Holy cow...I can't believe there are 11 chapters to this story already. Friends in town this weekend...and next week is my last week at work before I kick it to the sandy beaches of Florida for a week. I apologize for the sporadic updating that will more than likely occur.

The entire city of London was swimming in snow on Christmas morning. Wizard and Muggle reports alike were both saying how they hadn't seen a snow this big in at least half a century. Of course, large snows didn't ever really affect the wizarding world – considering their main methods of transportation involved apparating, floos, port keys, and brooms. Draco sat in the window seat of the bedroom, sipping coffee as he looked outside. The streets were perfectly blanketed with snow, a picture perfect scene like Draco had seen on the fronts of Muggle holiday cards that had been sent to Hermione from friends of her parents.

He glanced over at Hermione, who was peacefully sleeping without any sort of comfort or repositioning on Draco's part. A muggle picture of her and her parents sat on her nightstand, taken right after she received her O.W.L scores. Next to the picture of her and her parents was a picture Ginny snapped of the two of them a few weeks after Albus was born. They were laughing as Draco held baby Albus and Hermione held James on her back. Draco loved how his house somehow transformed into a home that looked as staged as one in a magazine to a home that looked lived in, with all of Hermione's belongings somehow meshing with his in a way that neither looked awkward or out of place. It was as if even their things had found a way to blend together, much like they had with each other.

Hermione shifted in her sleep, exhaling a sweet sigh. Draco knew he didn't deserve anyone half as great as Hermione. When he realized that a serious relationship with a muggle woman while in University would have led to an incredibly complicated existence and that he couldn't marry a witch because the ones that wanted to still cling to the idea of pureblood supremacy, he assumed he'd be alone. Which he made peace with – being alone left him without any responsibility to anyone but himself.

But then he'd see Harry and Ginny together, and would envy how in even in the most public of settings they had a sense of intimacy with stolen glances, or an ever so slight quirk of a lip. Draco once told Harry why he chose to be alone early in their budding friendship, and it was a sentiment Harry related to. Harry told him how Ginny told him to date other girls while she finished her final year at Hogwarts, that she wanted him to be sure that it was him that wanted to marry her and not the emotions of everything they'd been through.

"But I could never bring myself to do it," Harry said. "I loved Ginny. I love her still, more every day," Harry said as the two chatted away in the cafeteria of the Ministry. "I think Ginny was afraid that I was settling for her. I'm also fairly convinced she thinks Hermione and I had a thing at one point."

Draco laughed. "I think everyone's thought that at one point."

"There was a moment, right after Ron left. We were both so fucking miserable, we were nowhere close to being able to destroy that godforsaken locket, and all we had was each other. That moment, it was all or nothing, but I knew that I loved Ginny, and she knew Ron would never forgive her."

"I never understood Granger's obsession with Weaslebee," Draco stated. "She wasn't half bad looking there sometime after fourth year and everyone was talking about her by sixth year."

"I never quite understood it either. Don't get me wrong, he was my best mate, but he was so oblivious to her sometimes. Never understood how much it affected her."

"She's a bit sensitive, isn't she?"

"She is, but it's only because she cares so much."

"I've never understood people like her. If I cared that much about something, I would explode."

Harry nodded. "Well, Ginny's the same way about me. I was never 'The Boy Who Lived' or 'The Chosen One.' I was always just Harry. I had plenty of girls throwing themselves at me after the war and it would have been nice I guess if they were genuinely interested in me, but they wanted notoriety while I wanted to blend into the background. Ginny gets that. I will never be to Ginny what the rest of the world sees when they look at me. To Ginny, I'm just the schmuck that can't figure out to take the trash out or empty my pockets before putting my pants in the washer. But I'm her schmuck…and that's all that matters. She'd do anything for me."

Draco still didn't understand some days how one person could feel as much as Hermione did, but he knew that it was the one thing he'd never change about her. After all, if it wasn't for her innate ability to choose to see the good in people, to forgive, and to love without abandon that allowed her to see the good in him. Hermione Granger was never supposed to fall in love with him, just like he was never supposed to fall in love with her. Every time that thought flicked through his mind, he only adored her more. He no longer imagined a future alone, surrounded by work and his books. He saw laughter, triumphs, and tears. He saw children with her unruly hair and perfect pout he would never be able to say no to. He saw children who would be raised with values, compassion, and a sense that the possibilities for them were endless.

