She felt a dip in the bed and opened her eyes. She smiled and rolled closer to him, "Good Morning." She whispered and frowned touching her throat.

"Here, try this." He said and handed her a tea cup.

She sat up and brought it to her nose, "tea with honey and lemon." He said.

She blew on the top and took a tentative sip of the brew. She swallowed and smiled, "thank you." she whispered.

He watched her with dark eyes and scolded himself for wanting her again. She looked so sexy, so innocent with the sheet held in place on her chest with one hand, her hair mussed, but not insane, her lips still slightly swollen from last night's activities (he had taken her again in the dark of the night after she had wiggled her tight little bum against him).

She scooted over and patted the spot next to her. He moved gracefully into that spot and started planting soft kisses on her bare skin.

"Marcus, Is everything all right?" she asked scratching her fingers through his hair, while he loved on her.

He nodded and smiled when the sheet slipped to her stomach.

She blushed as he softly kissed the side of her breast and palmed the other.

They made love again slowly, his movements long and slow, filling her as deeply as her body would allow.

His chest and shoulders exposed her for a wanton witch pressing her fingernails into his skin urging him to continue, to give her more.

She arched her back and sighed as she climaxed, her inner walls pulsing tightly around him. He couldn't go on and gave in to the sensations of her body milking his, drawing from him his essence.

He rolled to the side pulling her with him; he murmured a contraceptive spell and closed his eyes.

They slept for another hour until they heard Pucey banging on the door, "Wake Up, I've made breakfast… and Mya's cavalry are here."

They got cleaned up and dressed, she put Draco's sweats back on as she didn't have any other clothes and wasn't familiar with transfiguring clothes shrinking to fit.

They walked out, his large warm hand on the small of her back, "Hey." She whispered. She sounded better.

Harry walked over and hugged her lifting her off her feet, "I'm so sorry, Mione." He said

"Why? You didn't do anything." She replied.

"I shouldn't have even gone over to the Burrow or brought him back to Grimmauld… I…"

She held up her hand and sighed, "Not your fault." She said as clearly as she could, her voice hoarse.

He nodded and walked with her to the table, when she saw the forlorn looks of guilt and sympathy plastered on their faces she stopped. They stood and started to walk to her, but she held her hands out to stop them in a frustrated manner, "I am fine. I just got scared is all. He didn't have time to do anything; you saved me. I love you guys and I can't thank you enough for coming for me, but I don't need you feeling guilty and I don't need to be coddled!" she snipped.

Mind you, they were listening to her tell them she was fine and watching as her hands shake slightly, the bruises still present on her throat and listening to her hoarse voice crack under the pressure of her scolding.

Draco smirked, but he approached her anyway, "I still want a hug Mya." He told her. She obliged.

Marcus pulled her away from Draco gently and sat her on his lap for breakfast, he had already eaten and wasn't willing to let her go anytime soon; fiercely possessive, that was Marcus.

"I don't get a chair of my own?" she asked joking… a little.

He looked at her and kissed her nose. He fought the strong urge to say no and picked her up instead.

He set her back down on the chair – alone and stood behind it.

She just looked at him. She knew he was fighting with himself and smiled at him, "thanks." She said thinking baby steps

Pucey brought his tea cup up to his mouth to hide the smirk at his flat mate's behavior.

She looked at Draco after a few bites, "Hey, we should go over to Surrey and … and…" she didn't know, she just knew that she was excited about it.

"Live in it for a few hours?" he finished chuckling at her.

"Yeah." She smiled.

"Sorry dear, my father's having something fixed or redone or something."

"Why aren't you sitting for your NEWTs sooner?" Adrian asked of Hermione and Draco.

They looked at each other, but it was Harry who spoke, "Because they don't want to leave us behind." He snapped annoyed that the older wizard would plant the seed.

Hermione giggled at his indignation, "I have already thought about it Harry, but you're right. I would miss you too much."

He raised his eyebrows in triumph to Adrian who looked at a slightly glowering Marcus.

