A.N.; And sweet lord I am SO sorry for not posting sooner. After my last post I actually went into hospital for surgery and the few weeks after that I was so doped on pain relief I didn't know what was going on. But it's been 4 weeks now since I've been ok enough to write (and have it make sense) and seriously I just didn't have the motivation. But I'm done that now and I will try my very best to post frequently. All my love. Oh and Elyse if you read this, this chapter is for you.

Disclaimer; I, in no way, shape or form, own Harry Potter.J. K. Rowling is god when it comes to this and if I did own it why would I be writing this.

Chapter 12

"Sweetheart, do you love me?"...

His question shocked her. Was he really that thick?...

"Of course I do, you idiot. Merlin, yes Draco I love you." She could hear how strong her own voice sounded.

"I'll try, for you, I'll try to do this whole going public thing." His voice was quite but she knew he meant every word. He still had his eyes closed and his forehead resting on hers. She stood back from him and his eyes flicked open and she kept her hands on his shoulders. Slowly grabbing his tie and pulling him down to her, she smirked.

"We have plenty of time before rounds Draco..." and then she was dragging him behind her into their dorm and up to his room. It wasn't long before they were tangled back in his familiar silk sheets, breathing heavily and holding each other as if afraid the other would leave them. Between the mess of sweaty bodies, moans and kisses it was clear that this was where they belonged, with each other.

After rounds that night Hermione and Draco returned to their dorm and sat on the couches by the fire. They talked and argued over topics they were both enthusiastic about and Draco learnt that Hermione wouldn't be following the other 2/3rds of the reckless Golden Trio into Auror Training and this honestly surprised him. How were Potty and Weasel going to survive without her? Instead she wanted to become an apprentice Wand Maker under Mr Ollivander. She said she already spoken to the old man and that he was more than happy to have her. Of course he was, she was the brightest witch of the age. She didn't want to have to run around like Potty and Weasel would have to but she'd still get to go places to find ingredients for the wands. He told her about taking over his family's businesses and hopefully creating a larger network by trading with new companies.

It wasn't long until Hermione fell asleep, curled upon the couch with her head resting in Draco's lap on a pillow. He watched as the glow from the fire lit up her face and the way she looked so peaceful asleep. She had no worries, no one to look after, no stress of NEWTS or responsibilities. Softly brushing her hair behind her ear he couldn't help but lose himself gazing at her. And soon enough, sleep took him as well.

Morning arrived and Hermione woke up to the sound of tapping at the common room window. Slowing untangling herself from Draco's hold she made her way over to let the owl in. It wasn't an owl she recognised and it wasn't a school owl so carefully walking towards where it was perched she attempted to take the letter from it only to be bitten.

"Ow! You nasty thing." It was too early in the morning for her to be putting up with this nonsense and honestly she'd rather be back in Draco's arms. She heard Draco stir behind her, she hadn't even heard him get up off the couch let alone walk up to her.

"It's my Father's owl, that's why you can't take the letter, it will only hand it over to the person it was meant for." His voice was dark and yet still slightly groggy from having only woken moments ago. He snatched the letter from the animal and sent it on its way. Sitting back on the couch Draco opened the letter and read it quickly. She tried to search his face for any kind of emotion that might hint as to the content of the letter but like anything regarding Lucius, he wore a mask of pure indifference. He only rarely ever spoke of his father, most of it in disgust but when speaking of his mother his voice took on a tone of adoration.

Quickly he stood and threw the parchment into the fire. When he turned back to Hermione, her face must have been covered in concern because he quickly hugged her.

"Don't worry about it sweetheart. Come on, we have breakfast in half an hour and I'd like a nice hot shower before today." Wiggling his eyebrows he took her hand and off to the bathroom they went.

He sighed and shifted uncomfortably before their portrait hole. Can I really do this? Hermione squeezed his hand in an encouraging gesture and he gave her a brief smile. This was going to be one interesting day.

"Draco... you know we don't have to..you know tell people if you're really that averted to it." Her voice was quiet and then he'd realised she'd taken his nerves as reluctance and he mentally slapped himself.

"Sweetheart, it's not that. I... I'm just nervous is all." He gulped, taking her hand as she lightly kissed his cheek and hand in head they walked towards the Great Hall for breakfast.

"Draco, where would you like to sit? With the Slytherin's or Gryffindor's?" He scoffed.

"As if I'd walk you straight into the Snake Pit. We'll sit with Blaise and Weaselette." Dragging her towards their two friends he noticed Potter next to Ginny, his nerves coming back tenfold. Keep it together, you are a Malfoy after all! You are afraid of no one. Slowly sitting beside Blaise, Hermione sat in beside him. Letting go of her hand so that they both could eat he was extremely aware of the hundreds of eyes that were no settled on the two of them.

"Good morning Drake." His Italian friend was grinning from ear to ear and this annoyed him greatly but also took his mind off the now silent Great Hall.

"Yes, Good morning Ferret." The redhead smiled cheerfully at him. Of course she's enjoying this.

"Blaise. Weaselette." He returned with a smirk and then looked down to find a plate full of food in front of him. Turning his head to look at his girlfriend he found her blushing as he realised what she'd done. She'd put strawberries on his plate amongst the eggs, sausages, bacon, tomato and toast. Merlin, I love my girlfriend. Holy shit, I just called her my girlfriend. Well that is what she is now Draco. He was brought out of his inner ramblings by a deep voice he knew well.

"Malfoy."...