Hermione could smell the scent of Draco's soap and hear the hum of the shower spraying the glass walls of the shower. Cracking her eyes open, she could hardly believe she slept past nine the morning on Christmas Day. Then again, the past four Christmases were spent in a zombie like state as she worked and kept herself occupied. But those days were behind her. For every box she unpacked with Draco, it was as if a weight was pulled off her back, a piece of her heart was put back in place. She stretched her arms up over her head and let out a satisfied groan. Hermione enjoyed sleeping again, and so did her body as she could finally relax instead of sleeping as if she was waiting for someone to pop out of the shadows.

Harry, Ginny, and the kids were going to be here soon, as was Draco's mother. Narcissa called the other day and asked what the two of them would like for Christmas, and they both said her presence alone would be fine. For the most part, Hermione and Narcissa seemed to be getting along, though they had their moments, like last week at Twillfit and Tatting's. They were shopping for dresses for the New Year's Eve gala at the Ministry, and Narcissa kept picking out dresses for Hermione that she wouldn't be caught dead in until she was at the age of retirement - and even then Hermione probably would have found a way to wear something else. Hermione could see that her feelings were hurt when instead of a hunter green dress robe she opted for a shimmery, silver dress with a sweetheart neck and short twill skirt, but Hermione couldn't even imagine where she would wear the garment that Narcissa picked out, outside of a funeral, that is.

Tossing the covers off of her, her skin protested the loss of warmth. She climbed out of bed and meandered into the bathroom, seeing Draco standing motionless under the shower above the steamed up glass. She shed her pajama bottoms and tank top and opened the shower door, stepping inside, the goose bumps on her skin retreated.

Draco sighed, his eyes still closed as he felt Hermione's arms wrap around his waist. "Morning," he mumbled as he pushed his sopping wet locks back with his hands.

She kissed the spot on his chest that covered his heart. "Happy Christmas."

"Mmhmm," Draco replied. He reached an arm up and moved the shower head so that the water fell on top of him and Hermione. Opening his eyes, he ran his hands through her shaggy hair as it collected water. "Happy Christmas." He reached for her soap and squeezed a dollop in his hand before massaging her scalp with the vanilla scented suds.

"You know," Hermione said, rotating her neck forward like a heavy weight. "If you find that you don't like your career as a lawyer, you could be a professional head masseuse."

Draco laughed as his fingers kneaded her scalp. "Is that right."

"Yes," Hermione said through a moan. "I think it's something you should consider. But you couldn't touch anyone else. Just me."

"I'm not sure if you can afford me," he teased, the two of them exchanging places as he rinsed the soap from her hair.

"I'm fairly wealthy," Hermione said playfully. "I think I could afford you."

"Oh do you now?"

"I do," she said, opening her eyes as she forced the streaming water to split with her hands. "And if I ever did run out of money - which I'm sure will never happen - I could always just pay you in sex."

He felt her hand wrap around his growing erection and stared at her. They had managed to defile many things in the house, but sex in the shower wasn't anything Hermione had ever shown interest in. He even tried to tease her about it, telling her she was the perfect height and everything, though she didn't find it nearly as amusing as he did. "Pay me in sex?" he finally managed to speak. "What makes…you think I'd accept?"

She laughed as she began to slowly pump him with her hand, squeezing ever so slightly. "I like my chances."

Draco crashed his lips into hers, involuntarily groaning as her hand sped up, the other hand pushing his head into her as she deepened the kiss. She would be able to multitask, he thought to himself, and it only turned him on more. He bit her lower lip, pulling up a bit as she tightened her hand. "Turn around," he breathed in her ear.

Letting go, she turned around to the lone stone wall in the shower and he grabbed her hands, bracing them against the wall with his. The shower streamed down between them, water beading as it trickled down her soft skin. He grabbed his dick and slid it between her folds, hardening even more with each gasp from her lips. Finally, he put the tip at her entrance and plunged himself in, only to pull himself back out as quickly. He felt her shudder against him as he did it again, teasing her with each thrust.

"Draco, please!" she cried.

"Please what?" he said, continuing his tormenting pace. "Tell me, Granger. Tell me what you want." She moaned as she felt herself clench around him with each thrust. "Tell me, Granger," he whispered in her ear.

