Hermione stumbled on the top step and giggled as she fell to one knee on the top landing. She rolled forward and flopped onto her side, still giggling and thinking that the landing was way more comfortable than it should have been. She had, after several attempts at the lock on the shop door, given up and used the back door and now found herself deciding if she should just sleep right there on the stairs. The night was balmy and warm, and she was sure she would be perfectly fine just where she was.

Their impromptu girls night out had run much later, and had gotten significantly messier, than any of them had anticipated. Pansy and Ginny had decided that since Hermione and Draco wouldn't allow any real engagement celebrations until there were rings on fingers and since it had been more than a month since said engagement, shots would be the order of the night in an unspoken celebration for their friend, and Seamus had agreed.

Scorpius was with his grandparents for a four day weekend – the summer holidays allowing for more days with them - and Draco, Harry and Theo had had organised their own boys night, as it were, to watch some football match at Theo and Pansy's on the giant flat screen Theo had just recently purchased. She and Ginny, who been dragged along but had zero interest in the match, had left them with their beer and football, and with Pansy had hit the pub.

She giggled again and sat up, her eyes not able to focus and she gripped the rail to stop the world from spinning. She pulled her shoes off, not wanting to wake Draco with clunking heels on the polished wood floors and stood on wobbly legs. She fumbled with her keys, struggling to get them into the door, which led to another fit of giggles.

After several minutes of trying to unlock the door, her head thumped against the frame and her giggles turned into full snorting laughter when she turned the handle and it swung open - Draco had left it unlocked for her – and she had almost tumbled headfirst into the hallway floor. She dumped her bag and shoes in the middle of the floor, not caring where they landed, and tiptoed into the living area to find him asleep sprawled on the couch.

He was slumped onto the soft cushions, his arm dangling over the side, the other draped across his bare stomach. His shirt was off in the summer heat, his baggy shorts sitting low on his hips showing off that perfect 'vee.' He looked comfortable, and she instantly wanted to curl up with him, forgoing the large, comfy bed that they shared on a nightly basis. She pulled her jeans and top off, not wanting to sleep in her clothes, and clambered very ungracefully over his legs to slide up beside him and kissed his chest.

Draco roused long enough to murmur her name, to notice her presence, "H've g'night?" His words were slurred; his voice was heavy with sleep.

"Bloody brilliant." She hiccupped and then giggled.

"Why're you naked?" he turned towards her pressing their bodies together.

"Not naked," she murmured, "Underwear on." Although, considering her choice, she might as well have been. And she was sure that if he was more alert, they be doing much more than sleeping.

He snuffled drowsily, murmured 're we sleeping here? and dragged her leg over his hip, moving closer and kissing her forehead. The warmth of his breath spread across her skin making her belly quiver. She never got to see him fall asleep, he always waited for her, and as heavy as her eyes were, she fought the need to close them, watching his face, watching as sleep took him.

She swiped the strand of hair that had fallen across his face, watching as his eyes moved beneath his eyelids as he fell back into whatever dream it was he was having before she roused him. She smiled at the tiny snores that were coming with each breath and she was suddenly wide awake.

She was going to marry this man. She was going to spend the rest of her life looking at this face, seeing those eyes, feeling his breath on her skin. She was going to spend the rest of her life simply being with him. It was still a revelation to her, the fact that they were engaged. She still had to remind herself that he wasn't going anywhere, that he was here to stay.

She had become so accustomed to the ease with which he touched her, the way he kissed her. But it was more than just the physical side. His love, his patience, his want to simply be with her, was more than she could have ever hoped for. It all felt different than the last time, he'd said it himself, it's real, and she had to keep reminding herself that this was forever.

She breathed deeply, his scent filled her senses and she felt the now familiar flush across her skin, the pull in her belly. She was far too tired to wake him to have her way with him, and he was far too peaceful, but she was happy just luxuriating in him, in his presence, in his warmth.

So she lay there in the silence, curled together with him on the couch in their living room, her head cushioned on his arm, and she listened to his breathing, watching his chest rise and fall and she felt comforted. She pressed a soft kiss to his lips, and his face twitched, and she did it again. He shifted, moving closer still and tucking his chin over her head.