Harry went back to his breakfast.

Adrian, apparently full of questions this morning, asked, "Malfoy have you given your father your marriage prospects yet?"

Draco paused mid bite and looked at Adrian who smirked.

Hermione looked slightly confused, "Marriage prospects?"

When no one said anything, not even Harry (he didn't look confused in the least) she turned and looked at Marcus for explanation.

He huffed and explained, "Traditionally, wizards must submit marriage prospects – witches we think we would be compatible with – by the spring of our seventh year. Our fathers will then meet with us to narrow down the list.

They obtain approval for us to enter into courtship with the family's daughter. After the summer of courting we again, meet with our fathers to narrow the list down to one or two. If it's one, we negotiate a contract and will marry within two years of both family patriarchs signing it. If we choose more than one, we have another six months to make our choice.

At any time the witch can terminate the courtship for any reason." He explained.

"Did you know, Harry?" she asked.

He nodded.

She tilted her head and looked at him. It was the way he nodded…"Sirius?" she asked.

He nodded again.

"Have you?" she asked again. These half sentences were driving Pucey nutters.

He nodded.

"What?" Adrian asked wanting to know details – he was a nosy wizard.

She let her eyes linger on Harry before she explained, "Sirius is acting as his marriage …consult?" she said not knowing the right word, "and Harry has already given Sirius his choice."

Blaise spoke, "Pansy."

Harry nodded trying to keep his mouth from curving into a smile, he was unsuccessful.

Draco smiled, "Have you heard anything yet?"

"No. Sirius is supposed to contact the Parkinson's today."

"Only Pansy?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, only Pansy." He said and rolled his eyes at her expression, it was one of those 'awwwww'.

Draco snorted.

She focused her eyes on him, "Astoria?"

"She's only a fifth year." He complained.

"Are there rules to picking a …prospect?" she asked Adrian. Marcus was still standing behind her with his hands on her chair.

"Yes, but they wouldn't affect Draco's choice of a fifth year. The prospect must be 14 years or older." He answered.

Draco mumbled something, "What was that?" she asked smiling.

He sighed, "I've already told father."

"Does Asti know?" Blaise asked.

Draco shook his head and Hermione smacked him, "Why not?"

"I told you why." He snapped.

She shook her head, "She thinks you aren't interested."

He looked at her, "How could she think that? I sit by her every single prefect meeting we have, I mean I even seat her. I smile when I see her and … and…"

Blaise interrupted, "Have you actually spoken to her?"

"Yes, I called her." He said quietly.

Harry looked over, "at night? With no one else around? Did you do the 20 questions thing?"

Draco blushed and nodded.

"You don't talk to her. On the phone at night doesn't count. You should at least talk to her during meal times." Blaise advised.

Draco got angry then, feeling like he was being attacked by the group, "Oh you're one to give advice, right? You're doing so well with your wife banging half of Hogwarts and here you are pining and tripping all over yourself in love with Mya! Yeah, Blaise, I'm listening to you." he raged.

Marcus' expression darkened considerably and his grip on the chair tightened revealing the shiny whites of his knuckles, but it was Mya who stood and glared down at her blonde friend (Harry and Blaise moved away from Draco), "We encourage you because we know how much you like her. We don't want to see you unhappy, but can you accept that gracefully?" she ranted hoarsely her eyes burning in anger.

"No! You turn into a shit and make everyone else around you feel uncomfortable or hurt. In one fell swoop, Malfoy, you hurt Blaise's feelings, made me extremely uncomfortable, amused Pucey to no end, and now Marcus is reminded of… of…" she was too angry to say more so she pulled her wand.

Draco put his hands up to stop her, "Wait Wait Wait, I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He said backing away.

"Not good enough! Percutio!" she said sending a shock to his thigh.

He screamed like a girl and moved quickly to hide. He wasn't fast enough, "Percutio. Percutio." She said aiming her wand at his back side and arms.

Marcus had stepped into the kitchen with Pucey and just watched her fire painful electric shocks at Draco.