"Faster," she gasped. "Please, I need…"

He slowly sped up his pace, his hands still pressing into hers. "Merlin," he whispered, bucking his hips. "You are so tight…so wet."

She threw her head back his mouth sucked on her neck. She moved her hips with his, the sensation of him being behind her and the water beating on her back turning her on. "Harder," she panted. "Draco harder…harder…"

He let go of her hands and grabbed ahold of her hips, forcefully pulling her into him. His eyes could have completely rolled to the back of his head in pleasure if he'd let them. "Hermione," he gasped. "Oh Merlin…"

Hermione felt her orgasm building. "Faster!" she cried. "Harder!" A few more powerful thrusts was all it took for Hermione to spill over the edge, her legs shaking as she felt herself lose control. She panted, working through her orgasm as Draco reached his.

"Hermione I love you!" he exclaimed in ecstasy, thrusting into her a final time as he felt his knees involuntarily jerk, cuming inside of her. He leaned over, his chest pressed to her back as he wrapped his arms around her. He felt himself twitch a final time before slowly pulling out of her warmth, placing kisses on her back. "That was bloody brilliant," he said, letting her go so she could stand up straight.

Turning around, Hermione snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. "See," she said with a wink. "I like my chances."

"Happy Christmas!" James screeched as he popped through the floo with Ginny, Harry following afterwards with a sleeping Albus early in the afternoon. He saw Hermione and Draco sitting on the couch, Hermione's legs in Draco's lap. He was rubbing her feet as she read through Hogwarts: A History.

Hermione closed her book and set it on the end table as James raced to her. She placed him on her lap and helped him take off his coat and hat. "Happy Christmas, James," she said. "Did Santa bring you anything?"

"Santa brought me all sorts of books about dragons!" James exclaimed. "And I got three chocolate frogs, this new hat, a new set of colors, a dragon coloring book, and you want to know the best present that I got?"

Hermione nodded, her face matching his enthusiasm. "What was the best present?"

"Uncle Charlie says I can come and visit him at the dragon place for a whole day!" James screeched.

"James!" Harry laughed as he admonished his son. "Albus is sleeping."

James waved a hand and huffed. "He always sleeps. But Aunt Hermione - I get to see real dragons."

She laughed as he snuggled into her. Hermione looked over to Ginny, who didn't look wild about Uncle Charlie's present, but she also see that James was so excited that she couldn't bear to ruin it. "I cannot believe…"

Harry handed Albus to Draco, who's arms were already open, as he shed his coat and took James so he could hang them up. "Charlie already heard the riot act from Ginny before we left the Burrow."

"If he even comes back with a scratch," Ginny warned.

"He won't," Harry said, reassuring his wife as he came back into the room. "It's not like we're sending him alone. I'll be there."

"It was a warning for you too," she said, playfully nudging him with an elbow as he sat down next to her on the other couch in the living room. Ginny relaxed into Harry as he draped an arm over her shoulder. "Have you exchanged gifts yet?" she asked Hermione.

Draco shook his head no as he balanced Albus on his lap, letting him hold onto his forefingers with his hands. "We will later tonight."

"That's what we do," Harry said. "A far cry from the days of racing down to the common room at six in the morning, eh 'Mione?"

She laughed, sitting up a bit as she adjusted James so he was sitting in her lap. "I don't even know what we were thinking."

"I do," Harry replied. "Presents."

The four adults laughed, and James did too, if only to do what everyone else was doing. The floo popped again moments later, and in walked Narcissa, carrying a stack of gifts ornately wrapped. "Sorry I'm late," Narcissa said, breathlessly as she placed the gifts next to the others Draco and Hermione left out for the boys. She hung her coat and scarf over the back of the oversized leather chair and sat down. "Mr. Potter, I'm assuming you and your family had a pleasant Christmas this morning?"

"Harry - and yes, Mrs. Malfoy, the kids had a lovely Christmas. Albus played with the boxes his toys came with, and James was spoiled rotten."

James' face dropped. "Hey…I'm not rotten!"

"It's just an expression," Ginny reassured her son.

"It's not a nice expression," James argued.

Narcissa watched Draco as he made faces at Albus, who was grinning as he jerked his godfather's fingers every which way, kicking as he laughed. "I'm not sure I've ever seen a Malfoy make such faces," she commented.

