known me most of your life."

Playfully, she rolled her eyes. "Not like this, not Draco. I knew the arrogant prat that was Malfoy. I didn't know Draco, the man I would shockingly enjoy spending my days with. You know, you're not that bad once you get past all those pureblood ways."

"No wonder I find you so irresistible." There was his signature drawl, but the playful undertone was hard to miss.

Hermione's smile quickly faded, her brows furrowing once more as she looked up to him. "Can I ask something else?"

He bit back his sarcastic response at the serious expression that had taken over her features and simply nodded instead.

"How is it that you know how to handle my anxiety attacks?"

Draco took a deep breath as he contemplated his response and leaned back into the couch. He gently pulled her to him, maneuvering her to position her back to his chest and his arms crossed across her body. A content sound escaped her as she nestled into him, her head resting in the cradle of his neck.

"You are not the only one with lingering effects of the war."

"Hmm?"

"My mother. She…" his pulse quickened as he sought the words to finish his thought. "She has nightmares, but it's not just a problem for her when she is asleep. It's not just words or situations that cause her to have an episode, but I have had to adapt. I notice the signs, and have had many years to figure out the appropriate actions to ease it. Not everyone is the same, of course, but I am learning."

She was silent less than a beat before her next question. "Why do you continue to stay there?"

"I'm not sure that mother could handle the shock of a new environment, so I have stayed by her side. I am the head of the estate now, we could go to any of our many properties, but the manor is home to her."

"What about the rooms? Where," she hesitated, "those things happened?"

"The manor is too large for it to be necessary to be in or near those rooms. Initially, I had them completely gutted and redone, but now we find it easier to avoid them entirely."

Hermione nodded, her gaze falling to her hands folded in her lap.

"Any further questioning? I feel as if I am being interrogated by a reporter." He smirked, tightening his hold on her.

"When will I meet her?"

Finally her questioning caught him off guard. His head canted to the side to rest his cheek to the mess of curls atop her head. "Well, I suppose we should sooner rather than later if you would like to still be able to fit in a wedding dress."

Her elbow collided with his ribs, "I am barely eight weeks! You act as if I am a blimp already."

"You act as if I am well acquainted with pregnancies and children…"

"I suppose you are right, though. We should have tea with her tomorrow, if you think she would be alright with it."

Draco absently nodded. His hands had begun to roam and now ducked under the hem of her shirt to smooth over her skin. Gently, his palms came to rest on her lower abdomen, delicately cradling her body under his touch as if too much pressure might disturb either of them.

Hermione let out an airy laugh, resting her hands on the back of his. "You can't feel it yet, it'll be a few more months."

A content hum escaped him, "I know. I am simply enjoying the moment, the feel of life that we created."

Her head tilted up, planting a short row of kisses into his neck. "I have my first appointment this Wednesday.."

"Oh?" Draco sharply inhaled, the feeling of her lips causing him to stir.

"Would you come with me? We might be able to see the baby." She had rotated in his grip now and her hands were splayed across his chest. Her lips never broke contact with his skin as she spoke.

Draco groaned. While she was easily continuing the conversation, his mind had become sluggish and his eyelids fluttered as he struggled to remain composed. "Won't Potter notice my," he paused with another groan as her fingers slid lower down his torso. "Won't he notice my absence," he managed to stammer.

"I'm going to tell him, about the baby. If he tells Ginny and Ron, well that's less fighting I have to do. I am tired of hiding, they're my family." She hesitated for a moment, "but this is my family too."

Her words continued to stay on an innocent topic while her hands betrayed that innocence. She had managed to once more undo his pants. This time she had gone further to where her hands had ducked into the waist of his boxers and came into contact with his sensitive flesh. His head fell back with a husky 'fuck' as she gave his length a slow stroke following her words.

Draco had remained as calm and passive as he could while they spoke, but his patience had long since run out. With a single swift motion, he scooped her up and rose from the couch. His palms cupped her backside and pulled her groin against his, his pants now in a heap on the floor as he carefully stepped out of them. One of her arms came up to loop around his neck for support as her free hand pulled her sweater over her head and tossed it to the side. His lips skimmed across the exposed stretch of her chest and left rows of kisses planted on her sun-kissed skin.

His steps were slow as to not lose his grip on her, her own body making the task nearly impossible as she writhed against him. She continued to attempt to make quick work of their clothing and left it discarded in their wake. When she ran out of articles of clothing she was able to pull off, her wandering hand once more freed him from the confines of his boxers. The only fabric that separated them now was her panties as her skirt pooled up around her waist. Slowly, she gave a tantalizing roll of her hips against him.

The sensation alone was enough to buckle his legs beneath him. Draco staggered forward and Hermione's back connected with the hallway wall behind them where it rattled the frames adorning it. His groan was muffled into the crook of her neck before he took his own revenge for the relentless teasing he had been assaulting him with. Gingerly at first, his teeth sunk into the soft column of her neck. A sharp cry of pleasure escaped Hermione as her head tipped back and it was all the invitation he needed. The broadside of his tongue swiped over the mark that had begun to form before once more nipping at her skin, claiming the unexplored expanse.

Hermione's hips bucked in response. Her body was on fire, everywhere he touched left heat against her skin. She needed more, and he was agonizingly taking his time and savoring the moment. A wordless spell left them both in the nude and now gave her all the access she needed. Her fingers curled to grip into the muscle of his shoulders as she lifted herself against him. The head of his cock teased across her slick opening and left them both moaning. Her bare chest against his was electric as she pulled her body away from the wall and lined his head up with her opening—-

But all she could do was writhe against him. Draco's grip on her backside was vice like as he lifted her away, unable to get the relief she so desperately needed.

"Not. Yet," he managed to growl.

