Author's Note

SORRY. SORRY. SORRY. There's not much else I can say except that I apologize for the late update and hope this much longer chapter makes up for it:) Loads of crap, loads of sex and loads of action.

Please review your comments and thoughts, I really appreciate it!

Previously on Hideaway:

She was in a dank wooden shed type building. Very small and dirty. It had an eerie sense, quiet and haunting.

"The fourth line 'Seven eight, she's in the place you most hate.' What place do you most hate?" Harry asked.

"Malfoy Manor."

She felt like her head was going to combust as the sinister music wailed into her ears, like a thousand souls crying.

"Bloody hell!" Ron gaped appearing next to Draco, his wand lowering slightly. "It's Thalia Gordon!"

"The note. Seven eight, she's in the place you most hate. It said she. Not Hermione."

"Doesn't this seem familiar?" he asked suddenly. "One person gone and another returned?"

"Your witness is lying. I had left for Lebanon in a hurry and was mourning for the past weeks." Thalia said firmly.

"Her memories check out!"

Before Harry could utter another word, Thalia let out a scream and began thrashing around in her bed.

"Lestrange wants us to hand over Voldemort's ashes in return for Hermione."

They couldn't give the ashes but then they had to get Hermione.

"It's time." Harry said scanning the room.

"Let's go." Draco replied.

The Shrieking Shack was silent and eerie as the ministry tread silently through the old wooden building. Harry had ordered many aurors to keep the area surrounded to ensure Lestrange made no escape. Anti-apparating spells were placed as an extra precaution.

It took all of Draco's self control to refrain from charging like a bull around the place shouting for Hermione. Instead, he focused on keeping his wand trained as he lead the main group towards the heart of the Shrieking Shack.

There was no audible or visible sign that anyone had been here for ages, which made Draco worry that Lestrange was pulling their leg again. As they neared what appeared to be the central room of the shack, Draco heard heavy breathing and loud shrill music.

The music was the most dreadful thing he'd had the misfortune to hear. The pitch was high and screechy and the lyrics were creepy and haunting, sending chills up his spine. After listening to merely one line, he felt the urge to squeeze his eyes and ears shut and smash the walls. It was like nails dancing on a chalkboard.

Draco nodded at Harry who was positioned next to him as he sent a patronus to Ron on the outside to let them know they were going in. With one more nod from Harry, Draco turned the handle of the door knob. It opened noisily and creakily as the aurors braced themselves to see what was on the other end.

Draco's heart went still and the world seemed to fade into a mere speck in his mind as his eyes locked with Hermione's brown honey eyes from across the room. He didn't know where the strength in his legs went as he gazed at her bloodied hands, bruised knuckles and heavy breathing. His throat went dry as he took in the room and her tightly restricted stomach.

His legs seemed to return to life as he blinked before racing across the room, murmuring her name repeatedly because she was lost and he had lost her and she was gone, now she was found, but she was far, and he was far, and he wanted to be close, but she was not close. He slammed into an invisible barrier, feeling his nose crunch from the impact as he rebounded backwards, skidding across the rough wood.

"Didn't the Dark Lord teach you to always observe potential traps?" a disgusted voice drawled from above him. Draco's head snapped up as he glared at Lestrange, quickly getting to his feet.

"We brought what you wanted, now hand her over." Draco snarled clenching his fists as Lestrange cocked his head to the side in amusement.

"The ashes if you please?" Lestrange said airily waving his hand in offering towards Harry who tightened his grip on the box. The aurors were stiff as they watched their leader glance at the box and swallow before walking towards Lestrange.

"I hope you understand, that you can't resurrect someone. He's destroyed and gone, there's no use in attempting such foolish acts." Harry said grimly as Lestrange's grin widened as he observed him.

"What I do with the ashes is my business. Now are we making the trade or not?"

Draco stepped closer to Lestrange glowering as he came face to face with his uncle. "Hermione and then the ashes."

"I'm not stupid my dear nephew. But I suppose neither are you." Lestrange said before turning and striding towards Hermione, jerking her to a standing position sharply. Draco tried walking forwards again but found his broken nose knocking once more against the barrier. His nails digged painfully into his palm as he watched Lestrange cut off the ropes binding her feet. "First open the box and let me see."

Harry resentfully opened the box and showed its contents to Lestrange who studied them carefully. "The Dark Lord was immortal and his ashes were therefore pure black." he said grinning in satisfaction.

"Just like his heart." Draco spat his anger growing.

He then walked her prisoner style to the edge of the barrier. "This barrier is magical so she can come out and objects can come in, but no people can. I shall push the girl halfway, you push the box halfway and we let go once we have what we want in grasp." Lestrange explained his manic grin back in place. "Three..two.."

Draco braced himself as Lestrange shoved Hermione halfway through the barrier, Draco gripped her arm tightly, wrapping his other arm over as much of her as he could while Harry pushed the box through. He felt Hermione fall through as Harry released the hold of the box.

