Short chapter...but I think it's what you've all been waiting patiently for. Again - thanks for ALL of the amazing reviews. They make me want to write these chapters faster for you all to enjoy!

Hermione fell asleep before Draco, her hands still clutched to his arm. He could think of no greater feeling than what he was experiencing right now as he felt her shallow breaths against his forearm. Draco could hardly resist planting a feathered kiss against her shoulders every now and then. Each time his lips touched her skin, he felt her snuggle with a satisfied hum. They talked - Hermione mostly - until nearly two in the morning before she nodded off. His head was running a muck with everything that fell from her lips, sometimes so quickly he had to force his brain to process the information faster. He would squeeze her softly when her speaking quickened as a way to calm her, which seemed to work for the most part.

Draco admired her ability to love people regardless of their flaws. As she told him about Ron, he pushed aside his feelings of jealousy. Hermione told him when how devastated she was when he didn't pluck up the courage to ask her to the Yule Ball during 4th year; how she felt as if her heart would tear in half when she saw the horrifying display of Lavender Brown snogging him senseless after Ron's debut as the Gryffindor Keeper. Hermione acknowledged Ron's faults from his insecurities about her relationship with Harry to his inability to dig his heels in deep and act like a man when life got hard. Much like Ginny said about Harry, Hermione said little about her time with Harry alone during the war. She did, however, admit that she realized Harry was a horcrux after the diadem was destroyed.

"Every time we shattered one, it was if there was something inside of him tearing his insides apart. He would see flashes of Voldermort in the same sort of pain," she said. "Then I remembered the prophecy - and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not … and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives, and it made sense."

"Did he know you knew?"

She shook her head no. "Not at first. After Snape…after Harry took his memories and looked through them in the pensieve, he came to tell Ron and I goodbye. He approached me, looking nervous as he wiped the blood from his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket and said, 'I know what I have to do - and I suppose you know as well.' I was so scared…I offered to go with him but he refused. I'd spent the past three years - from the moment his name was pulled from the Goblet of Fire afraid that he would die and then the moment came."

He realized Ginny was right as Hermione spoke about Harry. The two of them shared a closeness unlike any other two people either had ever known. They relied so much on each other that it was impossible to separate their emotions. He envied their friendship. Draco would have given anything to have a friend growing up with Harry's bravery and Hermione's loyalty.

Hermione stirred in her sleep, whimpering. Concerned, Draco shifted a bit, moving a hand so he could softly run his fingers through her hair. "No…no…" she mumbled, her body trembling.

"Shhh," he cooed. Draco was aware he was taking a chance of bodily harm, letting her sleep in his bed, but he wanted her to stay. "Hermione, you're safe," he whispered.

"Don't leave me," she cried softly, her eyes still shut. "Please, please, no!"

"Shhh, you're ok," Draco whispered. He held her tighter until he could feel her calming down. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, his lips lingering. She shuddered against his touch, waking herself from the nightmare. Rolling over, she stayed in Draco's arms as he loosened his hold, allowing her to move. "Hi," he whispered.

"Hi," she whispered back. "I didn't mean to wake you - "

"I wasn't asleep," he spoke softly.

"Oh," Hermione mumbled. "I should go then, you should get some sleep - " Draco held onto her, shaking his head. Rolling onto his back, he pulled her against him. She hesitated for a moment, before resting her head on his bare chest, tucking her head under his chin. "Ok then," she whispered.

Draco yawned. "Go to sleep, dear."

"I have nightmares," Hermione confessed.

"I know." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Go back to sleep. I'll keep you safe."

She nodded into his chest, closing her eyes as she fell back asleep. Once Draco felt her breathing evening out, he too, found himself in a slumber. Much later that morning, Hermione stirred at the sounds of birds chirping out of her window. Groaning, she tried to roll over with little success. Cracking an eye open, she saw a bare chest with an arm around her waist. She had a leg draped over him, her nightdress hiked dangerously high against her thigh. Despite the nightmare, which Draco ended before it got too out of hand, it was the best night of sleep she had in weeks.

Hermione dragged a finger lightly across Draco's abdomen, following the lines of his defined muscles. She strayed dangerously close to the top of his pants. She'd thought about having sex with Draco every so often, most recently last night when he walked into the bathroom without a shirt on. Now she was using that very same chest as a pillow, and it inadvertently made her toes curl.

Safety. Contentment. Peace. She felt all of these things as Hermione wrapped an arm around Draco. Hermione looked up at him as she felt his arm tighten. The only other person who had ever made her feel safe was Harry, but it was different. With Harry, she could feel his desperation and fear when he protected her, because much like her - they couldn't stomach the thought of losing one another. He felt the need to protect her because of her loyalty to him, because there came a point where most days, all they had was each other. Hermione felt comfort the few times Ron held her, but Hermione also knew that if the moment came, she'd be protecting Ron before he could locate his wand.

Lying in Draco's arms, she realized that everything she'd wished for, everything her father told her to look for in a man, was right underneath her. Her father always said to look for a man who knew when to hold her, when to love her, and when to tell her she was being outright ridiculous. Her father told her to look for a man who could laugh with her and hold her when she cried. To look for a man who understood her value, and that it only increased over time.

