Chapter 7

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing.

Draco Pov:

The ball is starting in fifteen minutes, and I've just sprayed on a bit of cologne as the finishing touch to my attire. I'm going to be the envy of every man here tonight and I can't help the smug satisfaction that accompanies that thought. Because I'm the one who gets to call the ethereal Hermione Granger their date.

At some point tonight, I'm hoping we can establish an actual relationship together. I want to see where this could go. She's not like any of the other women I've ever met. She's kind, caring, smart, beautiful, couldn't care less about my money, and most importantly loves and adores Scorpious. I know there's something strong between us, and I intend to explore it.

She's actually the only woman I've ever courted or wanted to enter a relationship with. I've never really liked being tied down to one woman, and if I take them out it's only for the sex at the end. I'm usually able to sneak out a couple hours later and return home so I can see Scorp the next morning. But I want more than just sex from Hermione, and have kept to Potter's advice about taking things slow.

After I realized I did in fact like her, I confessed to him and Blaise in his office. Blaise gloated about being right as was expected, but I didn't think Potter would like it seeing how he's so protective of her. He surprised me by saying he was all for it, but warned me not to rush things with her.

"You have to warm her up to just being around you. Once you've done that, then you can ask her out on a date. But you still have to take things slowly, don't expect it to be like all the times you're out with other women" he'd said while we were eating in the cafeteria one day.

"Alright, any suggestions on how I go about this?" I asked.

He thought about it for a minute. "She comes over every weekend so we can all spend time together. You come too and bring Scorpious. Engage in conversation with her and try to be around her at all times in general. That'll be the easiest way to make her comfortable. It'll also make the transition easy on Scorpious if it works and you two do become involved."

I'd already been doing that the times I was around her, but this was a steady plan and I'd take anything I could get. Conversing with her was easy and natural, and every time I was around her I had to fight the urge to put my arm around her or kiss her. I still felt the chemistry between us I had that day in the study, and surely she felt it too. Potter spoke to Ginny and told me she was talking me up to Hermione. I needed all the points I could get, and Ginny threw a birthday dinner for her. I wanted my gift to be something memorable and didn't think a book would quite do it justice, so I settled for jewellery. I brought Scorp along to the jewelers shop, and we spent a good hour just browsing around. When the jeweler showed us the necklace and earring set, I immediately thought of her and Scorp gave his approval. I let him present it to her, and by her response she really loved it. Later that night I sat with Potter in his sitting room and he praised my gift and efforts at wooing her.

"That was a genius gift. I don't think she's ever gotten something like that, and she really seemed to like it. And letting Scorpious give it to her made it all the more personal."

"Yeah, he almost told her what it was when we first got here. I had to try and keep him away until she got to presents" I chuckled remembering his eagerness. "So, do you think she'd agree if I asked her on a date?"

He slowly nodded. "Yes, I believe she would. Ginny says she really likes you too. Just remember to keep taking things slow. She hasn't had the best experience with relationships" he murmured darkly.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

He seemed to be in deep thought for a minute. Then he sighed and said, "Listen Malfoy, I think you're really good for Mione. If I didn't, I wouldn't be trying to help you get her. And I think she's exactly what both you and Scorpious are looking for. But she has a past and she's been hurt. Ginny and I are the only ones who know the story, and she made us swear not to say anything. I can't tell you about it because I can't betray her trust, but I'm hoping she'll eventually tell you herself. Just be patient with her and when she's ready, she'll let you in."

I wanted to get him to tell me more, but I understood it wasn't his story to tell. Who had hurt her? And what exactly did he mean by hurt? Emotional or physical? The thought of someone putting their hands on her made me furious. I remember that day the Potters told us they were expecting again, she'd said she and the Weasel had broken it off and it didn't end on good terms. Was it him? Is that why he and Potter were no longer friends?

I waited for the perfect opportunity to ask her out and it finally came a couple weeks later. Potter or Blaise had been escorting her to keep the dirty fucking pigs at work from trying to seduce her. When he came by my office to ask me to take over at the end of the day, I knew this was my chance and was ecstatic when she accepted. She looked gorgeous when I went to pick her up and I couldn't take my eyes off her. I have no idea how long we were at that restaurant talking, laughing, and dancing, but all too soon we were apparating back to her apartment. I really wanted to kiss her, but I didn't want to mess things up so I opted instead for kissing her forehead. Despite how different it was from my normal dates, I enjoyed it and couldn't wait to do it again.

The next date was even more personal. I brought Scorp along to see how things went. They both already liked each other a lot and I wasn't worried per ce, but this was the first time we weren't surrounded by other friends and family. It was just the three of us. Needless to say, it went off without a hitch. I've never seen Scorpious so taken with someone he hadn't known all his life. Hermione was able to keep up with him all day and he absolutely craved being around her. She thoroughly wore him out because he fell asleep on me while walking her back to her apartment. When I asked her to come with me to the ball, I didn't feel like that was the best time to actually kiss her, seeing as my arms were full with my son. I settled for a kiss on the cheek because I was waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Hopefully tonight it will present itself. We agreed that she would floo over, and I'd escort her into the ballroom. I know it's only been two months, but I think I'm falling for her. She's everything I could ever want and more. She'd be a perfect mother for Scorpious. I know I'm probably getting a little ahead of myself, but that's all I've been able to think about since that day in the park.

I hear footsteps running down the hall and the door flies open. "Daddy! People are starting to come, but James isn't here yet. Neither is Mione" Scorp tells me. We decided to let the boys come along tonight and play with each other. Scorp is dressed like me and looks quite good in his mini tux.