"Are you in love yet?" Adrian asked watching Marcus' face transform from angry to proud.

"You have no idea." Marcus answered.

"Hermione!" Harry called.

"What?"

"That's enough." He said coming out of hiding with Blaise.

Draco popped his head from behind the couch, "I'm sorry. You're right, I should talk to her."

"Thank you." she said and walked around the couch to pull him up and give him a hug.

"We love you, don't be so mean." She whispered to him.

He gaped at her, "Me?" She giggled.

Harry, Blaise and Draco got up to leave; they were playing Quidditch at Malfoy Manor. She gave them each a hug.

Blaise lingered a second too long and Marcus scowled.

"I'm lunching with mother today, but I promised I would help her shop for something…" he said, "See you later."
"Oh Adrian, we're going out on Saturday." She said

He smiled, "just us, love? I didn't know you cared."

She looked at him, "all of us." She deadpanned.

He snickered and nodded and apperated.

She turned to Marcus and looked up into his eyes. He picked her up wrapping her legs around his waist; he captured her lips and held her tightly.

"You were so sexy hexing Malfoy, Goddess, how I want you." he whispered

He took her up against the wall in a frenzied moment of passion. He was gentle with her, but still conveyed the urgency he felt.

She loved it.

She needed to go back over to Grimmauld Place to get her package and talk to Remus and Sirius. Marcus went with her.

"Sirius?" she called, her voice sounding close to normal.

"Kitten?"

He came walking around the corner with a smile; it faltered slightly when he saw Marcus and she felt Marcus stiffen.

"How're you feeling Kitten?" he asked embracing her.

Remus waiting patiently.

"I'm good. I wanted to thank you both… for… um" she had tears in her eyes.

"No no no…" Remus said pulling her into a hug and kissing her cheek, "Okay?" he asked

She nodded and backed up into Marcus, who slipped his arms around her waist.

They moved into the library and Sirius offered Marcus a fire whiskey, which he took with a quiet thank you.

"What's happened to him?" she asked.

Remus and Sirius shared a look. Remus spoke, "Well … after Sirius and I dropped him at St. Mungo's the twins and Charlie came to pay him a visit. They left him … well some of the spells the twins came up with are unknown to St. Mungo's so Ron will be in constant pain until the twins forgive him."

"I should go talk to them." She said

Marcus looked at her, but didn't say anything. The last thing he wanted her to do was get Weasley off the hook.

Her hand unconsciously searched for his; he moved quickly to enfold her small hand in his.

"Why don't you wait, Kitten? No need to ease his suffering right away."

"I don't understand why he did it. Do you?" she asked

They were silent until Marcus spoke, "He thought he had a chance. Malfoy says he stares at you constantly. You and Potter don't talk to him that much anymore and when you threw him the bone about the Canons, he thought you were giving him another chance; that coupled with Potter going over there that day.

Then you rejected him. Rejection does crazy things to people's heads, makes them feel hopeless and isolated." Marcus said this last sentence looking at Sirius.

She squeezed his hand bringing his focus back to her compassionate eyes, "Princess, I'll wait for you outside, I need some air."

He walked away quickly and she was about to go after him Sirius touched her shoulder, "let me." he said and she sat back down.

Sirius walked outside to see Marcus light a cigarette. He didn't say anything as he went to stand next to the large wizard.

Marcus offered him a cigarette by showing pack to him and tilting it. Sirius took one and lit it with his wand.

After a moment of the two men smoking Marcus spoke, "I never thanked you." he said quietly still looking straight ahead.

"You didn't need to." Sirius responded

Marcus looked down and flicked the cigarette away, "Yes, I do. What we did…"

"shhh. No need to speak of it now, Marcus." Sirius turned to look at the young wizard.

"Just do me a favor, take care of Hermione. She's special. You love her?"

Marcus nodded.

"Good, cause she adores you. I've never seen her look at anyone the way she looks at you. Treat her right – or you'll answer to me." Sirius warned and Marcus nodded.