Hermione fell into his embrace, sobbing as he held her close. With two flicks of his wand, her bonds were removed and her wrists and stomach unbound. He raised her torn and shredded wrists to kiss each one of them feeling his heart twinge as she cried softly into his shirt. He held her tightly to his chest backing up slowly as he kept his eyes on Lestrange. Lestrange fingered the ashes, kissing the box as he drew his wand.

"I'll see you all very soon my friends," Lestrange called as he turned and apparated to the unknown.

Draco heard chaos and panic around the small room as people darted around eyes bulging in horror. His eyes didn't dare leave his Hermione in fear that she would disappear within his grasp. He hugged her close kissing her and saying her name as she sat in his lap on the rusty wooden floor.

Three days. Three days without Hermione, three days in fear. Three days alone, three days of heart wrenching agony of the uncharted. Three days without her and he was already in pieces. Now that he had her back, he felt as if he could breathe for the first time.

THREE DAYS! Draco leaped up, his eyes wide as he stared at Hermione in horror. "He didn't give you food did he?" Draco asked as he registered her bloodied and weak state. Draco yelled something along the lines of Hermione - Hospital - Help - Goodbye to anyone who was near him as he carried her bridal style out of the Shrieking Shack.

The next few hours were very tedious as he waited impatiently for the healers to rush in and assess her. They took many tests for her health and the baby's, asking her questions and taking note of her symptoms.

Finally, the healer with pin straight silky dark hair approached them peeling off her gloves as she took out a clipboard to face the couple. "My name is Adelia George and I have taken over your case as well as your maternity care. I will be your healer when the baby comes as well. You were malnourished and dehydrated to a very alarming point. We managed to get the necessary nutrients and water into your system again to recover you. You nearly lost the baby but she is still alive. You are very lucky." she said curtly as if reciting something you'd learned a thousand times.

"Thank Merlin." Hermione cried as she leaned her head back, her hand grazing her stomach. Draco felt tears prickle as he grasped her free hand. He squeezed reassuringly as he faced the healer. But she was already gone, leaving the pair alone. Before Draco could start speaking, Harry and Ron entered the room looking harassed and exhausted.

Harry and Ron hurried over to where Hermione lay and began talking in fast tones hugging her and asking her questions. The Golden Trio reunited made him smile rather than his usual eye-roll. Having Hermione back was doing wonders to his patience and mood. The next hour or so, was spent answering questions for Harry as he took note of the finer details. He couldn't imagine it being easy for Hermione to have to retell the events from the last 72 hours.

It was just as hard hearing what she had undergone all the time she was away. Much against his protests, Hermione insisted that Potter and Weasley tell her all the important things that had happened during her absence. His glares and protests were ignored as the trio continued to talk very exclusively.

Draco gave up and slipped out of the room to find a cup of coffee. He may not have known what coffee was till he began sharing a dorm with Hermione, but ever since he did, he doubted he went a day without at least 2 cups.

He found Ginny sitting at the cafe sipping water and rubbing her forehead. He slid into the seat next to her and ordered a coffee. "It's hard being married to a member of the Golden Trio eh?" Ginny said smiling tiredly.

Draco snorted and rubbed his eyes. "They don't have much attention span for anyone if they're all reunited."

"You'll get used to it. Sometimes it gets annoying though. You have to really put your foot down once you feel something is up. They're not very good at sharing." Ginny said rubbing her belly.

Draco decided to change the subject as he watched her tired face glance at the clock. "When are you due again?"

"The end of the month. A little past Christmas time." she said sighing. "I have a feeling this one's going to be late. James was early."

"Just a feeling?" Draco teased tossing his coffee away as he drank the last sip.

"Just a feeling." Ginny repeated. "I have to go check on James. I'll be back later, so let 'Mione know she's not off the hook with me. By the way, you're both invited to our place Christmas night for dinner. I better see the pair of you." she said before turning and flooing out of 's.

Draco grinned to himself and turned to head back to his wife's room. He reentered the hospital room to find the Trio still engrossed in deep conversation.

" - that makes no sense. This can't be a coincidence. Valentina Simmons, Thalia Gordon, both returning from what we are almost certain is kidnap, claiming it's not?" Hermione asked furrowing her brows. "It can't be right."

"And not to mention, they all have legit memories of their time away." Harry said darkly rubbing his chin. "And now London McCusker is missing. A top auror, MIA ever since you talked to her about backup when you got that letter from Lestrange to meet at Malfoy Manor." Harry paused a beat before saying "I think it's time to let the wizarding world know what's going on."

"WHAT?" Hermione and Ron exclaimed together, incredulous looks on their faces.

"Have you gone mental?" Ron said his eyes bulging as he gaped at Harry.

"These aren't just disappearances anymore, these are kidnaps. And they're kidnaps but not really because the victims have no recollection of being kidnapped! Next thing you know, Lestrange is trotting around Wizarding Britain plucking new victims to kidnap and then screw with their memories!" Harry said as he began pacing the room.

"Okay that's enough for one day." Draco interrupted. The three heads turned on sync to watch him. "Hermione needs rest."

Ron looked like he was about to argue but Harry held up a hand and nodded. "Hermione's been through a lot Ron, we've talked, now we should go."

Weasley and Potter hugged Hermione once more each before exiting the room.