Everything her father told her to find she found while lying in Draco's arms.

Each time Draco felt the tips of her delicate fingers graze the skin below his belly button, it took everything he had in him not to roll over on top of Hermione and show her exactly what she did to him. If this was how every morning would be, both of them would have to quit working, he thought to himself, because he wouldn't allow them to ever leave the bedroom. Cracking an eye open, Draco nearly lost his mind as he felt her hot breath while she kissed his skin, catching a glimpse of her incredibly exposed thigh. He watched her fingers drag close to the waistband of his pants and his breath hitched.

"You're awake," she murmured.

"Yeah," his voice said, somewhat strangled.

She dipped an index finger under the elastic band of his pants, dragging a nail along his soft skin. Hermione had yet to be this bold with Draco, but as she stayed nestled against him, she didn't find it awkward or intimidating. The handful of times she had sex with Ron after the war weren't exactly moments where Hermione found herself to be proud. She had no idea what she was doing half the time, and anytime she asked Ron for help, or what he wanted, he would roll his eyes and tell her to quit yapping so much. The first time she and Ron had sex, Hermione sat up in bed, trying to figure out the best way to straddle Ron without seeming like a complete dolt.

"What in the bloody hell are you waiting for?" Ron asked.

She bit her lip, staring at his erection. Hermione had read about them, of course, but seeing one in person embarrassed her, even if it was Ron. It was also her first time, and all the reading in the world couldn't quite prepare her for what she should expect. "I'm not really quite sure - I mean, obviously I know what to do - but I'm nervous and I don't want to do something wrong and - "

"Fucking hell," Ron groaned. He roughly pulled her on top of him, holding the base of his dick with his hand. He forced it between her folds, finding her entrance. His hands back on her hips, he looked at her, irritated. "Just sit on my dick, Hermione. It's not a goddamn exam - it's sex."

Before she could say anything, he forced her down on top of him, her cries of pain ignored. She looked up and willed her tears away as he clumsily pumped inside of her. It didn't take long for him to cum - it never took him long. When it was all said and done, he would pull out of her and roll to his side of the bed, satiated enough to pass out for the evening. Hermione would lie, close to the edge on her side of the bed, telling herself next time would be better.

"Hermione?"

Draco's voice brought her back. The arm he had wrapped around moved, as his hand began to stroke the back of her head. "Yes?"

"I don't want to do anything you aren't ready for."

She removed her hand, her cheeks blushing a Gryffindor shade of red. She rolled away from him, grabbing the pillow and hugging it to her chest. "Sorry," she muttered.

Confused, Draco rolled on his side, trying to roll Hermione back to face him, but she wouldn't budge. "Hermione, what's wrong? What did I say?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. I'm sorry - I didn't mean -"

"To what, completely turn me on?" Draco joked.

Hermione looked over her shoulder, his tired face wearing a smirk that only he could get away with. "I'm sorry," she confessed. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

Draco pulled her over so she was lying on her back, her head properly resting on a pillow. He leaned in and placed a row of kisses from her exposed collarbone, slowly trailing up her neck. He kissed her slowly against her jawline as he crawled on top of her. The feeling of his erection against her stomach through his pants released a warm sensation between Hermione's legs. She'd never felt this way before. Each kiss rendered her speechless. His hands pressed into the mattress, holding him up so he didn't completely crush her by the time Draco's lips found her mouth.

Hermione was certain she felt apart of his soul touch her. She pulled him closer, her hands behind his neck, moaning each time he deepened the kiss. "There is nothing wrong with you," Draco said, lightly biting her lip. "You're perfect. All of you."

"I'm hardly perfect," she whispered, her body blushing.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered, moving a hand to the strap of her nightgown. He placed a kiss on her shoulder as he pulled the strap away. Her breathing jumped as he did the same to the other strap, willingly moving her arms free. "Tell me to stop, Hermione."

"I don't…want you to stop. I just…"

Draco stared at Hermione, sensing hesitation. "Do you trust me?"

She nodded. "I do…"

"We don't have to do anything," he said, kissing her softly. "We can just do this. Whatever you want, Hermione…I will make it happen."

She bit her lip. Taking a breath, she spoke quickly as she exhaled. "I'm not any good at this."

"At what?" Draco asked.

Hermione arched her eyebrows. "You know…" she motioned to the two of them. He still wasn't getting it. "Sex!" she hissed.

He wanted to bark out laughing, but knew if he did, Hermione would most likely never go near him again. She would think she was bad at sex. Merlin only knew why - with the way she kissed and the way her fingers teased him so, he was pretty sure he was in for the morning of his life. He kissed the tip of her nose, resting his forehead against hers. "You said you trust me, right?" he asked softly.

She nodded. "Yes," Hermione barely heard herself speak.

Straddling her, Draco sat up, his weight mostly on his knees. Reaching for the bottom of her nightdress, he locked eyes with her for a second before slowly pulling the gown up and over her head. "I promise," he said, admiring her body. "You will be amazing."

