Draco sat in an almost empty pub just outside of London. It had been three years since the war. Three years since his family's disgrace, and his last time setting foot inside of Hogwarts. As he sat there, he thought about everything that had happened since that time. He thought about the way it felt, after the war. In the aftermath of the final battle, he and his parents had snuck from the castle, unnoticed, and gone into hiding briefly before returning to the wizarding world, claiming, as they had after the first war that they had been enchanted by Lord Voldemort. Draco pictured that day, fleeing the castle, unable to even say goodbye.

His family had been pardoned by the ministry, though most of the wizarding world still viewed them as criminals. His father had arranged for Draco to marry the younger sister of one of Draco's former classmates named Astoria Greengrass. She was pure blood, of course, and Draco couldn't help but admit that she was beautiful. However, he was finding it a difficult time to accept that she would be his companion for the rest of his life. He tried to convince himself that he was lucky. He could, of course, have ended up with someone much worse, such as Pansy Parkinson. Astoria was kind, and compassionate, despite being a Slytherin. Though he knew that she didn't love him either, they got along well, and had agreed to make the best of it.

Yet here he was, sitting in a pub, waiting for a ghost from his past who he wasn't even sure would show up. Draco sighed, putting his face in his hands and closing his eyes. What was he thinking? He was such an idiot.

"Draco?" Came a soft voice, and he looked up.

"You came," he said, shocked as he gazed at the beautiful woman standing before him. "Please...sit down."

Hermione sat opposite Draco, looking more than a little uncomfortable.

"Why did you ask me here Draco?" She questioned.

"I just..." Draco hesitated. "I just wanted to see you."

Draco looked down. "It's been three years." Hermione said. "You just randomly decided that you wanted to see me?"

Draco closed his eyes for just a moment before looking up at her. He was relieved to see that there was a slight smile playing across her lips. She was teasing him.

"It's good to see you." Hermione continued. "I hope you're doing well."

"Yeah..." Draco said, smiling slightly himself. "I'm doing alright. How have you been?"

As Hermione told him about the last three years of her life, the awkwardness that Draco was feeling dissolved. He ordered them each another drink, and listened to her tell him of her job at the Ministry, her engagement to Ron, and those from Hogwarts that she still spoke to. Her voice was almost therapeutic for him.

"I heard that you're recently engaged yourself." Hermione said casually, though Draco knew that she was hoping to hear the details.

Draco laughed a little. "yeah, well...not by choice." He said.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowing a little in a way that Draco loved.

"It's arranged." Draco continued. "Our families set it up."

"Well do you like her?" Hermione pressed.

"Yeah...I guess." Draco paused. "She's great." He said finally.

"Well good." Hermione said matter of factly. "I just want you to be happy."

"Last call!" came a voice from the bar.

Hermione looked up. "Oh, goodness! I didn't realize how long we've been talking."

Draco looked at his hands. "I don't want this to be over yet." He said. "I'm staying just down the road. We could continue our conversation there"

Hermione looked a little startled. "Oh, well...It's getting late." She stood. "I really should be getting home."

"Please Hermione." Draco stood as well. "I promise I won't keep you much later. It's just been really nice catching up with you." He took a step towards her. "I've really missed you."

Hermione hesitated. "Well...alright." She gave a small smile. "But only for a little bit."

They left the pub and walked through the dark, snowy streets. Hermione took Draco's arm and he led her down the street to a small flat where he was staying. He unlocked the door, and let her inside. Using his wand, he lit a fire in the fireplace, immediately bathing the room in a warm glow. Hermione took off her jacket, and sat down on the small couch. The living room was small, with an adjoining kitchen. A small hallway led to a few closed doors that she assumed were the bathroom and bedroom.

"Not quite your usual standard of living." Hermione commented as Draco uncorked a bottle of wine and came into the living room with two glasses.

Draco laughed. "Well it's better than living in my parents' home. I'm only here until I get married, and then Astoria and I will be moving into a mansion on the other side of town."

Hermione laughed. "Well that sounds more like it." Draco loved the sound of her laugh. He offered her the wine, which she took and sipped.

Sitting beside her, Draco couldn't help but notice that though she looked older from the last time he saw her, she looked so much more beautiful as well. As they talked, and drank, Draco felt himself being transported back in time. It was as if no time had passed at all. They were best friends again, and everything was back to normal.

"The wine is gone." Hermione laughed as she drained what was left in her glass. "How many bottles did we go through?"

Draco laughed along with her. "A few." He responded.

He moved closer to her on the couch, and took her hands in his. Hermione's laughter faded as she looked at him, apparently surprised by the touch of his skin on her's.

"Hermione," Draco began, throwing caution to the wind. "Run away with me."

"What?" Hermione gasped. "Draco, you know we can't do that."

"Of course we can." Draco spoke as he pulled her closer to him. The wine was making him brave. "I love you." He placed his hand gently on her cheek as he leaned in to kiss her. Despite her better judgment, Hermione allowed his lips to brush her's. She hadn't been this close to him in years, and for some reason, it felt like being home. After a moment, she came to her senses and pulled away,

"I love Ron." She said quietly.

Draco looked down and closed his eyes for a moment. He ran his fingers over her hands. His eyes followed his finger tips as he traced her veins up her arm. He was trying to memorize every inch of her before she spoke again.

"Draco..." She said tentatively.

"I know." He said quietly, cutting her off. "I know you love him." He gently touched her hair. "But I know you love me too."

