Thank you for your very kind reviews, they never cease to make me smile. Warning: Rather explicit descriptions in the second half of this chapter, I hope no one minds.

"Which is why I believe it would be an enlightening and educational visit for all those involved," Hermione ended her pretty long speech to McGonagall, looking at the Headmistress hopefully. McGonagall looked a bit taken aback at the multitude of arguments she just had been bombarded with, despite having tried to stop Hermione several times.

"Mrs. Malfoy, if you had allowed me to speak earlier, I would have told you that there was no need for your in-dept analysis, as well thought-out as it might have been, because I heartily approve. Considering the majority of the people you wish to bring with you are, in fact, in their eight year, with the expection of Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood, I don't see you leaving the premises of the school as a problem. I will expect a letter of consent from the parents of those of you who haven't reached majority yet, but as long as you are back at Hogwarts at a reasonable hour I can only hope you will succeed in your goal. This world will be a lot better off if we all learn to get along, and I am glad you are taking initiative on the matter. Discuss it with your friends, let me know the date, and please, inform me of how it went afterwards. Now, unless there was something else you wanted to discuss, I must ask you to leave my office, as I still have quite a lot to do."

Hermione opened her mouth to speak but closed it again, looking flabbergasted. She hadn't expected the Headmistress to agree this quickly, if at all, which is why she had a written list of all reasons in favor of her plan, but apparently that hadn't been necessary.

"Okay, well, thank you," she said before leaving the room. That had been easy. Now came the hard part; convincing the Slytherins.

As per her request, their usual group (the Slythindors, as Luna persisted in calling them) was waiting for her in her common room. As she had gone to speak with McGonagall the day after her conversation with Harry, it was now Monday evening.

"What's this about, Granger?" Theo asked. "Make it quick, I've got better places to be."

"As if, Theodore," Pansy said. "We're the only friends you've got."

Draco and Blaise snickered while Theo threw a pillow at Pansy, one she easily ducked.

Hermione smiled at their antics before speaking. "I've spoken to Headmistress McGonagall today," she told them. "She has agreed to let us get out of the castle together for an afternoon to promote inter-house unity!"

The Slytherins appeared to be highly distrustful of her words, with the exception of Pansy who looked horrified as comprehension dawned. "And where exactly would we be going?" Blaise asked.

Hermione smiled brightly, if a bit uncertainly. "To the Muggle world!"

"You can't be serious," Draco said.

"There is no way in hell I'm going there. It's dangerous!" Theo added.

"Granger, I don't have anything against Muggle-Borns, but don't you think taking us to the Muggle world is a bit far-fetched? Why would we want to do that?" Blaise wondered.

"Because it's about time you saw what Muggles are like with your own eyes. Your entire lives you've been forming opinions based on what others told you. I'm offering you the chance to decide for yourself."

"I think it will be fun," Luna said.

"Does that mean we will be going to the movies, or whatever it was you were talking about?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, I think that might be the best idea," Hermione answered. Harry nodded in agreement.

"We're not going," Theo protested, sounding scared. "Right, Pans? Tell them!"

Hermione met Pansy's gaze, then, and lifted an eyebrow. This was the moment that would show whether Pansy had meant what she had said the day before, and both girls knew it. Everyone stared at Pansy, wondering what took her so long to answer, why she was even hesitating about this.

"I—," she started, fighting an obvious battle in her mind. "I'm sure there's no harm in it. How bad can one afternoon be, really?"

Draco, Blaise and Theo stared at their friend with horror, while Harry, Ginny and Ron gaped as their world seemed to turn on its axis. Only Luna was perfectly serene, as if she had expected this all along.

"Shall we go next weekend, then?" she said.

Hermione let out a nervous laugh before nodding. "Next Saturday sounds perfect. I'll let you know the details later. Now, I believe it's time for dinner?" She hurried out of the room, not because she was running away from whatever reaction her husband was about to have, but because she was very hungry. Right.

Of course her little disappearance act was but a postponing of the dreaded discussion, considering she lived with the guy. She delayed her return to their rooms as long as she could, even considered passing the night in Gryffindor tower, but she was no coward. Moreover, the longer she avoided Draco, the worse their fight was likely to be, so she might as well get it over with.

He was waiting for her on the couch. "I wasn't sure you'd be brave enough to come back," he said with a sneer.