Draco and Hermione were plunged into silence as the door shut behind Ron. He could hear her laboured breathing as she rubbed her belly fondly. How close he had been to losing her….it hurt to think about it.

"Can you just hold me?" Hermione asked finally breaking the silence as she tiredly held out her hand.

The side of Draco's lips quirked upwards as he moved to take her hand, sliding into bed next to her. He pressed his lips to her head and pulled her tightly against him. No words needed to be said as a silent comfort fell between them and the snow fell outside.

Hermione was out of the hospital within the week of close monitoring, food intake lectures and baby development tracking.

As she reached the eight month pregnant mark, Hermione felt discomfort as the baby kicked against her ribcage and organs.

She blinked tiredly as she rubbed her belly trying to convince the baby to stop it's tireless kicking. She turned to her other side and saw that Draco was still snoring soundly, part of his face buried under the warm quilt.

She decided she couldn't get back to sleep so she pulled on her robe and headed downstairs to start breakfast. Draco, her healder Adelia and herself had agreed that after all the things she had been through during her pregnancy, that it was best to take her mat leave now.

As she flipped eggs she stared at the white wonderland outside the window. Christmas was in 3 short days and she had no shopping done.

She set out Draco's breakfast as he walked in yawning and stretching as he rubbed his tired eyes. He came around the counter to kiss her sweetly before he began wolfing down his breakfast.

"I might go Christmas shopping today with Ginny and Lara." Hermione said slowly watching as Draco paused chewing to study her in alarm.

"Love, are you sure you want to go out so soon?" Draco asked uncomfortably. "I mean I have work today and it's bound to be really busy in all the shops….."

Hermione smiled and leaned across the counter till their noses were touching and his grey eyes narrowed in worry. "I'll be fine. 9 month pregnant Ginny is terrifying." she grinned.

Draco still looked uneasy as he was about to leave for work. Hermione set the dishes to wash as she handed Draco a mug of coffee. He grabbed her waist instead of the mug and pulled her close, wrapping himself around her. "Be careful okay?"

She nodded as she buried her face in his robes. "I love you."

"I love you too. Call me at lunch. You know, I'm going to be worried all day now." Draco said gazing down at her, moving a strand of her hair away from her face.

"Don't buy me a Christmas gift." Draco said softly. At her confused look, he cradled her face and said "Having you back is the best gift I could have ever gotten. That and a child on the way….I don't reckon I even need oxygen."

Hermione laughed and kissed him passionately. She shoved the coffee into his hand. "I'll call you."

"I might not get any work done with all the worry you'll be causing me…" Draco trailed off.

"You'll manage."

"I might accidently perform an arrest wrong and then we'll get sued."

"I'm sure you won't."

"I might set fire to Weasley's hair by mistake."

"He's a wizard, he'll put it out."

Draco pouted as he ran out of ideas to get her to stay. He smirked slightly as he inched his hand lower till it rested on her butt. "I could call in sick and we could do other stuff…."

Hermione played along as she pulled him by the tie till he was pressed firmly against her. She could feel his hard bulge as she brushed it gently with her hand. She kissed him hard, biting his lip as he groaned dropping his mug and moving to caress her. She slid her hands painfully slow up his body till they became tangled in his hair. She pulled his head close, till he was level with her.
"Go to work." she whispered stepping back and smiling. "I'll be perfectly fine."

Draco still looked unconvinced as he picked up his mug and sighed as he kissed her once more before apparating away.

After Draco left, Hermione changed quickly before she flooed into Three Broomsticks where she spotted Lara and Ginny sipping butterbeer at a table. She moved to join them, ordering herself a butterbeer too.

"Over-protective hubby?" Ginny teased tapping her watch.

Hermione nodded. "You would think that I was off hunting Hungarian Horntails with rapists at the rate Draco was going." Lara and Ginny laughed loudly as all three of them took their butterbeers to go as they stepped out into the cold winter day.

The girls visited store after store purchasing presents for their loved ones. Draco was right, it was packed in Diagon Alley as the women fought their way through the crowds and into stores.

Hermione ended up buying two children's quidditch books for James along with a miniature toy set with figurines. She found silver watches for Blaise, Ron and Harry each with different designs so they wouldn't complain about twinning. She found some necklace/bracelet sets for Lara and Ginny. To the Weasley's, her parents as well as Narcissa and Lucius she would send a homebaked pie as well as candle/tea sets.

Hermione would have to send the one to Narcissa and Lucius secretively as so, to not set off Draco's bad mood. They hadn't talked much about the return of Lucius as it was clearly a sensitive topic, they avoided altogether.

Hermione had visited the grocery market too to stock up for the holidays. Her arms loaded with purchases, she found Lara and Ginny where they had agreed to meet after finding their separate purchases. Ginny lead them into the Leaky Cauldron for lunch.

Tucked in the corner with their belongings, they ordered their food and Hermione pulled out her muggle mobile. She had taught Draco how to operate one after they were married to make communication easier between the pair.

Hermione dialed his number, hoping she would hear him over the loud lunch crowd. She turned to survey the room and nearly dropped her phone when a sudden icy feeling spread through her veins. Hermione's eyes darted to outside the shop where there was a huge pack of dementors all racing towards an unknown location.