Hermione carded her fingers lazily through his hair, tracing down behind his ear and along his neck. She finally closed her eyes, dropping her forehead to his chest. Whether they actually went through with a wedding or just stayed engaged, it made no difference. This was where she was comfortable, where she was safe, where she was loved.

It was late in the morning by the time Hermione finally woke up. She groaned and opened her eyes slowly and the view looked decidedly different than when she dozed off the previous night. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed Adonis that she fell asleep beside was no longer there, and the room was decidedly brighter. Trevor was sitting on the coffee table licking his paw and staring at her.

A thin blanket had been thrown over her, and she shivered under it, the morning after effects of the alcohol were wreaking havoc on her head and body. Her mouth felt dry, and her head was swimming, she'd not had a hangover like this in quite some time.

She heard Draco's quiet chuckle and then felt his lips on her head. She glanced up at him and he offered her a glass of water. She sat up slowly and took it from him, swallowing down the cold liquid, wincing when it hit her stomach, and she wondered what ever had possessed her to let her friends ply her with so much alcohol.

Her voice was husky when she finally said "Good morning."

"Good morning." Draco took the glass back to the fridge and refilled it, returning to perch himself beside Trevor on the coffee table in front of her, "How's your head?"

She pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut, "I think there's a Slipknot concert happening in there. What time is it?"

"A little after eleven."

"Eleven!? You're kidding me?"

Draco shook his head, "It's the absolute truth. You've been snoring like a freight train for hours."

"I probably look like a train wreck too."

Draco stood, leaned over her and kissed her, "No, you look stunning." His eyes went lower to where the blanket had slipped off her and she snorted a laugh.

"Is that because I'm almost naked on the couch?"

"Maybe," he grinned running a thumb across her cheek, clearly wiping away mascara, "You might need a shower though."

"So I am a train wreck?"

"A beautiful train wreck," He said and kissed her again, "Now, go, shower. I'll make you food."

He watched as she crossed the living room, so comfortable in her own skin that she could have cared less about being barely dressed. And he approved of her choice – not that he didn't ever – but this one was one of his favourites. Black lace bra, with a fine red trim, that barely covered her breasts, and a matching thong that gave him a spectacular view of her arse as she disappeared down the hallway.

He often wondered of this had been her natural state on a Sunday before they invaded her flat. Naked Sundays, he mused to himself and grinned. He loved his son more than life, but the weekends Scorpius was away, well, they'd become much more interesting since she'd come into his world.

His son. Draco hoped he wouldn't be disappointed. Scorpius had insisted on helping him to pick out a ring for Hermione, since in his opinion Draco had completely messed up the proposal. He had humoured him, listening to the muttered nope's and the not that one's as Scorpius scoured the internet for the perfect ring. Draco pitied the poor girl in his son's future who would have to endure such concentration when it came to an engagement ring.

But Draco had already found the ring. The perfect ring, and it was stunning in its simplicity. And he knew it was for her the moment he saw it. Just shy of one carat, the European-cut diamond sat atop a fine filigree band that had a smaller diamond on each shoulder. 1920's art-deco and completely Hermione.

And he also hoped Scorpius wouldn't be too disappointed that today was the day he would give it to her. He had planned on Scorpius being there when he did, letting him be a part of this, as Hermione had insisted, but he'd been watching her sleep on the couch, a complete mess with her hair everywhere and snoring loudly, and he knew that it had to be today. He didn't care if she didn't have his ring ready, if she hadn't found one for him yet, but hers had been hidden away this past week, just waiting for the right moment.

She emerged twenty minutes later, her hair still damp, wearing a tiny pair of sleep shorts and a sleeveless hoodie.

"Pyjama day then?" He asked with an arched eyebrow, and then trailing his eyes down her long legs and over the curve of her arse.

She nodded, "I couldn't be arsed to get dressed. And you don't have to get Scorp until tomorrow, so I figured why bother."

He looked down at his own jeans and t-shirt, "I feel kind of over dressed."

"You can strip for me if you like."

"Maybe later," He winked at her and slid a plate in front of her and she looked up at him with something akin to worship. Fried food - eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes with baked beans and toast - the perfect hang over food if she ever saw it.