"Well," Draco said, still making the faces as Albus let out a belly laugh. "Get used to it. Isn't that right mister?" Albus kicked his legs a few times and gurgled. "Silly faces are fun!"

Hermione laughed, ticking James as he giggled. "Aunt Hermione!" he squealed. "Stop!"

"What?" she asked "You want more tickles for Christmas?"

James doubled over, laughing as her fingers attached his sides and under his arms. "Aunt Hermione no! No!" he squealed.

She stopped, snaking her head around so she could plant a big kiss on his cheek. "Are you ready to open some more presents?" she asked James, her arms squeezing him tight.

"Yes!" James exclaimed.

Harry had James show off his new reading skills, which were merely word recognition skills as he passed out the presents under the tree. He gave Ginny the presents for Albus while making a stack of presents with his name. He gave a present to each of the adults from Narcissa and a couple of gifts from Draco and Hermione to Narcissa before sitting back down in front of his pile. With a nod from Harry, he began to tear into his presents, shredding the wrapping paper away from the gifts like a pro. He exclaimed in awe as he unwrapped a new sledding saucer and a race track with cars and an upside-down loop from Hermione and Draco. When he opened Narcissa's gift, his mouth dropped in shock. It was an enchanted model dragon that could be charmed to hover, flapping it's wings whatever he placed them in the room.

"No…way…" he gasped. "This…is so cool!"

"Mrs. Malfoy, that is much too generous," Ginny said.

Narcissa smiled. "My Draco tells me all the time how much young James talks about dragons. It reminded me of Draco as a boy. He used to love his dragon…he had it hovering near him wherever he went."

James leapt up and threw himself into Narcissa's arms, startling the woman as she froze in place. "Thank you so much for my present, Mrs. Malfoy," his thank you muffled in her chest.

"It's called a hug, mother," Draco said with a smirk.

She awkwardly wrapped her arms around the boy, patting his back a few times before he pulled away. "You're very welcome, James."

Harry and Ginny thanked Draco and Hermione for the baby clothes and the stuffed lion for Albus, and Narcissa for the box filled to the brim with more baby clothes. Ginny could have kicked herself, not saving much of James' clothing from when he was a baby, and Albus was growing like a weed. Narcissa looked pleased as Ginny oohed and awwed at the various outfits she pulled out, gushing at how cute Albus would look in each one.

"Well, I'm glad someone appreciates my taste," Narcissa smiled.

Hermione caught the dig and she looked at Draco, taking the baby from him. If she held onto the baby, she wouldn't feel compelled to reach out and strangle the woman. There were days where Hermione found Narcissa to be lovely, and then there were moments like now where she wanted to reach out and smack her.

"Mother, why don't you open the gifts from Hermione and I," Draco said, catching the not so subtle hint Hermione gave him with a single look.

"Very well," Narcissa replied, picking up the two gifts from the floor and balancing them in her lap. The first gift was a large, grandiose paperweight with swirls of greens, purples, and silver to add to her collection. "How marvelous," she gushed, rotating the weight as she watched the light filter through the glass.

"Hermione picked it out," Draco noted.

"Ah," Narcissa said, her tone losing some of its initial luster. "It's very nice, dear. Thank you."

Draco shot his mother a look that he knew she saw, whether she chose to acknowledge it or not. She opened the next gift, a small box with a batch of ticket inside for all of the performances of the upcoming British wizard symphony season. Draco renewed her box seats every year for her. "You're such a good son," Narcissa gushed, tapping a hand over her chest. "Thank you, sweetheart."

"They're from both of us," Draco said, giving Hermione's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Of course," Narcissa said. "Thank you very much, Hermione."

She smiled plainly. "You're welcome."

Narcissa's gift to Harry and Ginny was to a bed and breakfast for a long weekend in Ireland, her way of saying thank you to the two people that befriended her son and forgave his past. They protested but Narcissa insisted. Ginny decided it would be great to use for their upcoming anniversary in May, and Harry agreed. Draco and Hermione's gift was a weeklong vacation in Paris, staying in a posh wizard hotel disguised to Muggles on the Champs Elysees.

Hermione hadn't been to Paris since she was thirteen, and was thrilled to be going again. "Narcissa, thank you so much," she gushed.

"Of course, dear," Narcissa replied, her smile relaxing a bit. "I'm assuming you've been."