People were screaming as they shouted to lock the doors. Others were affected more by the dementors and went still picturing whatever horrors the dementors made them feel.

"Hello?" Draco said, his voice drawing her back to focus.

"Draco! Draco there's loads of dementors outside of the Leaky Cauldron. They're all….racing towards something!" Hermione said rapidly as she drew her wand to help place locking charms on the doors.

"Hermione? Bloody hell we'll be right there. Stay inside!" Draco yelled before hanging up.

Ginny was gripping the table as her eyes glazed over. Lara and Hermione shared panicked looks as they shook Ginny trying to get her out of the dementors untouching yet powerful grip.

Outside was a large mass of black darkness floating through Diagon Alley. The coldness and hopelessness that came along with dementors was consuming everyone, putting them in a state of panic, terror and dread. The black mass seemed to be speeding very quickly past the stores. None even glanced at the previously merry people, which was unusual behaviour for a dementor.

Within minutes the ministry was flooing into the Leaky Cauldron. Draco looked furious as he jumped on top of a table sending a loud boom reverberating around the room with a flick of his wrist. "I understand that this is alarming. But we need you to stay calm in this chaos and settle down. We have aurors in stores all around Diagon Alley. Our conclusion is that the dementors don't seem to be trying to harm anyone. They seem to be fleeing or trying to get to something. Aurors are outside this very moment trying to control the dementors with patronus charms." Draco said loudly for the whole pub to hear. "We need the citizens to remain calm while we sort this out. Please stay organized and calm as you can begin to floo home." he stepped back down and moved towards the door.

"Draco!" Hermione shouted over the frenzy as she shoved past people. He turned and surveyed the mass of people before his eyes landed on her.

"Go home Hermione, we'll sort this out." Draco said loudly to be heard.
Hermione glared at him and shook her head. "You're not going out there alone."

"Hermione for God's sake go!" Draco yelled moving to apparate.

Everything moved fast as the frustrating pressure that seemed to be suffocating everyone was lifted and the light outside seemed to return. Everyone stared outside as the streets returned to normal. Aurors were standing there confused as there were no more dementors swarming the streets.

Harry suddenly marched to the centre of the street and began barking instructions to the aurors. Draco unlocked the door and rushed out to join the aurors. Hermione ran after him, her eyes taking in the perfect calm after the storm. Nothing looked touched or harmed.

"Ron take some aurors with you and go to the Azkaban Control Centre. Find out how the hell the dementors escaped. I want the rookies to handle crowd control and get everyone to go home. Close off Diagon Alley, no one comes in. Proudfoot find some calmer citizens for interviews. Savage take some aurors with you to round up any injured who should be taken to St. Mungos. Draco go with the SWAT team and see if you can follow the dementors. Keep yourselves a decent distance away from them! Hermione - wait what the hell?" Harry shouted as aurors rushed around following his order.

"I'll take my team and begin investigating." Hermione decided motioning for them to follow her.

"No!" Draco and Harry shouted at the same time. "Hermione do you know what mat leave is?" Harry asked crossly.

Hermione glared at the pair and continued leading her team towards the beginning of the road. Her team was unsuccessful for the next 3 hours as they found no evidence. Not because the dementors were extremely careful but because they had touched nothing. It was the most absurd thing ever. The dementors came and swarmed in a group gliding fast towards something they couldn't see. They touched no one, consumed no souls, ignored merry people and just ran.

After handing in her limited findings to Harry and giving her interview, he advised her to go home before she gave Draco cardiac arrest. Hermione rolled her eyes nodded and flooed home after retrieving her belongings from their abandoned booth.

Draco was not home yet, although Harry assured her he would be home soon. She magically wrapped all the gifts so they were ready to be sent Christmas day and plopped exhausted onto the sofa. Dementors. What. The. Fuck.

After the war, and the dementors sided with Voldemort, Kingsley the new minister had stopped the use of dementors in Azkaban. There was much debate as to what would happen to them. They couldn't be killed but they had to be controlled. So after studying them for weeks, Hermione had actually been the one to suggest keeping them away from all humans. No temptation, no greed.

The ministry had found an unplotted and unused patch of land that they converted into a chamber of sorts for them to reside in. The Azkaban Control Centre maintained the chamber, applying hundreds of patronus charms every hour around the wards to keep the dementors in. The people working there had to be very skilled in the patronus charm, trusted with auror training and got a very good pay.

So how the hell did so many dementors escape?

Draco was dead on his feet after he and the SWAT team gave chase but found no sign of the dementors. This would surely be front page news the next day.

Harry and Kingsley had made the executive decision to release warnings and short limited summary of the missing persons after new year. They both didn't wish to spoil Christmas for anyone with this horrid disturbing news.

He apparated home exhausted and eager to see Hermione. He found her snuggled under a mass of blankets sipping cocoa as she gazed at the fire. He dropped down next to her and sighed.

"This is not good." Draco said rubbing his eyes. "Right before Christmas, a dementor escape. What the hell are people going to say?"