They were moving again, this time more sure and quickly. Hermione's hand fumbled with the door as they reached her room and within seconds she felt the soft embrace of her bedsheet before his body pressed down onto hers. What had previously been frantic touches slowed, time around them coming to a still as he slowly maneuvered them up the bed. Draco's palm cradled her cheek where he rolled the pad of his thumb over the curve of her face.

"Are you certain this is what you want?" His voice was shaky, husky with lust.

Hermione raised her head to catch his lips, a soft and tender gesture.

"Draco," her own voice mirrored his, her cheek nuzzling past his to whisper against his ear. "I need you, please." Mustering her best seductive voice, "take me."

He did not need further encouragement. His hips sunk down into hers, spearing her hot core onto his shaft. Hermione's chest arched up into his as she cried out. He hesitated for only a moment before he began a slow pace thrusting in and out of her. Each downward thrust of his hips was met with a rough grind as she matched his pace stroke for stroke.

Her leg hooked around his, sliding up into position behind his upper thigh. When he would attempt to pull out to the tip, she constricted her grip on him and pull him back into her forcefully. His pace increased and their touches became increasingly more frantic once again. Her nails raked down the canvas of his back and left thin welts that were bright in contrast to his ivory skin.

Sliding his palm up her abdomen, he cupped her breast and rolled his thumb over the sensitive bud. Draco's head bowed, brushing kisses over the peak before turning to catch her nipple between his lips. His teeth grazed over her supple flesh, giving a firm nip before pulling it into his mouth. His touch was like electric pulses that tore through her body and each pass drew forth a cry louder than the last from her. Her cries of pleasure were exhilarating and drove him to a fevered pace. Further north his mouth continued to roam, laying claim to each new expanse of skin with a fresh mark.

The pleasure had built to an almost unbearable amount. Each breath came more ragged than the last leaving her lungs burning. Her cries of pleasure had peaked and her vision swam as the pressure in her core threatened to spill over.

"Draco," she panted, begging him for release.

The hand on her breast dropped lower, deft fingers finding her clit and rolling it beneath the pad of his middle finger.

"Come with me, Hermione," he murmured against the slender column of her neck.

The attention to her body became too much and sent her into sensory overload. With a cry, her back bowed and her head fell back. Waves of ecstasy wracked her body with each thrust as he rode through her orgasm. Despite his best efforts, the constricting pulse of her inner walls on his shaft was enough to push him over the edge. With a final thrust to the hilt inside of her, his own pleasure came crashing down and mixing with hers.

Draco rolled to the side, pulling her atop his chest as they both were left panting in post orgasmic bliss, still buried deep within his fiancé. Hermione's eyes fluttered as she slowly lifted her head to look up at him. With a tender touch, his fingers brushed over her cheek and through her hair before he leaned in for a chaste kiss.

With his forehead pressed to hers and a smile hidden, his voice was barely audible, "I'm falling for you, Hermione.."

"And I you," she murmured.

Hermione hid a smile of her own beneath the long tangles of curls that spilled across her cheeks. The pair laid in silence, time slipping past but neither daring to move.

"Where do we go from here?"

The suddenness of the inquiry caught him off guard. She shifted her head back against his shoulder to look up at him, her wide chestnut eyes catching his gaze.

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"What do we tell people? About us? About the baby?"

"We tell them as much as you are comfortable with. The two of you are my world now, and I will follow your lead." Draco's eyes once more closed, tenderly cradling her to his chest.

"I want to tell your mother, then I want to go ahead with the formal announcement for both. Let Skeeter talk. I am not ashamed."

"As you wish, my love."

Draco welcomed the silence that descended over them as they lay there, hands innocently roaming over one another's body. He found himself surprised at how much he enjoyed the closeness of another person, as it was something he could only recall a few other times. It had been since he and Patsy were together at Hogwarts that he had laid with another human. While he entertained females at his mother's request for formal events, that was as far as it went. Early attempts had proved futile with many only interested in his lineage or vault contents. It was easier to remain alone.

But this? He could get used to this being an every day occurrence.

Several minutes had passed and his eyelids had grown heavy, but Hermione's questioning appeared to be unrelenting. He felt her body stir against his again.

"Draco?" The tone of her voice like a child checking if someone was awake.

"If I pretend to sleep, will this questioning be done for the day?"

Almost instantly she fell quiet, shoulders sagging. Draco softly chuckled, his arms drawing her closer to him.

"I apologize, it was simply a joke. What is it, love?"

"Is there anything I should worry about with our announcement? Slander? Howlers?"

His face contorted into a grimace, conjuring up the most delicate way to put it. "There may perhaps be gossip, but I have never paid it mind and I would suggest doing the same. However, I will use every resource at my disposal to keep you safe."

"I don't want you to waste your galleons on me."

"When it comes to you, not a single amount would ever be a waste."

Hermione resisted the urge to combat him on the matter. If she expected this, whatever this was, to work, there would need to be some give and take. Instead, she would simply let him have this small victory, for the moment at least. Her cheek once more pressed to his chest and the gentle pulsing cadence of his heart filled her senses, a soothing lullaby that was accompanied by the soft caress of his palms along her back. The silence that had descended upon them was peaceful, a moment she never wanted to leave.

It was unusual to her, to be so comfortable and at peace with someone who she was only a vague acquaintance with just a month ago. She wasn't one to make friends easily, or at least trust them to the extent she was beginning to trust her old nemesis. He was not the same person, and she would just have to keep reminding herself that. She was enjoying this so far, more than she would ever admit outloud, and she wasn't going to prematurely stop it. Who knows where it could lead. They could hate each other once more in a few weeks.

Or perhaps she could truly have a husband, a real husband and not just for the sake of convenience, in the blond haired man that was quickly winning over her affections.

Draco Malfoy.

Her future husband