"Why wouldn't I?" she replied nonchalantly. "There's nothing to be afraid of here."

He glared at her, but she was becoming rather used to his death stares so it failed to have the right effect.

"Don't you think you should have discussed this little trip you're planning with me before basically forcing a majority vote on us? I don't know what it is you hold over Pansy, but you should have talked to me first," Draco said.

Hermione was confused. "Why should I have told you first? We're all going to the Muggle world together."

"Because I'm your husband, damn it. Didn't we agree we'd try to make the best out of it? You can't just throw things like that at me and try to change who I am without at least having the courtesy of informing me beforehand. I won't be treated like one of your obedient little friends, Hermione."

To say that Hermione was surprised at his words would be an understatement; they both tended to ignore the whole married thing as much as possible so to hear him use it freely in an argument was unexpected.

"My friends aren't obedient, they trust me. There's a difference. And I genuinely never considered that, Draco, it's not like we really behave like a married couple usually." Hermione crossed her arms and stared him down. "You can't ignore it most of the time only to pull the 'I'm your husband-card' when it suits you."

He raked his hand through his hair, messing it up a bit, and looked exasperated with her. "And what if I refuse to go?"

"I don't think you want to," Hermione answered. "I think you're too curious to pass up on this opportunity. Not to mention, trying to make this work goes both ways. We won't ever be able to get along for real if you still think Muggles, my parents amongst them, are inferior."

"Don't use my words against me, Granger."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Stop making such a big deal about this. It's only one afternoon, and you've already been to my parents' home, haven't you? Was that really all that bad?"

Draco sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll go, but only if you promise to talk to me next time you have a crazy idea."

Hermione smiled. "That I can do. I know this,"—she gestured between the two of them— "is going to take a lot of work and time before we get used to it, but maybe it's time we genuinely give it a chance. I think that, despite everything that happened, we could be friends, Draco."

"Friends isn't exactly what most people hope for in a spouse," he answered harshly. His thoughts had been consumed by her all day, and definitely not in a friendly manner. The kiss they had shared at the party wouldn't cease to press itself to the forefront of his mind, and gods but he wanted to kiss her again.

Hermione exhaled sharply, feeling hurt at his rebuttal of her attempt at friendship. "What do you suggest we do then? Would you prefer to spend the—"

She cut herself of when Draco crossed the room until he stood right before her, close enough that she could feel his breath on her face.

"I can't be friends with you, Granger, because every time we talk all I can think about is that night we spent together, and how I fucking hate myself because I was so drunk I can't remember anything clearly. Because every time you're hesitant about something, you bite your lip and all I can think about is how it would feel if I were the one to do that. Because those stupid fake kisses aren't going to be enough for long, and the more time we spend together the more I want to try and see how it feels when we do it alone, without excuses."

Hermione was staring at him, eyes wide and pupils dilated, her chest heaving and her lips parted. What was it about this man that affected her so intensely? She understood, now, just why her drunken self had been willing to marry him if only that meant she could have him. His words had led her thoughts back to that night, too, and she could feel heat pool in her stomach at the memories (hazy as they were) of the sensations he had given her.

Was it really so bad, to be attracted to her husband? Would things be worse for them if she gave into her impulses and explored the physical connection they so obviously had? There was a fidelity-clause in their marriage contract, after all, and five years without any form of physical intimacy could prove to be a very long time, especially if she was to spend them in close quarters to Draco Malfoy.

Draco saw the change in her expression, in the way she held herself, and the little restraint he had left snapped. He threw caution to the wind and leant down, closer and closer still, slowly to give her ample time to change her mind, until she grabbed the collar of his shirt and dragged him to her. Their lips clashed and soon they were kissing hungrily, her hands in his hair and his on her hips, her back, her arse. Hermione's blood was thundering through her veins until all she could hear was her own heartbeat, and all she knew was that she wanted to feel his skin on hers. She started undoing the buttons on his shirt, but she had a difficult time focusing on it and she fumbled with them until she lost patience and detached her mouth from his with a huff.

"Off, take it off," she told him, and he complied without the slightest hesitation. As soon as his shirt hit the ground he grabbed the hem of hers and it quickly followed suit, leaving Hermione in her bra. He took a moment just to observe her, his eyes roaming over her body (and oh, what a glorious body it was), before he kissed her again. Hermione stepped backwards, in the direction of their bedroom, before deciding the distance was far too long and heading to the couch. Draco followed her, never once ending the kiss, as if he was afraid she'd change her mind as soon as he let her go.