"The timing isn't very opportune, no." Hermione agreed resting her head on his shoulder. "No time is very opportune for a dementor escape."

"I'm going to have to go in early tomorrow." Draco mumbled. Hermione suddenly got to her feet and held out her hand. Draco took it unsure of where this was going. She pulled out her wand and muttered a spell and a box of decorations zoomed towards the pair.

"Let's decorate for Christmas. We don't need a depressing house to match the depressing situation." she smiled weakly. "The holidays aren't supposed to be like this."

Draco couldn't help but smile at his beautiful wife as she pulled out decorations. Together, the couple decorated their house with Christmas decor and put up their Christmas tree.

"Do you remember our first Christmas?" Hermione asked softly as the carols sung quietly in the background. She tucked a strand of her uncontrollable hair behind her ear as she brushed her finger along the bracelet on her wrist.

Draco remembered very clearly the events of their first Christmas. The dinner in Hogsmeade at Lucia's, the ice skating in Hermione's transfigured Paris, the hot cocoa and the charm bracelet, dancing in the snow….it was a lifetime ago.

He nodded and moved to snake his arms around her waist. His hands rested on her large tummy as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "I wouldn't trade it for anything." he murmured smiling fondly at the memory. "The heart because I love you. The key because you opened the door for me to come into your life, for a better life. And the dragon so you can always have a piece of me with you." he recited the exact words he said to her when he first gave her the bracelet. Draco could feel her melt into his arms as she turned to face him.

"Not a day goes by that I am so grateful for letting you into my life. You surprise me everyday with something new. You challenge me and what I do and say. You counter my stress and my craziness. You give me strength when I have none and when I feel that all is lost. You are there every morning to kiss me and love me although we fight and we argue. You make my life so much better in so many ways Draco Malfoy...I can't even begin to tell you how much you complete me. I don't need any guarantee of a perfect forever, I just need a now and here." she said looking at him intently as her eyes glazed over.

Draco felt his own eyes glaze despite his best efforts not to and pulled her close. The world was hell, dementors were running the streets, a psychotic man was making their lives shit but right here and right now it all didn't seem to matter.

After bidding Draco goodbye the next morning, Hermione set out to bake Christmas pies for her family members. She would've gone into work today but Draco was firmly adamant about using her mat leave. Hermione was well aware there was hectic chaosity at the ministry and wanted to help but she knew her health after her kidnap wasn't all that great.

She had still been having restless nights after her torture in the Shrieking Shack. She couldn't seem to fall asleep because everytime she closed her eyes, the wailing dreadful sound of the music came speeding towards her, making her eyes fly wide open again.

Draco had woken her already several times a night because once she did manage to fall asleep, the nightmares overtook her mind. She seemed to be locked inside her own head and it was driving her mad.

The day was slow without Draco but Hermione did her best to pass the time. Nothing seemed to keep her mind on track however as recent events prevented her from focusing. Hermione had had enough after lunch and grabbed her wand and purse before flooing to the ministry. She skillfully avoided the auror department as so, not to run into Draco or Harry. Hermione made her way towards her investigation sector of the ministry and slipped into their team work lab. No one was inside except Anthony who sat at his small desk scribbling notes down feverishly.

"Anthony?" she said quietly. His head snapped up and he dropped what he was holding and clapped a hand to his chest.

"Merlin, Hermione scare the shit out of me right after a dementor attack." he chuckled tucking his things away as he stood to greet her. "Aren't you on mat?"

"Not for the next hour no." Hermione cracked a tired smile. "Update me."

Anthony chatted for the next hour about how there was solid evidence through Thalia's memories that she was in Lebanon. They've concluded that there seem to be ties between the various disappearances and reappearances but no legit evidence has been found. And that Lestrange had apparated although they placed anti-apparition spells. They suspect it's because Lestrange had already set up the magical barrier between himself, her and the Ministry. Their side was not covered by the spell.

"Oh and there was that little hostage trade but you know all about it." Anthony said finishing his little report as he sat back down.

"I'm sorry….what?" Hermione asked feeling a stone drop into her stomach.

Anthony raised his head in confusion and studied her. "You know, Lestrange was willing to hand you over if we traded him Voldemort's ashes."

Hermione went slack jawed as she digested the news. Anger and horror flooded through her as her eyes narrowed into slits. "And Harry was stupid enough to accept the trade?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"Well, he didn't have a choice did he? Gee, Hermione I'm sorry, I didn't know you didn't know." he said quickly watching in slightly fear as she stormed out of the room.

Hermione strode straight into the auror department and rapped her fist loudly against the head auror's office door. Most people would be terrified to do so to the head auror but Harry fricking Potter too but she was Hermione Granger and she was a force to be reckoned with at the moment.

There was a thud and some curses as footsteps made their way to the door. "Can I help you?" Harry asked sharply, annoyance clipped in his tone.

"Yeah head auror you can actually." Hermione retorted hotly. Harry blinked in surprise and gaped at her awkwardly. Hermione edged past him and turned to face him angrily. "When were you going to decide to tell me that you traded the fricking Dark Lord's ashes for me?!"