"I was born in Paris, and my mum and I used to visit frequently when I was younger," Hermione replied, holding Albus so he was sitting on her lap. His eyes darting at every move James made.

Narcissa nodded. "Draco is very familiar with the area. He will be most helpful, I'm sure."

"Thank you, Mother," Draco said. "As always, you've outdone yourself."

"Oh, but I have one more surprise - I just wasn't going to bring her over until next week."

Hermione arched her brow. "Her?"

The older woman clapped her hands together like a delighted child. "I got you and Draco a house elf!"

Hermione felt her shoulder's tense, her jaw tighten. Harry smacked a hand to his forehead before Ginny could sensor his gesture. Swallowing, she took in a deep breath before smiling at Ginny. "I think I'm going to go change the baby."

Ginny knew it wasn't really up for negotiation. She handed her his diaper bag and Hermione excused herself from the room, carrying Albus upstairs. Draco made an inaudible noise, rubbing the back of his neck while Narcissa sat, looking confused. "Mother…is there any possible way you can…um, return the elf?"

"Why on earth would I do such a thing?" his mother's voice indignant. "Your house is much too large to care for yourself. You should have gotten yourself an elf when you bought the place!"

Harry grabbed James' race car track, opening the box while James patiently sat, waiting to put the pieces together. "Hermione isn't all that wild about house elves."

"Didn't she start some kind of thing…spout or something during school?"

"S.P.E.W," Ginny corrected, barely able to contain the eye roll. She loved Hermione dearly, but always thought S.P.E.W was a bit over the top. "Mrs. Malfoy, Hermione believes that house elves should be free to do what they wish."

Narcissa scoffed. "That's ridiculous. I don't even know what I would do without my elves."

Draco craned his neck, shaking it quickly before turning his attention back to his mother. "I can't have a house elf, Mother. Understand me when I say I genuinely appreciate the sentiment - but Hermione will never go for it."

"To refuse the services of a house elf is one of the worst things someone could do," Narcissa argued. "They are incredibly sensitive creatures. They like serving people. It's what they do. She can get over it."

"Not really," Draco replied.

"Well then, you must convince her," Narcissa simply said. "And no buts, Draco."

Defeated, Draco leaned back into the couch and sighed. He wasn't a fool. There were a list of fights he would never with Hermione - house elves were on of them. Figuring he'd rather fight about it now instead of later when they were exchanging gifts with each other, he excused himself and headed upstairs for James' play room, where he found Hermione sitting on the floor, snapping the onesie back in place on Albus. He walked into the room and shut the door, throwing a wandless silencing charm on the room to keep the argument between them.

"I cannot possibly live in a house with an elf - we don't need a house elf," Hermione adamantly.

"I know…"

She picked up Albus and stood to her feet. Turning to face him, she put her free hand on her hip. "I know you aren't going to throw a 'but' in there. I know you wouldn't dream of it."

He held his hands up defensively. "Listen to me," he implored.

Hermione adjusted Albus on her hip. "Speak."

"I asked her to return the elf and she will not. My mother wouldn't have any idea of your vehement opposition to the use of house elves, so you shouldn't be upset with her. She was trying to help."

She sighed, grinding her teeth together. "Continue."

"Might I propose, a compromise if you will." He took a few steps forward, taking Albus from her. He figured if she didn't like his proposal, he wouldn't be harmed if he was holding his godson. "We try it out -"

"Are you insane!"

"We try it out," Draco repeated. "And when we can show Mother that we clearly do not have enough work to keep the elf properly busy, we can find a suitable family for her work for. I understand your desire to free all elves, and while I find it…commendable, you must know that house elves like their work. They like feeling needed, and they are very happy in homes that treat them well."

She crossed her arms against her chest and shook her head. "I won't ask her to do anything. Ever."

"If you do that, the elf will think she's done something wrong. Do you want to make her feel bad?"

"Of course I don't!" Hermione screeched. "I'm not cruel!"

"You are not used to elves, and I know you were particularly fond of Dobby, as was I. He was my only real friend growing up, when my father wasn't abusing him," Draco said. The mention of Dobby softened Hermione's demeanor a bit. "We can even share the elf with the Potters…lord knows Ginny could use the break sometimes, and elves love children - particularly babies."

She huffed, her arms still crossed. "Your mother -"

"Honestly didn't mean any harm," Draco said. "And you know I'm the first to point the blame at her when she's wrong."

