Hermione took a deep breath as they stood there, practically chest to chest in the Entrance Hall, her brown eyes looking up into his grey. Her mind move quickly, trying to gasp everything he just told her, debating on if she should act on the thoughts telling her to kiss him or the thoughts telling her to take a moment and think everything over. Eventually the desire to kiss him one and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, noting the sigh of relief he exhaled as he wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you." He muttered as he pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss. Hermione gasped as Malfoy's hands touched her bareback, her low back dress revealed. Malfoy moved away and took a deep breathe. "That one was a lot better than the last one." He murmured as he moved his hands up and down her back.

"I think I might be able to get use to this." Hermione said. "But for now, we should return to the ball. I bet our friends are waiting for an update."

"Oh I know mine are." Malfoy laughed as he took one of Hermione's hands and led her back into the Great Hall.

The friends of the couple were standing on opposite sides of the hall, watching the door and everyone gave a silent cheer when Malfoy and Hermione walked in holding hands. Malfoy and Hermione looked at their friends. "Who first?" Malfoy asked.

"Why not both together?" Hermione replied, motioning for her friends to come over. Malfoy chuckled as he did the same. Eventually Parkinson, Daphne, Nott, Zabini, Ginny, Neville, and Luna were with the couple.

"So you finally came to an agreement?" Parkinson asked.

"We did." Malfoy nodded.

"And you finally told her how you have liked her for years?" Zabini asked, before groaning as Parkinson hit him.

"Yes, I told her." Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Now, if you will excuse us, I wish to dance with my soulmate." Hermione rolled her eyes as Malfoy led her to the dance floor and wrapped her in his arms. "I have a request."

"Oh?" Hermione asked as they moved to the music.

"Now that you have accepted me, can we call each other by our names?"

"I think I can handle that, Draco." Hermione smirked.

"Maybe that is not such a good idea, Hermione." Draco growled into her ear, causing her to gasp. "We might need to hold off on first names till we can relieve this…tension." Hermione nodded, feeling his warm breath on her neck and the want being in his arms created. Draco smiled as they continued to dance, only letting her go when she needed to use the restroom, the rest of the night if she was not in his arms her hand was in his.

The rest of the week before leaving for the Christmas Holidays passed quickly for the students. Everyone who founded their soulmates were happily making Christmas plans with their respective soulmates and Hermione and Draco were no different. "I want to introduce you to my mother." Draco told her one day while they were in the library, Hermione was studying and Draco was just sitting there, playing with one of her curls and watching her face as she studied. Hermione froze at his comment and looked at him. "Oh, not at the Manor, I am not an idiot," He promised. "But I figured we might as well get it out of the way, and if I introduce you on Christmas you can join us to see my father and we can get that out of the way when he can not do any magic out of anger."

"You're not doing a good job of convincing me this is a good idea." Hermione pointed out. Draco smirked as he moved her from her seat onto his lap, chuckling at her yelp.

"I have to convince you, do I?" He asked into her ear as his hand moved onto her thigh where her skirt was raised just a bit, earning a gasp from her. "I want to take you to my father, and watching his eyes darken at the realization that in his mind his family will forever be tainted. I want to watch the anger and defeat when he sees how turned on you get just from my hand being on your thigh, and for him to realize that because this is a Ministry potion there is nothing he can do about it."

"You know," Hermione gasped as he started moving his hand, but still keeping it in a respectful spot. "That I'm only this sensitive because of the potion."

"Oh I know," He said. "But that is what is going to kill my father, watching you squirm as I do something as simple as this." Draco kissed her cheek causing her to take a deep breath. "Once we relieve this…tension," He said, giving her thigh a squeeze. "Your reactions will not be the same and I want my father to hurt for what he let happen to you at the Manor." Hermione nodded, her eyes closed and breathed shallow as Draco removed his hand. "Besides, I enjoy watching your reactions." He moved her back into her seat.

"Prat." She said as she took another deep breath to calm herself.

"Of course." Draco smirked.

"Then how about you and your mother come to the Burrow on Christmas. I'm sure the Weasleys will want to meet my soulmate and we both know I am not ready to go to the Manor."

"Works with me."

"Good, come to this village," She wrote the name of the village beside the Burrow down. "And Ginny will meet you and bring you up to the Burrow."

"Sounds perfect." Draco said, giving her a quick peck, separating before they followed the heat that was coursing through them.

"Ginny! Hermione!" Molly greeted them as they entered the Burrow after returning for Hogwarts.

"Hi mum." Ginny said, hugging her.

"How was school?" Molly asked as she hugged Hermione.

"Good," Hermione answered. "We both found our soulmates."

"Oh, good, who are they?" Molly asked, motioning for them to help her with dinner.

"They are coming over Christmas." Ginny replied. "That way everyone can met at once. Luna is too."

"Oh, well then, I better make sure the food is ready." Molly said as Ron and Harry entered the kitchen.

"Welcome back!" Ron said, hugging Hermione, frowning slightly.

"Thank you," Hermione said, hugging Harry.

"We were just explaining to mum how we found our soulmates." Ginny informed the boys who both looked surprised.
"Who are they?" Harry asked.

"You'll find out on Christmas," Molly told them. "Now go set the table, and call your brothers down. Since the girls are home we are ready for dinner." Hermione and Ginny chuckled as they each picked up a dish and helped Molly take the food to the table.

The next few days passed fairly quickly, with lots of questions from the boys about the soulmates. "Who are they?" Ron practically whined on Christmas Eve.

"You'll find out tomorrow." Hermione reassured him, not even looking up from her book.

"Why won't you give us a hint?" Harry asked, moving his chess piece before getting Ron's attention for his turn.