Harry looked stupidly down at her and opened his mouth weakly. "It wasn't like that 'Mione."

"You gave away the wizarding world's biggest victory, biggest momento and biggest reminder away just like that?" Hermione demanded furiously.

"It wasn't the Dark Lord's ashes." Harry said calmly. It was Hermione's turn to gape confusedly at him.

"He asked for Voldemort's ashes but don't you think I knew how valuable that was? But I had to get you back too. So I decided to make the choice to burn Tom Riddle Sr bones to get ashes with similar DNA. And a simple colour change spell would turn them black." Harry explained not meeting her eye.

"You dug up a grave?" Hermione asked in revulsion. "The risk Harry! Did you even consider that?"

"Of course I did Hermione, but what other option did I have?" he shouted back. Just then, the door opened and none other than Draco walked in. "Take this up with him, I am a very busy man." Harry said angrily as he strode out the door.

"Really Draco? Really? You risked all of your lives by trading in fake ashes to Lestrange? What the hell is wrong with you? If he had sorted out that it was fake while you were all there, he would have slaughtered all of you!" Hermione exclaimed glaring at Draco. How could someone be so smart yet so stupid?

"Damn it Hermione! How did you find out?" Draco groaned smacking his head.

"How? How did I find out?" Hermione shrieked glowering at her husband. "You risked so many lives just for the sake of one person! Fake ashes! Unbelievable. That is the most foolish thing I've ever heard of! You could all have been killed!"

"We, or Harry and I did it for you Hermione! Did you really think I was going to decline the offer?" Draco yelled in exasperation throwing his hands up.

"That's so senseless and selfish! One life Draco, one person versus the lives of all the aurors entering the hostage trade. How can you even think of any other sensible choice than to decline?" Hermione screamed angrily.

"Bloody hell Hermione, I would have sold my soul to the devil to get you back! Why can't you understand that? I did it to protect you, the risk was a minor if." Draco snapped fiercely.

"Did you stop to think about the other dozens of lives that were already at risk when they joined the mission but that you escalated by trying to trick Lestrange?" Hermione screamed back. "One life was not worth the risk."

"Two lives Hermione! Two lives were worth all the risk and more!" Draco hollered a frightening glint appearing his his stormy grey eyes.

Hermione fell silent and crossed her arms in anger. "That was an idiotic move Draco. How do you think Lestrange is going to retaliate when he discovers that the ashes are fake?"

"I don't give a fuck if he finds out. Your back and you're safe, that's all that matters. If he finds out and goes on a murder rampage, I'll deal with the consequences later." Draco said firmly and defiantly.

"Selfish. That is so damn selfish Draco, it disgusts me. You put people's life in a cruel game of chance and now even more people will be left victim to Lestrange's wrath." Hermione said tears screaming in her eyes to fall down. But she had cried enough for a lifetime the past few weeks and she was just so exhausted. She stared at the broken man opposite her one more time before turning and walking out.

Christmas Eve had not turned out the way Draco had planned. Today, he had scheduled to go to work, deal with loads of crap from the latest breaking news and then go home to his wife and spend Christmas in peace.

The most stress and yelling he had expected to encounter that day, was pesky reporters, frightened and paranoid citizens and a chaotic ministry. Not an enraged wife, screaming and hollering at him. That was a different type of yelling he didn't prefer to handle.

Draco himself was just as furious. How could Hermione be so blind? He did everything and would do anything to protect her. Trading in fake ashes was nothing compared to losing her. How could she be mad at that? Bloody gallant ever selfless Gryffindors he thought angrily.

He spent the rest of his Christmas Eve in a cranky, highly irritated mood. He nearly hexed three secretaries, punched 2 rookies and almost actually set Weasley's hair on fire. Weasley had his own pathetic girl drama, when 'Lav Lav' appeared and caused a scene in the Atrium.

He apparated home drained and still fuming. Hermione wasn't there to greet him like she usually was. Instead the house was silent but there was dinner set out for one on the table. At least she still cares, he thought sulkily as he sat down to eat. He and Hermione had had loads of fights through years as enemies, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend and husband and wife.

After washing up, he began wandering around in search of Hermione. What he did, really wasn't that bad was it? Hermione was not in the bathroom, bedroom, nursery, kitchen or living room. He sighed as he made his way to the lounge area downstairs. There she sat, curled on the couch reading a pregnancy book and spooning herself some soup. Her pillow and blankets were downstairs with her and she didn't look like she was going anywhere anytime soon.

"Are you still mad?" he asked tiredly moving to perch on the arm of the couch.

She didn't even glance at him as she replied. Her eyes did stop moving across the page and he could feel her tense. "No, I'm not mad. I wasn't mad."

Draco's eyebrows almost raised so high up that they looked like they were apart of the hair on his head. "You weren't mad?"

"No," she said tersely.

"No? Hermione you went bloody ballistic on me in Harry's office! You shouted at me for at least 20 minutes without pausing to take a breath, you called me selfish and you walked out on me! You're avoiding me at meals and in the house and you say your not mad?" Draco asked staring at her angrily.