"I love you, you know that, right?"

Draco nodded and smiled, "Yeah, you tell me quite often. Although, it seems the sentiments coincide with food an awful lot of the time."

"That's because you're always feeding me." She took a giant forkful of egg and mushroom, groaning and swiping another forkful and shovelling it into her mouth. "How do you do this? Full breakfasts never taste like this."

"Taste like what?"

"Like an angel fell from heaven and shat a rainbow on my plate."

Draco choked on his own mouthful of food, "I often think I can predict exactly what you're going to say, but in reality, I have no idea."

"Sometimes I don't even know what's coming out of here," She pointed to her mouth and then squeezed his thigh, "This is amazing. Thank you."

"You're welcome," He leaned over and kissed her cheek, "How was your night?"

"Um," She tilted her head and frowned, "I know there were shots. I'm pretty sure there was vodka. I actually thought about sleeping on the outside landing, and I took aspirin before I took a shower."

"So brilliant then?"

"Mindlessly brilliant." She told him with a bright smile.

"I'm guessing Pansy will be feeling less than brilliant down there today?"

"I certainly hope so," Hermione said with a glint in her eye, "She chose the shots."

Draco laughed and stood, rounding the counter to grab the coffee to refill their mugs. "Hermione," He said quietly as he sat back down beside her. She turned towards him and he slid a small black box in front of her and she sucked in a breath.

"Draco, what-"

He pressed his finger to her lips, "This is for you. I should have waited and had it when I asked you. But being the idiot I am, I messed it up. I love you. You are my life, my future, and the thought of not being with you is unbearable. Marry me, Hermione?"

Hermione stared at the box, unable to take her eyes off it. It wasn't branded and gave no indication as to what was hidden inside. But it could be a skull or a cheap plastic child's ring for all she cared. It was from him.

She looked up at him and screwed her mouth into a grin. She reached into the front pocket on her hoodie and placed a box in front of him. He'd been too busy staring at her arse to notice anything in her pockets. "I said yes the first time, and the answer remains the same. But you have to agree to marry me."

He leaned over and kissed her, "Yes," he told her without hesitation, making her smile, "Now open it."

She ran a finger across the lid and eased it open. She felt her breath catch and tears well in her eyes. It was perfect. So amazingly perfect.

"How'd I do?"

"It's perfect," she whispered, "Draco, how did you..?"

"How did I know it was exactly what you would have chosen?" He picked up the box and took the ring out. He reached for her hand and slid it onto her finger, "Because I know you."

She peered down at her hand, the pretty little piece of metal shining back up at her. "You do know me. You know me better than I know myself, I think." She smiled up at him, "Thank you."

He tapped the top of the small box in front of him, "Can I open mine?"

"Please do." She nodded, still entranced with the ring on her finger, but she managed to tear her eyes away long enough to watch his reaction. She'd found his ring less than a week after he'd proposed. Brushed platinum with two thin strips of dense ebony hardwood inlaid into the band. And she knew instantly it was for him. Different and unique, it almost screamed his name.

He slowly slid the lid off, and his reaction was almost identical to hers. His breath caught and he looked up at her, "Hermione, it's..." He was at a loss for words.

She returned the favour, taking the ring and sliding it onto his finger, watching his face. "It's definitely you."

"I think you're right," He took both her hands in his, "We're engaged."

"We are," She agreed, "We have been for a month now."

"Ah, that we have, but this makes it official."

"You do know that Ginny and Pansy will want to celebrate now?"

Draco arched and eyebrow at her, "Can you handle another weekend like this one?"

"I doubt I'll have any say in it." She shrugged and then frowned, "Draco, I don't want a circus. I don't want hundreds of people. Just us, and friends and family. Is that okay?"

"That sounds perfect." He smiled then added, "No wedding rings either. We'll just use these; I don't want to give this one up."

"Me either," she said looking at her hand, "We should celebrate."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Star Wars and coffee." She told him and he laughed.

"A day on the couch it is then." He dragged her from the barstool and wrapped his arms around her, "Sunday's on the couch for the rest of our lives, if it pleases you."