He did defend her when his mother complained at how uncooperative she thought Hermione was when shopping for a dress. She was grateful for that, especially when she saw how uncomfortable the conversation was for him after returning from her home. "Well…I was right about the dress."

"I'm sure you were."

"And I reckon you'll agree when you see the dress."

He walked closer to her, trying to reign in his smirk. "I'm sure you will look incredibly sexy in your dress."

She swatted him in the arm. "Language. You're holding your godson for Merlin's sake."

Laughing, he snaked his free arm around her and kissed her. "We can make this work," he promised.

"Fine," she muttered. "But I refuse to like it."

"None of which shocks me," Draco stated. "Now let's visit awhile longer, have dinner, and then kick everyone out of the house so we can exchange our own presents."

She kissed him again, stealing Albus back. "Alright." She walked out of the playroom, stopping short at the door. "And just so you know," Hermione said, not even bothering to look back at him. "I'm wearing one of your presents."

He stood there, slack-jawed, as he heard Hermione walk down the stairs, thanking Narcissa for her thoughtful gift, and how appreciative she was of the help. At that moment, he decided that while he loved her, she was purely evil at times.

This was one of those moments.

Once goodbyes were said and the house was again all to themselves, Draco pulled Hermione close and kissed her, using his lips as a distraction while tried to see what present she was wearing. She shoved him away after a minute, straightening out her sweater and buttoning her jeans.

"You're wicked," he grumbled.

She rolled her eyes. He knew she was still reeling from the house elf gift, despite her award winning performance earlier to the contrary. The only reason he didn't have a house elf when he moved into his house was because he didn't want to be bothered, and house elves became bothersome when they wanted to feel useful. As long as they were treated properly, he didn't really see the big issue. But he wasn't about to say that to Hermione. At least not when she was seething about the issue.

Hermione straightened out her cream colored sweater and walked towards the Christmas tree, the lights twinkling around the room as the sun began to set. She pulled out the gifts that remained and sat down on the floor, crossing her legs as she sat with Draco's gifts, shoving hers across the way. "Well come on," she said, waiving him over.

Draco chuckled, walking over and sat down across from Hermione. To passersby peeping through the window, they would have appeared like childlike. He picked up the first present and handed it to Hermione, and she did the same. Draco wrapped all of her presents in red paper, she did the same for his only in green, which they both had a good laugh about once they realized that house colors, years later, still ran deep. Draco peeled the paper away from his first gift while Hermione shredded hers, squealing with delight as she held up the sheer, pale blush colored blouse. She saw the blouse a while back, while shopping with him. She wanted it the moment she tried it on, but figured she'd give Draco a few hints for Christmas since he kept saying he didn't know what to get her.

Draco grinned as he opened a box full of chic, printed ties. "Thank you, dear. These are quite lovely."

"I know your affinity for solids, but I decided you should branch out," Hermione replied. "This blouse is gorgeous. However did you guess?"

"I believe it was you gushing like a silly schoolgirl in the store," Draco said with a bit of playful sarcasm. "Not exactly subtle." She made a face, sticking a tongue at him before tearing open her next gift – three books filled with all kinds of sheet music. "Oh…Draco…these are wonderful."

He smiled, opening his second gift. "I love listening to you play." Peeling back the rest of the paper, he laughed as he saw the title of the book Deciphering Dreams. "You're hilarious. A complete riot."

Hermione giggled. "I could hardly resist when I saw it in the shop."

"I hate to disappoint you, Granger, but I don't think I need a book to figure out that I like shagging my girlfriend in my sleep as much as I do when awake. It's not my fault she's devilishly enchanting."

Hermione fluttered her eyelashes. "This is true."

They opened a few more presents. Draco loved his new set of silver snitch cufflinks, and Hermione was excited to use her new mini cappuccino machine in her office when she went back to work next week. Each of them held a final gift in their hand, both of them small in nature. Exchanging them, they opened them together. Hermione gasped, shaking her head as she stared at the diamond earrings that matched her necklace that she rarely took off. "They're beautiful," she said, scooting towards him to give him a kiss.

"I'm glad you like them," he said. "I thought your ears could use a bit of sparkle."

She took them out of the box and fastened the radiant studs in her ears. "How do they look?"