She turned to glare back at him and stood up to face him. "You were willing to risk dozens of lives! And more are still at risk, if he finds out they're fake!" she yelled.

"I'm not apologizing for getting you back, so you can save the damn martyr complaints! Aren't you glad to be out of that hellhole?" Draco demanded furiously.

"Of course I'm glad to be out! It was fucking torture Draco but I would have dealt with it, if it meant saving more lives!" Hermione retorted.

"Have you ever stopped to think about your life too? And what about the life growing inside of you? Would you have liked me to leave that there too in the Shrieking Shack?" Draco asked coldly.

Hermione went silent and her eyes shone with tears. She gripped the book tightly in her hands as she locked eyes with him.

Draco slid past her and lay down on the couch, pulling her blanket and pillows around him. "You can be as pissed at me as you'd like but I did it all for you so I am not sorry in the slightest." he said firmly. "You're pregnant and stressed, if you feel that much hatred towards me that you can't stand being in the same room as me, you can take the bed upstairs." he said in dead tone as he made himself comfortable on the couch.

He turned away from her on his side, and after a moment of silence, he could hear her angry footsteps marching up the stairs.

Stressed and pregnant? No shit she was stressed! Hermione wondered why she was stressed…..it wasn't like there was some mass murderer wandering freely.

She angrily wrenched the covers of their bed open and crawled into them. How could he not see that the risk was not worth all trouble?

Frustrated and irritated she turned on her side to sleep. But as the minutes ticked by, she found she was unable to sleep. In her stubborn mood she had angrily crawled into bed at 9 and it was now 11:30 and she still couldn't sleep.

Hermione had tossed and turned for hours, unable to close her eyes and rest. The empty space next to her was bothering her and she couldn't bring herself to cover the entire space of the bed. Hermione knew she was being slightly unreasonable but the thought of watching Lestrange discover the ashes were fake back there and then…..and proceeding to watch him murder everyone she knew and loved in front of her eyes. The gleam disappearing from Draco's eyes…. She couldn't bear it. Picturing it hurt, thinking about it hurt.

Hermione knew that she couldn't sleep not only from her nightmare in the shack but from the missing piece apart of her that was also stubbornly laying in the basement. She missed his arms around her, the sound of his breathing, his intoxicating smell, playful eyes and thudding heart all right next to her. After spending three excruciatingly difficult days in the shack, how could she have been so stupid to call the one person that walked along with her albeit on a different path, through hell, selfish?

Hermione practically leaped out of bed as she quietly made her way to the basement, in case he was sleeping. He was not.

Draco was on his back, his arms crossed as he stared up at the ceiling in deep thought. Tired circles were under his eyes as he continued to stare almost thoughtfully up at the ceiling.

"Draco?" Hermione murmured softly, standing awkwardly at the end of the couch.

His head jerked up to lock on her as he sat up quickly. "Mya?" he asked almost tentatively.

Hermione wordlessly climbed in, next to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I know you had good intentions…." she trailed off speaking into his shirt.

He tried to reply but she cut him off. "I know you did it for our child and me. And I know, I would have done the same thing, without a doubt if our roles were reversed." she whispered quietly daring to look up at his warmer grey eyes.

Draco reached a hand down to cradle her face. "It was all for you and I would do it again." he murmured gazing down at her.

Hermione couldn't bear it anymore, she needed him and wanted him and she was tired of fighting. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He let out a soft moan as he pressed his lips in a searingly hot kiss against hers, sending shocks through her body. She wrapped her legs around his waist and drew him closer while her hands tangled in his hair.

Draco's hands rested on her growing belly before inching upwards and deftly removing her shirt. She grinded against him feeling his member, hard against her. Within moments, they were skin on skin, their clothing askew on the floor. Draco then paused their rather violent kissing and began moving lower. To her surprise, he began spreading her legs apart. The next sensation was a whirlwind of lust as his tongue trailed fiery and hot on her. Hermione began shaking from the intense emotion reverberating around her body. His fingers entered next, making her arch her back in pleasure.

Draco seemed to enjoy teasing her, as he continued to kiss and lick wherever his lips landed. She began rocking along with his finger pumps, feeling her body hum with sensuality. Hermione knew she wouldn't last long as his magic fingers danced around inside her, unleashing a powerful orgasm that she felt herself ride out.

Hermione was panting heavily as she grabbed his neck and used her legs to flip them around. Her hands slid up his chest as her lips pecked each of his nipples slowly. His hands suddenly gripped her hips tightly, guiding her to push down on him.

Hermione obediently pushed down, emitting a loud moan from the both of them. She inched her hands up, to hold Draco's hands in place, stretched horizontally from his shoulders. Draco released a low predator's growl as she continued to rock back and forth. He could easily break out of her grip but his body was shaking with pleasure as they began moving together. His hands attempted to touch her several times but she prodded them down as a pure sensation began climaxing for them.

She felt herself smirk slightly as she leaned forward, her breasts grazing his chest as she hovered right above him. His eyes flew open, and he threw his head back groaning audibly.