She reached up and traced her finger along his cheek bone, "I think that would please me very much."

Hermione descended the stairs later than usual on Monday morning. Their last night before Scorpius returned had been wild and raucous, and then again that morning, she had woken up with Draco above her, ready, slipping into her the minute she opened her eyes.

The knowing smirks from her friends had her rolling her eyes good naturedly and shaking her head.

Ginny noticed it first and her squeal of excitement was almost deafening. Pansy stopped mid steam to see what Ginny was making a fuss about, and dropped the milk jug to the counter with a clatter when she realised what Ginny had seen.

Hermione was engulfed in a mass of arms and more squeals, this time directly into her ears. The morning coffee crowd were looking at the trio, startled at the ruckus, but were almost equally as pleased when they became aware of just what the ruckus was about.

Their friends had been made aware of their engagement soon after Scorpius had been told. Knowing that there was no way he could keep it a secret until they'd exchanged rings, Hermione and Draco had allowed him to announce the news to them all.

"We have to tell Grandma and Grandpa," He had said excitedly, and then grimaced and looked at Draco, "And we have to tell Grandma and Grandpa."

"That we do," Draco agreed and his eyes went to Hermione, "My parents first."

Hermione agreed, "Probably for the best."

And the news had gone better than expected. Both Lucius and Narcissa congratulated them both in the formal way that Hermione was becoming accustomed to. And of course they had wanted to know if a date had been set, and what wedding plans had been made. And they had been met with a stony silence when they had told them that no date had been set, but when they did decide on a date, they only wanted something small.

Clara and Cuthbert had been, as was expected, over the moon for the pair.

"So," Pansy asked when the morning rush was over.

"So?" Hermione replied.

"So, when did this happen?"

"Well, let's see," Hermione tapped her chin, "I wasn't wearing it Saturday night, and I am wearing it today. So by deductive reasoning, I think it happened yesterday."

"That'll be ten quid in the smart arse jar," Pansy told her and pointed at the tip jar on the counter, "The man has impressive taste, I have to say."

Ginny took Hermione's hand, "I'd have to agree. That's close to a full carat, five or six grand easy."

Pansy grinned, "How much did you spend on his?"

Hermione ripped her hand away, "Yeah, because it's all about the money." But her cheeks grew hot. She had spent about the same as Ginny assumed he'd spent on hers, but she wasn't going to tell her friends that.

"Hey!" Ginny sounded insulted, "That's not what I meant." Hermione raised an eyebrow at her, "Pans is right, it's gorgeous, and so completely you."

Hermione twisted the ring on her finger; it still felt unusual, like it wasn't quiet real. It had been three years since she handed her simple gold band to Pansy to do with whatever she wished. A traditional gold band. It was all he thought they needed, but not at all what she wanted. In fact, she hated gold and he had had no idea. He had no idea about a great many things when it had come to her. Pansy had never told her what she'd done with it, and she wasn't sure she wanted to know.

But now she had this. A perfect representation of exactly what she loved and what she would have chosen for herself. But she hadn't chosen it. He had. He had chosen it knowing that she would love it. He knew her and her stomach did a nervous little flip at the thought. It was real. There was a ring on her finger and he had put it there. The nervous flip turned into settled calm and she felt light-headed and giddy. This was Draco, and this was real.

"Hermione?" Pansy put her hand on her arm, "You're making a face?"

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are," Ginny took her hand again and ran her thumb over the shining diamond, "It's a happy, Draco-fucked-me-senseless-this-morning face, and I think you just realised that he's going to fuck you senseless for the rest of your life."

"Thanks for that Gin," Hermione said, but she knew her friend had read her thoughts almost to the letter. She glanced at her hand, "He got it right, didn't he?"

"Oh, no," Pansy warned, "You don't get to go there."

"Go where?"

"To Oliver." Ginny answered, "You don't get to compare that douche to Draco. There's nothing to compare."

"I'm well aware of that," Hermione said, "And I'm not comparing them."

Pansy and Ginny shared a look, "Are you sure?" Pansy asked, "Because arse-face proved that he knew nothing about you when he gave you that shitty joke of a ring, and Draco gave you that."