He palmed her breasts, delighted at how perfectly they fit in each hand. He slid down her, straddling her legs so he could plant kisses down her chest, lightly sucking her taut skin with each kiss. He knew she wasn't a virgin, but if her only sexual experience was with Ron - he realized that it probably wasn't anything more than an experience she'd like to forget. Draco slipped a finger underneath the fabric of her red panties and grinned at how wet she was. She gasped as he sought out her center, tantalizingly rubbing it as he placed kisses around her belly button. He felt her arch her back as she groaned his name. He moved his thumb to her hypersensitive center and slowly slid in his middle and ring finger inside of her.

"Sweet Merlin!" she yelped, her hands clenching the sheets. He pumped her faster with his fingers as ecstasy took over her face. Hermione felt a burning sensation in her abdomen like she'd never felt before. This was it, she thought to herself. This was all of her girlfriends would talk about when they'd gossip in the dormitories about their boyfriends and what they did behind hidden corridors. This was what she read about in the all books. "Draco I - I -I can't - Draco!"

His erection was painful as he heard her cries, but he wanted her to let go. "Cum for me," he said.

"I can't, I can't," she panted.

He sped up his hand, his thumb pressing into her clitoris as he rubbed it with everything he had. "Let go, Hermione," he begged. "Let go."

Her breathing was labored, but she closed her eyes and let the orgasm overcome her. She cried out in pleasure, her hands squeezing her breasts as she felt her release. Draco watched her entire body relax, his fingers and thumb slowly their motions as she rode out the rest of her orgasm. It was the sexiest thing he had ever seen in his life.

It took her a minute to get her wits about her. When she did, Hermione propped herself up on her elbows and looked at Draco, who was entirely too impressed with himself. She let out a laugh. "Not to inflate what I can already see to be a gigantic ego - but that was fucking amazing."

He stood up, licking the taste of her off of his fingers. Shedding his pants, Hermione swallowed hard at the sight of his erection. Draco looked at Hermione and could see the gears churning in her head. He was aware he was well endowed, and knew exactly what she was thinking. Crawling back into bed, he grabbed a pillow and lifted Hermione's hips, settling the pillow underneath her. Slowly, he pulled her panties down until they were in a wad on the floor with the rest of their clothing.

Hermione wrapped her arms around his chest, pulling herself towards him as she gave him a kiss. "I need to tell you something," she whispered.

"Anything," he said, kissing her back.

"I've never, I mean, I've only ever been on top you see…and I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing and when I said I wasn't any good at this, I meant this part," she blurted. "All I remember…it was um, uncomfortable."

She was exposing herself to him, and Draco felt his chest tighten. "We don't have to -"

"I want to," she said quickly. "After what you just did - I want to. More than anything."

Draco felt his erection slip between her folds. He glided it between her warmth slowly, watching Hermione's face as it teased her entrance. "We'll go slow," he whispered in her ear. When he felt her nod against his cheek, he carefully pushed the tip of his dick inside of her. She gasped, kneading her fingers in his back. Draco pulled out a little bit before pushing in slowly, a bit further than before. He did this several times, her breath hitching with each entrance, until he found himself completely inside her. Draco moaned at how tight her walls felt around him. "Merlin, Hermione," he grunted. He looked at her face and could tell she was uncomfortable. He quickly pulled out a little bit but he felt her hands press into his back.

"I want you," she said. "All of you. Please."

He crushed his mouth to hers, their lips and tongues devouring one another as he slowly thrust inside of her. They quickly found their rhythm; slow and steady before Hermione egged him on to pick up the pace. What once felt uncomfortable was now creating a friction of excitement again in Hermione's lower abdomen. She didn't think it was possible to feel this way more than once, but as Draco's thrusts became quicker, she knew it wasn't a fluke.

"Draco," she moaned. "I need you."

"You have me," he groaned, moving his hips as he plunged into her again and again.

"Harder," she moaned. "Please Draco…please."

He rid himself of caution and braced his hands against the mattress. He thrust himself into her as she met him halfway, rotating her hips with each movement. "Hermione," he panted over and over again. He was going to cum any second as he felt her insides clench around him.

"Draco I'm going to cum again!" she exclaimed. "Draco! Faster!"

He quickened his pace. "Fuck!" he shouted, cuming inside of her as he frantically thrust. He could see her orgasm again as she arched her back so she could take all of him. "Hermione," he groaned, thrusting the rest of his orgasm inside her.

Collapsing on top of her, Draco and Hermione inhaled deeply as they held onto each other. Draco pressed kisses into her neck as she played with the back of his hair, their breathing slowing down. "That was amazing," Hermione said breathlessly.

Slowly, Draco pulled out and rolled off of Hermione, resting next to her on his side. Grabbing the sheet, he pulled it up over them. He stared at her big brown eyes and felt him melt. "You're amazing."

She leaned in and kissed him softly. Resting a hand on his cheek, she blinked back the tears she felt pooling in her eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice breaking.

"For what?" Draco asked. He reached for her hand on his face and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

A tear slipped down her cheek. "For making me feel like I'm worth it."