"Marvelous," Draco replied. He opened the small white box in his hands and pulled out a silver pocket watch, intricate in design. It looked to be an heirloom of sorts, and as he popped the cover of the watch open, he saw a phrase engraved in the metal. Where there is love there is life. "Merlin, Hermione," he spoke softly.

Hermione took in a deep breath and exhaled. "It was my father's."

"I can't accept this," Draco said. "It's too –"

"I want you to have it," she said, soft but firm. "He would have given it to you, and since he can't…well…I just know that if my parents were here, they would have loved you just as much as I do."

He carefully placed the watch back in the box, nestling it within the tissue paper. For the first time since he was forced to stand in the dining room of Malfoy Manor, watching as Hermione withered in pain underneath his aunt as her screams pierced through the air, he felt his eyes water. At that moment, staring at the time piece from a man who from what he had heard adored his daughter more than life itself, a man who was taken away from his daughter by people he associated himself with. The tear that slipped down his porcelain cheek was the first tear he'd cried since burying his face in his mother's bosom, trying to ignore the gut wrenching screams from the same girl sitting before him.

Hermione brushed his tear away with her thumb, just as he'd done for her countless times over the months. "Draco," she whispered. "I love you. All of you." He blinked away the rest of his tears, his eyelashes damp. Hermione climbed into his lap, her legs wrapping around his waist as she hugged him, his face buried into her shoulder. She soothed him softly, gently rubbing his neck as she felt him shake in her arms. "Draco," she whispered again in his ear. "Sweetheart."

He sniffled, taking comfort in her scent, holding onto her as if his existence depended upon it. She felt him press a damp kiss in the crook of her neck. "I'm sorry," he said, kissing her again.

"Why are you sorry?" she asked, pulling him back. She cupped his cheeks with her hands, brushing the tear stains away. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Draco."

He swallowed hard. "I should have done something," he said, his voice hoarse with regret.

"Sweetheart, what are you talking about?"

"I should have saved you," he clarified, the tone in his voice leaving little doubt as to what he was referring to. "I was a coward. I should've saved you." He motioned with his jaw towards the pocket watch. "Your father wouldn't have wanted you to be with someone who wasn't strong enough to save you."

"You were just a boy," Hermione whispered, kissing him softly.

Draco furiously shook his head no. "Hermione –"

She crushed her lips to his as he had done to her before, pressing her hands into his scalp until she felt him relax. Passion slipped through her lips with each movement, pulling him close as she felt his hand on the back of her neck. She slowed the kiss, pulling away slowly. "You saved me," she confessed. "Look at us. You saved me when it mattered most."

He wrapped her in a tight hug again. "I don't ever want to be without you," he admitted.

Hermione laughed, squeezing him before letting go. "Well it's a good thing I plan to never go anywhere. Without you, that is."

Draco joined her, laughing as he rubbed a hand over his face. "Merlin…I don't even know what got into me. I appreciate the gift, I truly do. I'll keep it on me every day."

She grinned. "I'm glad you like it."

"Love it," he corrected. "Love it much as I love you."

She kissed him a final time before climbing off of him. Her hands were outstretched to his as he grabbed ahold of her, pulling himself up. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she seductively motioned for him to follow her as she took a few steps backwards. "Now, I do believe you have one more present to unwrap."

He felt a smirk creep across his face. "Well…what if I told you I didn't want anything else."

Hermione seductively pulled her sweater above her head revealing an incredibly sexy piece of pink lingerie. She tossed the sweater at him, the fabric smacking him in the face before falling to the ground. "Well, if you don't want anything else –"

In a flash, Draco had her scooped up in his arms, carrying her up towards the stairs. "Want and need – two totally different things," he said as she held her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss as he backed into the bedroom they shared.

Later that evening, the bedroom floor scattered with various pieces of clothing, Hermione tucked in the safety of Draco's arms, back pressed against his chest, he felt her sigh, her arms hugging his arm against her chest. He thought back to the time piece, the engraved phrase carved into his consciousness. Where there is life, there is love. Draco closed his eyes and sighed. His life began again the day Harry convinced him to pick her up from the airport. He finally made peace with living a life alone, but Hermione changed all of that. She gave him a new life, and with that came love. Hermione says he saved her, but as he lay in bed next to her, he realized the reality of it all: they saved each other, and with their new lives came the one thing they were both searching for - love.