"Because," Ginny smirked. "It's a surprise, and trust me, it'll be a fun one."

"Are you happy?" Ron asked.

"Of course," Hermione said. "Isn't that the point of the potion? To find the person you were meant to be with?"

"Doesn't mean you'd be happy." Ron muttered. Molly, who was walking behind him, smacked the back of his head.

"You will meet the mystery men tomorrow, for now behave yourself." She fussed. "You know better than to act like this." Ron just grumbled as Hermione and Ginny hid their laughter.

The next day Hermione helped Molly set up the kitchen for their guests while Ginny went into the Village to collect the Malfoys and Longbottoms. "Hello Mrs. Weasley." Luna said as she entered the house.

"Hello Luna, how was school?" Molly asked the blond girl.

"Ok, I still haven't found my soulmate." Luna sighed.

"Oh I'm sorry, neither have any of my boys sadly." Molly sighed as well. "But at least we get to meet Hermine and Ginny's today."

"That's why I'm here." Luna said, spotting Ginny through the window. "Oh, looks like they are here."

"Come on," Hermione said, blocking Molly's view. "Into the living room." Molly led Luna into the living room as Hermione opened the door.

"Hello Mrs. Malfoy, Mrs. Longbottom." Hermoine greeted the women, not missing the stiffening Narcissa did as Draco walked over to Hermione.

"Mother, may I introduce my soulmate, Hermione Granger."

"Miss Granger." Narcissa ground out.

"Come, meet the rest of the family." Ginny told Neville as she took his hand and led him into the living room.

In the living room the Weasleys and Luna sat waiting, Luna watching the boys with a thoughtful expression. "Everyone, you know Neville." Ginny said as they entered the room.

"Neville!" The Weasleys cheered.

"Great man sis." George said, before everyone froze.

"Everyone, you know Draco." Hermione said, watching Ron and Harry's faces. First confusion, then anger, and then the looks from Molly and Arthur were the only things keeping them from yelling.

"Well, welcome to the family." Molly said, getting up and hugging Neville then, hesitantly, hugging Draco.

"Is this true?" Ron said, as Molly and Narcissa shook hands and Arthur shook Neville and Draco's hands.

"Ronald." Molly said, shooting her youngest son a look.

"What? We all know how well they got along in the past, and what happened at the Manor."

"You also know the potion dictated who our soulmates are." Hermione said. "Do you think I would accept it blindly?" Ron just shrugged. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Come on Draco, you have to see your father."

"Oh that'll be a sight." Ron laughed. "Have fun losing your money Malfoy!" Ron called as Hermione ushered the Malfoys out of the house and to the apparition point.

"That…" Narcissa started but took a deep breath. "Sorry, hello again Miss Granger." She said as they entered Azkaban.

"Mrs. Malfoy, I'm sure this came as a shock to you." Hermione said, handing her wand to the guard.

"Oh it was, but at least the adult Weasleys handled it with respect." Narcissa said.

"I was actually expecting a bigger response from them." Draco commented as they sat at a table and waited for Lucius to be brought out. Draco leaned over and whispered in Hermione's ear. "I also have a present for you when we return to the Burrow, I wanted to give it to you in person." Hermione blushed and nodded with a swallow. Draco straightened and took Hermione's hand as the door opened and Lucius walked in.

"My my, I see I have an extra guest today." He said, his grey eyes glaring at Hermione.

"Mister Malfoy, how is Azkaban treating you on this visit?" Hermoine asked.

"Why are you here Miss Granger? I never thought I would see you outside of that trail."

"Well, father," Draco said. "I am sure you have read the papers and know of the potion the Ministry distributed." Lucius looked at the couple then laughed.

"You have got to be kidding me? A mudblood is your soulmate?" Luciius had to stop to cough, only to return to laughing. "I always knew you would be the downfall to our family Draco. A mudblood? Really?" Hermione squeezed Draco's hand as anger flared in his eyes. Draco took a deep breath before smirking at his father.
"Evidently the potion decided it was time to prove you wrong." Draco said, removing his hand from Hermione's grasp and putting in on her leg, watching his father look at her when she gasped. "You know Theo and Daphne got paired together," Draco moved his hand, causing Hermione to take deep breathes trying to calm herself. "What does it say that they were paired with purebloods but I got paired with a muggleborn. A bright, beautiful muggleborn." He squeezed as Lucius' glare deepened.

"Draco." Narcissa warned.

"It's okay mother," Draco said, removing his hand from Hermione and placing it around her waist. "I know how to keep my woman happy." He said beside her ear, making her shiver. "Now, Merry Christmas father." With that Draco stood up and helped Hermione up. "We should go, mother I will see you at the Manor." Narcissa said her goodbye as the young couple left the room.

They apperated back to the Burrow, Hermione taking a sigh of relief as they touched the grass. "Was that too much?" Draco asked, searching her face.
"I was expecting it to be worse." Hermione admitted. "Now, you said you have a gift for me?" She asked. Draco smiled as he pulled out a box from his coat pocket. Inside was a locket shaped like a book. "I figured you would not wear a lot of jewelry but I wanted you to have something to show you are mine." Hermione smiled as she turned and moved her hair so that he could put the necklace on for her, gasping as his fingers touched her neck and his breath warmed her.

"Thank you." Hermione said, turning back to him.

"Of course, I should go," Draco said, looking up at the house, Hermione looked too and groaned. Ron and Harry were standing at the door watching them. "Should I kiss you goodbye or will that be too much for them."

"Let them pout." Hermione said, giving Draco a kiss and smirking as she turned to the house. "I'll see you later."

"Have a good holiday." Draco said before apperating away.