"Bloody hell," he muttered really straining against her firm grip on his wrists. She lowered her head, making sure to rub her chest against his and kissed him hard. Draco's tongue swirled along with hers, making her feel faint as they continued their swift movements. Draco seemed to be close to the edge as he became tense around her and rocked his hips even more vigorously. His neck was exposed to her and she allowed herself to suck and kiss his lovely long neck. Draco's eyes lolled to the back of his head as their motions began to spread the intense sensation everywhere. Hermione felt flashes as she continued to ride him.

He murmured her name repeatedly, slurs it rather and gave a loud string of curse words before another loud moan and that tipped her over the edge.

She orgasmed for the second time and collapsed next to him. They were both breathing hard as their bodies settled back down. Draco turned to face her and meeting his eyes, she wanted more. She wanted so much more, she would never get enough.

He flipped her over roughly and hoisted her hips upwards. In one solid motion, she gasped and felt him enter her again. He began thrusting into her fast from behind, making her body spasm with an indescribable emotion. Not being able to see what he was doing was the most torturous as all she could do was shout her agreement and move along with him.

"Draco!" she murmured feeling his hand stroke her bum gently. She leaned her head back, grinding slightly and hearing his loud moan mingle with hers. His hand came hard in contact with her bum in a sharp slap and she felt her eyes blur with pure hot lust.

Hermione gripped the blanket beneath her tightly as Draco continued to thrust even faster into her. He seems to hit all the rights spots, going in and out of her driving her absolutely mad. His hand continued to stroke her bum as his other hand trails up and down her body, stopping to fondle her breasts, nipples, hips and waist. His lips, begin kissing her everywhere making her body shake with desire. His teeth sink gently against her soft bottom and she cried out as he gives one final hard slam into her and they both cum crashing down.

Making love and hot sex were very different things, and if they were to categorize this recent series of shagging, it definitely classified as hot sex.

Christmas morning, the pair woke up at noon, remembering with a bashful smile, the events of last night. Every time Hermione gazed at Draco, she couldn't help but smile.

As they agreed, they didn't buy each other Christmas gifts. After opening their other gifts, Hermione felt her stomach growl loudly.

"Your daughter is hungry," Hermione drawled moving to chop up some fruits. Draco snaked his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck with his nose. "Can't fathom why." he murmured kissing her softly.

She groaned leaning back against him. "Food first then sex." she said smiling at him. He flashed a grin as his hands began stroking her growing baby bump.

"Ara, sorry for the loud night. If you didn't get sleep, I'm sorry love. But your mama and I love you very much and we can't wait to meet you. Just a heads up, that this won't be the only loud night." Draco said crouching to be level with her stomach.

"Draco!" Hermione admonished swatting his hand as she glared playfully. "Don't tell her that! Not that she can understand all of it."

Draco laughed and moved to set the breakfast bar. "Can't start out our relationship with lies."

Hermione rolled her eyes and continued chopping her fruit. After a lazy, lovemaking afternoon, the Malfoys made their way, a good half an hour late to the Potter's. James came hurtling towards them jumping up and down excitedly.

"You're late!" he chided crossing his little arms in an amusing similarity with Harry.

"My apologies Jamsie." Draco chuckled kneeling down and smiling at the boy. "We brought you a second gift." Draco baited watching as James' face changed immediately.

"What?" he asked eagerly.

"James!" Ginny scolded, waddling her 9 month pregnant self into the room. "Manners. Thank them for the first gift then politely ask for the second."

After handing James his large box of chocolates, Draco tromped downstairs to join the guys who according to Ginny were drinking and making bets on Ron's sex life.

"I didn't even know his sex life was existent." Ginny muttered as she and Hermione joined a bunch of other guests in the kitchen.

Hermione laughed and helped Ginny set up for dinner. "So you had another huge row and then proceeded to have heavy hot sex followed by even more sex?" Ginny clarified as she stirred her soup.

"You make it sound shady when you say it like that." Hermione huffed.

Ginny laughed and smiled shaking her head. "Makeup sex is pretty great. And I'm sure you and Draco will always have that at least 15 times a week."

Hermione rolled her eyes as they began serving the food. Christmas dinner was exactly what she needed to keep her mind off of her traumatic experience. From afar, it seemed like she was perfectly fine, but inside, she was still frightened beyond her wits. What Lestrange had done to her was a torture she would never forget. Everytime she closed her eyes, the song of ding dong…..ding dong ding dong ding dong would come tumbling back. She blinked tears away quickly as she rubbed her healing wrists anxiously. She didn't appear affected at all to other people but inside, she wanted to scream till her throat went raw.

Watching all her friends and family here, warmed her frozen heart but seeing them also made her feel grateful...so grateful for being there with them. Ginny really knew how to throw a party. Luna, Neville, the Patil twins, the Weasley family and their respective wives/children, the Zabini's, a bunch of Harry and Ginny's classmates, Ginny's quidditch team members, Harry's work friends and so many more. Would they all be here if it was her funeral? Because she couldn't hold on any longer in that hellhole?

Draco made his way over to her where she was standing by the Christmas tree and pulled her in close. "Merry Christmas love,"

"Merry Christmas."

Author's Note

Hope you enjoyed! Pls review :)