"Well it's still a little early Scorp. Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be here soon. How about we go downstairs to wait for them?" I ask and he nods. We make our way down and wait in a room a little ways down the hall from the ballroom. Most people will be arriving through the front door, but our friends will be coming in through the fireplace of this room. No sooner do we get there, the Potters come out. Scorpious and James immediately begin chasing each other down the hallway. I shake Potter's hand and kiss Ginny on the cheek.

"She'll be here soon. You won't believe your eyes when you see her" she says with a wink. She goes on with Potter and in the next five minutes Blaise and the Nott's arrive. I'm starting to get a little anxious. Shouldn't she be here by now?

As soon as the thought crosses my mind, the green flames roar up again and out she steps. My jaw becomes unhinged and my eyes bulge. She looks…breathtaking.

She's wearing a long black strapless trumpet gown with a small train in the back. Her hair is done up in a fancy twist but with curls cascading down over one shoulder. Her makeup is done perfectly and she's wearing the diamond necklace and matching earrings I gave her.

"Hermione…you look…amazing" I manage to get out.

She blushes. "Thank you. So do you." I shake myself out of my daze and escort her from the room down the hall. The doors magically open for us and we approach the room arm in arm. Everyone stops what they're doing and looks up at us, some in shock, some in disbelief, and a few in joy including my mother. She's been very open to the idea of me and Hermione dating and encourages it.

I lead her down the steps and over to our group of friends to converse for a little while. Lots of people stare at us and as I predicted, many men shoot jealous glares at me. Soon the music starts and I ask her for a dance. We twirl around the ballroom and yet again I'm lost in the feeling of having her in my arms. She fits so perfectly. We dance through three straight songs until Potter cuts in for a dance. I dance with Ginny, Pansy, and a few of my clients who've been invited to attend. Every once in a while I look up and notice that she has a new partner. She danced with a couple of the more levelheaded men from work, Blaise, Theo, and even Scorp got a few dances with her. Somehow we wind up together again, and I don't let her go.

After a while I lead her out of the ballroom, up the staircase, and back into the study for a drink. We both sip on a glass of red wine

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?" I ask.

"Yes, I've had the most wonderful evening. I'm glad I came" she answers.

"I'm glad you came too Hermione. Especially with me" I tell her taking a step closer so that if I wanted I could reach out and touch her. We're in the same position we were in the day of Scorp's party, and this time I plan to play this scene right.

"I've really enjoyed our time together and how close we've gotten since you came back." I tell her as I reach up and cup her cheek. She looks into my eyes and I can see a bit of hesitance, but also desire. She wants this to happen between us as much as I do. I run my thumb back and forth across her skin and hear her breath hitch. "I want to be with you Hermione. You make me feel things I've never felt for another woman. You are truly an amazing witch. Tell me you want to be with me too."

She closes her eyes as I say all this and continue to rub her cheek. Then she opens them and stares at me with such a passion. "Yes" she breathes. "I want this. I want to be with you, Draco."

That's all I need. I bring my head down and close the distance between us. The moment our lips meet, sparks fly into an all consuming fire. I swipe at at her seam with my tongue and she instantly opens, allowing me access. She tastes like wine but also something that is uniquely her. I put my arms around her waist and pull her against me. She in turn wraps hers around my neck, and there's no space between us.

We stand there kissing for long moments until we finally break away for lack of air. She smiles up at me and says, "So I guess this means we're an official couple now?" I return her smile and lean down for a quick peck. "Absolutely. You're mine now."

The next Monday at work, news has traveled of our relationship. Some of our old school mates can't believe we are together, but I don't really care. I've taken the liberty of escorting her to and from work although the men dropped their bet once we got together. They know better than to try and steal from me. Sometimes she'll come and watch me at my cases and congratulate me on the wins. I tell her she's my good luck charm because since we've been dating, I haven't lost a case yet.

We go out for dinner at least once a week so we can have our alone time. Reporters have caught on to our relationship and we ended up on the front of several papers for a few weeks. She seemed a little worried about that for some reason, but when I asked she just brushed my question off and said it was nothing. Mother loves her and asks for her input when decorating a new room, or brings her out shopping. I think she's always wanted a daughter and Hermione is perfect for her.

She usually comes over for dinner every day after work and spends time with Scorpious. She's even gotten to where she bathes and reads a story to him before bed. Before I know it another month has passed and we're still going strong. She's absolutely perfect in every way and I'll never find a better motherly figure for my son even if I tried. I don't deserve her after everything I did in school, but I thank whatever deity that allowed me this second chance to win her heart.

She still hasn't mentioned anything about past relationships. I don't want to push and ask her, but I want her to know she can tell me anything. If this is going to work out, there can't be any secrets between us. I remember Potter's words of she'll tell me when she's ready. I'll just have to wait patiently but continue to show her that I'll never do anything to hurt her.

AN: Short chapter I know! I read all of your reviews and I promise I've taken in what you said and will use it, but there has to be a few filler chapters to show their relationship progressing before we get on with the more dramatic things. Also to those of you who wished for Astoria to return, I've decided that she won't be making a further appearance unless they talk about her in context. She gave away all rights to her son, so there's really not much she can try to do and I don't want to go down the whole psycho crazy kidnap her own child path. There's only room for one crazy ex in this story and I'm having a hard time portraying his character as it is. Thank you all so much for your reviews and ideas and baring with me through this story!