She wouldn't, though. She wanted this, wanted it with a passion that left no place for doubts, and if the realisation scared her a bit, she'd analyse it later.
Draco cupped her breasts with his hands, eliciting a loud gasp from Hermione. Her hands were roaming his bare chest, exploring his body on touch alone, until they crept lower and started working on his belt.

It was only a matter of moments before they were both laying on the couch, naked, with Draco wedged between Hermione's thighs and sucking on one of breasts. As good as it felt, Hermione was impatient for more, the throbbing between her legs too strong for taking it slow. With her fingers tangled in his hair, she dragged him back up for a forceful kiss.

"Get on with it," she said, rolling her hips against him to illustrate her point.

Draco chuckled, looking down at her with something that ressembled fondness. "Always the bossy one, aren't you?"

Before she could retort, however, he lined his cock up with her entrance and entered her, robbing Hermione from the ability to form coherent sentences.

"Fuck, Granger, you feel so good," he muttered, screwing his eyes shut while he attempted to calm down. He started moving, slowly at first, but when Hermione moved her hips to meet his every thrust he sped up, encouraged by Hermione's approving moans and gasps. Her nails dug in his back, and the pain of that mingled with pleasure in a most delightful way. Sensing his own orgasm approaching, he reached down between them and circled her clit. Hermione arched her back at the added sensation, and it only took a few more moments before the coil in her belly snapped and she reached that uncomparable bliss that made her forget all but pleasure for a moment.

The fluttering of her inner walls was enough to send Draco over the top, too, and his orgasm was intense enough to make him loose all strength in his limbs and fall down on top of her.

Hermione absentmindedly carded her fingers through his hair, still euphoric, until his weight became a bit too much to bear.

She pushed him a bit. "Draco, I can't breathe."

"Sorry," he mumbled, and he moved so he was laying next to her, his arm tightly wrapped around her hips. Hermione wiggled a bit until she was comfortable, then, noticing that Draco was pretty much asleep already, she summoned a blanket and figured they might as well sleep on the couch. She rather liked being held by him.

She came to regret that decision in the morning, when she woke up with pain in her neck and no way of escaping her husband's embrace without waking him up. She stayed where she was despite her urgent need to pee, reflecting on what had happened the day before. Did she regret it? Had it been foolish? It had only been a matter of time before something like this happened, she thought. They were attracted to each other, that much was obvious, and they slept in the same bed every night, for crying out loud. And it had been wonderful. She was glad she had memories she could actually remember. What did worry her, however, was how this would impact their relationship. She had absolutely no idea how she was supposed to act around him, now, or what he expected from her. And what if he regretted it? He was still struggling to let go of his prejudices, so there was a fair chance that he would be disgusted with both himself and her once he had a clear head. Oh, gods, she didn't know if she could bear that.

Well, no point in agonizing over it now.

"Draco?" said she, poking his shoulder. "Draco, I need to get to the bathroom."

Draco groaned in protest and mumbled something that sounded like 'no, stay', his arm tightening around her.

She giggled at his cuddly behavior, but poked him again, a little more forceful this time. "Draco, I really need to get up."

He moved his arm so she was no longer trapped in his embrace. "Go then."

"I can't, you're laying in my way."

"I'm not moving. Let me sleep."

"Draco, seriously, move," Hermione said a bit louder, becoming frustrated. He finally opened his eyes and looked at her, annoyance written on his features.

"Fine," he said, but instead of moving he grabbed Hermione and rolled her over his own body. Hermione shrieked, surprised, and when he let go of her arms she fell down on the ground next to the couch.

"Draco!" she yelled. "You arsehole!"

He shushed her. "Lemme sleep."

The infuriating man was lucky she really needed to go to the bathroom, or she would have taken revenge immediately. As it was, she settled for stealing the blanket and wrapping it around herself before she hurried away.

"Granger, what the fuck," she could hear him protest sleepily, and she grinned in triumph. That would teach him.

She could only wonder what the rest of the day would bring them.

I hope this was okay? It's the first time I publish a scene like this, so feedback would be most helpful!