"Fine," Hermione conceded, "I am comparing them. But you're right, there's nothing to compare. Draco knows me, he's interested in me, he listens to me, and he puts up with my shit. Oliver was none of that." She watched the smiles crawl across both her friends' faces, tears welling up in Ginny's eyes, "No. Don't do that. You don't get to cry."

Ginny's tears spilled over and she engulfed Hermione, "You found him," she said through her tears, "You finally found the one you deserve."

Hermione felt her own tears prick at her eyes. She didn't want to cry in the shop, but with Ginny clinging to her and Pansy smiling like an idiot beside them, it was kind of hard not to.

"I hate you both," she said in an unsteady voice.

Pansy joined the hug, "Yeah, we feel the same way about you."

"Hi Trevor, I missed you."

The cat had been sitting by the door for the last half hour, seeming to know Scorpius would be home that day. Hermione smiled at Scorpius' voice and the following meow from Trevor. Her smile widened when he skirted the corner and slid across the floorboards and leaped onto the couch beside her.

"Hi sweetheart," she said with a laugh as her wrapped his arms around her neck and squeezed tightly. "How was your weekend?"

Scorpius kissed her cheek and told her, "Grandma bought me new Lego and Grandpa tried to help me build it and he couldn't so he took me to the zoo. Grandma says he's hopeless."

"I think he just pretends he can't build it," Draco said flopping down beside them and letting Trevor jump into his lap, "He's far too clever to not know about Lego."

Scorpius frowned at him, "No, he really doesn't Dad. Grandma's right, he's hopeless. Hey, what's that?" He was pointing to Draco's left hand.

Draco had taken his ring off prior to picking Scorpius up so he and Hermione could surprise him together. He'd put it back on when Scorpius slid down the hallway. "This?" Draco held up his hand and Scorpius nodded, "Hermione gave it to me."

Scorpius' head whipped to Hermione and he looked at her hand, "You have one too?"

She nodded, "I do, your dad gave it to me yesterday. Is that okay?"

"I guess," He said glumly.

Hermione looked over his head to Draco, who was frowning, "Hey, I thought this is what you wanted."

"It is Dad, but I thought I would be here when you gave it to her."

They shared another glance, both wincing.

Shit.

"I'm sorry," Draco said, cursing himself. He should have waited, should have known that Scorpius wanted to be there when he gave it to her. Shit. "I didn't realise you wanted to be a part of that."

Scorpius shrugged, "It doesn't matter." He dragged himself off the couch, "Come on Trevor, let's play in my room."

They watched him head back down the hallway, Trevor in tow, and disappear into his room. They heard the click of his door as he quietly closed it.

Draco ran his hand across his face and let out a frustrated growl. "I just can't get this right."

Hermione touched his arm, "Hey, you did do this right. Don't ever question that." He gave her a grateful smile, "Go, talk to him. Ask him what he needs to make this better."

He bent towards her and kissed her, "We will laugh about all of this one day." He sighed and pushed himself off the couch and headed in the same direction his son had just gone.

Draco knocked lightly on the door and pushed it open slightly, "Scorp? Can I come in?"

Scorpius nodded from his place on the floor where he was playing with Trevor. Draco shut the door behind him and sat beside his son, "I'm sorry."

"That's okay."

"No, I don't think it is," Draco said, "You're upset about this. So tell me why."

Scorpius sighed and ran the tip of his finger back and forth across the carpet. He leaned back against his bed and turned his head to look at Draco, "Will Hermione be my mum when you get married?"

Draco looked surprised, that wasn't what he was expecting at all. "Well, that's something we need to talk to her about. And Grandma and Grandpa."

"Why them?" Scorpius looked up at him.

"Because they are your mum's family. And they need to be okay with you calling Hermione mum."

Scorpius shook his head and frowned, "No. Not if I'll call her mum, if she'll be my mum."

Draco's frown mirrored his son's, "That makes no sense."

"Hermione is my Hermione. And Mum is my mum. But Mum isn't here, so Hermione can be my mum for her."

Draco shook his head, "Still not making sense Scorp."