"But Draco..."

"Please don't say that you love me, but just not enough." Draco pleaded closing his eyes again. "Please, just for a minute...just love me."

Hermione looked at him. He was so much older now. She hadn't properly seen him in so many years. He was handsome, no one could deny that. As she looked at him, she remembered how close they once were. No one knew her the way that Draco did...not even Ron. Maybe it was the rush of memories, or maybe it was the wine, but she found herself reaching up and brushing her hands through Draco's hair. His eyes opened at her touch. Those eyes that she had thought about so many times in the last few years. Cold, and gray, but filled with devotion, and a desire to give her the world. She didn't know who moved first, but their lips were once again pressed against each other. Fiercly, and desperately this time. Draco's hands were on her back as they fell as one onto the couch. Draco could feel her body beneath him, and his desire for her grew stronger. He felt her fingers at his shirt collar.

The way that Draco kissed Hermione made her feel weak. She had never found anyone who kissed her the way that he did. Like he was thinking of nothing but her, like he couldn't get enough. She knew that she would regret it if she let this happen, but she also knew that she would regret it even more if she stopped. Hastily, Hermione began to unbutton Draco's shirt, exposing his toned chest. When each button had been undone, Draco allowed her to push the cloth off of his shoulders and down his strong arms. Draco grasped Hermione's arm and steered her into a sitting position, swiftly pulling her shirt off over her head. Before she could even bring her arms back down, his lips were on her neck, moving frantically over her shoulders, his fingers slipped under her bra strap and he slid it down to hang loosely around her upper arm.

Grabbing Hermione's hands, Draco pulled her to her feet, where she only stood a moment before she was in his arms, her legs wrapping tightly around his waist. Hermione's hands were in his hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss as Draco carried her to the hallway. Hermione's back pressed against the cool wall, as Draco's lips trailed kisses across her chest. His hands reached up to unclasp her lace bra, and it fell to the floor to reveal her breasts. Draco's strong hands were surprisingly gentle as they roamed Hermione's body. Hermione gasped as Draco's lips found her nipples. His tongue flicking gently across them in turn. A gentle moan escaped Hermione's lips. It was very quiet, but Draco heard it, and it fueled him. He lowered Hermione, so that her feet could touch the floor, and pulled her towards the first door, continuing to kiss her as they moved. The door opened into a small, but cozy bedroom, and Draco fell onto his bed, pulling Hermione on top of him. As they kissed, he rolled her onto her back, his lips finding her stomach. Hermione's hands grasped Draco's shoulders as he planted soft kisses down her body. Draco unbuttoned her jeans, and pulled them gently down her legs which were dangling over the edge of the bed. He gently kissed the inside of her thighs, his fingers brushing softly over the cloth that still lay between him and her body. Hermione moaned softly again, raising her hips slightly, giving him permission. Draco smiled to himself as he looked at her beautiful form, her soft porcelain skin, the look on her face. Was this really happening? He hooked his fingers under the thin material of her undies and pulled them off of her body.

Kneeling on the floor beside the bed, Draco's hands ran up Hermione's legs. She parted them at his touch, and his fingers brushed between them. He was surprised by how wet she was, and it made his stomach do a back flip, as his jeans began to feel even more uncomfortable. He leaned forward and tasted her, enjoying the way she gasped as he moved his tongue. Hermione's knees bent, drawing him in closer, and he felt her hands grasp his hair tightly. Her body moved in reaction to Draco's touches, as his hands firmly held her hips.

Finally, Draco stood. Never had he seen anything more beautiful in his life, than Hermione. She was perfect to him in every single way. He climbed onto the bed. Lifting her around the waist with one arm he pulled her up higher on the bed, so that her legs her no longer dangling. He kissed her passionately as her hands pulled at the button on his jeans. Hermione pushed Draco's pants over his hips, along with the cloth beneath them. Her desire for him was unlike anything she had every experienced. She needed him. Draco's hands ran along her legs, and she lifted her hips off the bed to meet his body. She felt him, warm and hard against her. Draco entered her, and Hermione felt her pleasure mounting. No one have ever touched her with the same intensity that Draco did.

Draco thrust into her, and her legs tightened around him, pulling him in deeper, urging him to increase his force and speed. The pleasure he was feeling was only heightened by the sight of Hermione, her head thrown back, her fingernails digging into his arms. Draco leaned down and kissed her.

"You're so beautiful." Draco whispered in her ear and their bodies moved together. "I love you so much."

He brushed her hair out of her face, and they locked eyes. Cold gray, to warm brown.

"I love you too." Hermione whispered back. She arched her back as waves of pleasure swept over her. Only moments later, Draco joined her, and they held each other tightly, breathing heavily.

As his breath finally slowed, Draco rolled off of her, and brushed his own hair from his face. He gazed down at Hermione, who's eyes were closed, and watched the steady rise and fall of her chest. He couldn't believe that she was lying next to him. He had dreamt about her so many times, that it no longer felt real. Draco wrapped his arms around her, and kissed the back of her shoulder. He knew that when they woke in the morning, this would be nothing but a memory. Hermione loved Ron, and Draco knew she would never leave him. Hermione and Draco would never be together. Draco wanted nothing more than to spend every moment with her for the rest of his life. He'd always felt that way, from the moment he first met her when they were 9 years old, but in a few short hours when the sun rose, she would belong to Ron again, and Draco would belong to Astoria.