She had gathered her things and hugged Remus; making her way to the hallway she passed Sirius, "Love you kitten. Take care." He said and ran up to his room for a shower he said, "Have a date!"

She walked out, "Marcus?" she called.

"Here, Princess." He said coming up the side of the building.

"Okay?" she asked walking into his arms.

He nuzzled the top of her head, "yep." Everything would be perfect as long as she remained in his arms or by his side… he preferred in his arms.

The next few days they spent as much time together as they could. Marcus was helping prepare the office for sale and Hermione was helping them pack up the house.

Saturday came quickly and Hermione floo'd over to the Greengrasses to get ready. She stumbled in and met Pansy, Daphne and Astoria.

They hugged her in a girls group hug and Pansy broke out first, "Guess what?"

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Sirius black and my father signed a contract; Harry and I are getting married in two years from May!"

Hermione was shocked; it happened so fast, "Oh Pansy that is wonderful! Congrats."

Pansy explained further, "So once we graduate, Daphne and I will get our certifications and open our school and by that time Harry and I will be ready to marry!" she said hopping up and down.

She gave her friend another tight hug and noticed Astoria, was smiling, but it wasn't quite reaching her eyes.

"I have a secret, but I'm requiring a witches oath before I say a word." Hermione said.

The girls agreed (of course) and Hermione giggled, "Okay… Lucius Malfoy is entering into negotiations with your father." She said, but didn't get the response she was expecting.

"You knew already?" Hermione asked.

Daphne spoke, "Draco wants to court me?" she asked worried.

Hermione smiled, "No, he wants to marry Asti."

The younger girl jumped up and screamed – now that was the response Hermione was expecting.

Daphne was relieved and happy for her sister.

The witches got ready for their night out, chatting and giggling like girls do. They were all going to meet up at Malfoy Manor and leave together from there.

Of course they were already a little tipsy as they had opened a bottle of wine while they were primping for the evening.

"You know, I'm much more graceful in heels when I've had a glass of wine. Why do you think that is?" Hermione asked

The girls erupted in a fit of giggles and shrugged.

"Hey, have we ever tried going two through the floo at the same time?" Pansy asked.

Daphne the voice of calm, "Is that allowed?"

"Why wouldn't it be, mothers don't let their babies floo alone." Hermione rationalized.

They couldn't think of a logical argument against that so they decided to try it, especially since they were laden with liquid courage.

Before Hermione knew what was going on, Pansy and Daphne had shoved her and Astoria into the floo and called out Malfoy Manor.

The girls screamed and ended up tumbling out of the floo in a heap of witch, "Ooomph!"

Conversation had ended of course when the less than graceful duo landed on the floor, but before anyone could speak (exactly three seconds later) Daphne and Pansy came tumbling out (screaming) and falling on top of the smaller witches making the witch pile taller.

Draco, Harry and Marcus looked at each, Adrian and Blaise snorted Greg just shook his head.

The girls erupted into a fit of giggles before they stood up and cast a quick spell to right themselves.

"Who's stupid idea was that anyway?" Hermione asked from the bottom of the pile.

"Pansy." The other two girls deadpanned in unison.

Marcus was snickering and pulled his witch up and helped the others as well. He looked her over and groaned.

Draco pulled Astoria up and lead her away from the floo, "You look perfect, Asti."

She smiled, "thanks."

He didn't let go of her hand and she chanced a quick look to Mya met her gaze and turned to hide her smirk.

Neither Draco nor Marcus caught the exchange, but Pansy did and when she met Hermione's she pointed to fingers as she were poking both eyes with a jab, then flipped her hand around to point at her own two eyes – the meaning, 'I'm watching you'

Hermione shrugged helplessly and looked up to see Marcus watching the two. They pasted smiled on their faces and turned around.

"Are we ready?" Blaise asked looking at the all the sexy and taken witches in the room and sighed.

"Let's go." Draco said leading the way to the apparition point.