Scorpius' shoulders dropped and he sighed dramatically, making Draco grin, "No one else can be my real mum, right?" he paused and waited for Draco to nod, "But Hermione is like my mum. She reads to me, and helps me with homework and makes sure I get on the bus for school. She does all the things mum would have done. So I thought she could be my mum when you get married."

"I don't think you have to wait. I'm pretty sure she's already your mum," Draco pointed out, "She does all those things, and more, already."

"She does," Scorpius agreed, "But you asked her to marry you and she didn't say she was ready."

"You're right. I did ask her before she said she was ready, but she said yes anyway." Draco looked at his son, still unsure what was actually bothering him, "You know all this Scorp. This was something that just happened, and we said we were sorry about it."

"I know," Scorpius said and looked down at his feet.

"What's really going on? Why are you mad about us wearing rings? You spent an age helping me look for one for her, so you knew that this was going to happen."

"I wanted to ask her to be my mum when you asked her to marry you," a flash of pink crossed his cheeks and he looked back down to the floor, "But you asked her to marry you when I wasn't there."

"And you thought when I gave her the ring, you could ask her then?" Draco's heart sank just a little bit. Hermione had been right, Scorpius' life was as affected by this as was theirs, and he had wanted to be included. "Why didn't you talk to me about this?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

"I am sorry. I kind of ruined your surprise, yeah?" Draco looped his arm over Scorpius' shoulders and hugged him, "But it still can be a surprise. Hermione doesn't know that you wanted to ask her."

"I guess," Scorpius said, his voice a little brighter.

"Did you want to ask her now? Or leave it a few days so you can surprise me too?"

Scorpius thought for a few seconds, "Maybe now. But you have to go out there first, but don't tell her."

"Oh, I wouldn't dare," He kissed the top of Scorpius' head, "You okay?"

Scorpius nodded, "Yeah. I'll come out there in a minute."

Draco stood and headed for the door, "Hey, Scorp?" Scorpius looked up at him, "She loves being your mum."

"Everything okay?" Hermione asked when he returned.

"Yeah, he's fine," Draco said and sat opposite her in the armchair, "He'll be out in a minute, he's...well, he'll tell you."

Hermione frowned, "What's going on?" She held up her left hand, "Is he angry about this?"

Draco simply smiled at her, and said nothing.

"Draco, what's-" She stopped when she heard Scorpius' door open. She turned to see him return to the living room and she smiled. "Hey there, are you okay?"

"Yeah," he said and curled up next to her, his head resting on her shoulder, "Sorry. I'm not angry at you or anything."

Hermione smiled down at him, "I'm glad to hear it. Do you want to tell me what you two are smiling about?"

"Well, Dad asked you to marry him and I didn't get to ask you my question." Scorpius looked at Draco, who nodded, "I was wondering if it would be okay when you and him get married, if you could be my mum?"

"Oh," Hermione whispered and glanced up at Draco, who was smiling proudly at his son.

"I don't want to call you mum though," He said quickly, "I have a mum, even though she's not here. But you're my Hermione, and I hope that's okay."

Hermione pressed her hand to her mouth and swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She looked at the smiling face of the boy sitting beside her, the boy who had so easily become a part of her life, the boy who was now asking her to be a big part of his and a wave of relief washed over her.

She and Draco had talked about this, of course they had, numerous times, but Scorpius had never given her any indication that this was what he wanted. She had always just assumed that they would continue along as they had, with her just slipping into the role with no 'official' discussion with him

"Scorpius, I love being your Hermione, and nothing would make me happier than to be your mum."

Scorpius looked like he wasn't sure whether she was serious, whether he should be excited, but he nodded and asked somewhat tentatively, "Are you sure?"

She hadn't seen his first steps, or heard his first words. She hadn't been through the teething, or the two year old tantrums; hadn't been there for his first day at school or his first broken bone. But she would be in his future. She would be there for the teenage angst, and his first crush. She would be there to see him off to University, to watch him with pride when he graduated, and she would be there when he found his own one true love and gave her a ring of his own.

And this was him asking her to do all of that for him. How could she possibly say no? How could she possibly want to say no?

She hugged him to her and kissed his mop of blonde hair. She smiled up at Draco, and told them both, "I'm positive."