A.N. LAST CHAPTER. ENJOY

8 Jun, Friday, 2330 BST

It had been a busy three weeks since the Muggle-born witch had awakened. Ginny had run her through her rehabilitation. Both Ginny and Madame Pomfrey were amazed at her ability to recuperate. Draco was able to drop by two of the sessions while on break from classes.

Draco noticed Hermione's uneasiness. Draco noticed her working extra harder when he was the only one in the room with her. He was not about to press her though; she had been through a lot.

Hermione left the castle after only a week and returned to work in the E.R. at Saint Augustine's a few days after that. Dr. Masterson checked on her employee, making sure she wasn't overdoing it. But Hermione was as sharp as ever.

Draco needed to immerse himself into work. He helped to monitor study sessions for his First Years as well as to help out with the older students and their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s When Draco had time away from academics he would find himself upstairs in Astronomy Tower, sending good night texts to Hermione on his Muggle cellular. Hermione's responses were short and concise. Draco chalked it up to her being quite busy with work. But then again it could be that she was avoiding him because of what happened that night.

o-o-o

8 Jun, Friday, 2335 BST

He had called his mother earlier that evening. She had mentioned that Drew was spending another night at the Manor. Hermione was pulling an extra shift. Draco had asked how Drew was doing. Mrs. Malfoy noted that the child seemed to be recovering from her latest healing episode rather well. The young father was relieved.

o-o-o

The older doctor tapped her wristwatch and gave the younger E.R. doctor a knowing look. She watched the younger witch sigh as she put down her half filled tea cup.

"Alright, I'll head home," Hermione said as she smiled coyly at her supervisor.

"You can use my office to floo," Dr. Masterson said as she headed towards the Emergency Room bay area. Hermione nodded as she headed downstairs to the physicians' lockers.

She had volunteered for an extra 24-hour shift because two doctors ironically had called in sick. The work kept her focused with a purpose, instead of thoughts of the past several months. She blew out a breath as she ran her hand over her 17 week baby bump. She changed out of her doctor's scrubs to take a quick shower before flooing home.

o-o-o

8 Jun, Friday, 2355 BST

Draco sat in darkness in the two-year old's room, arriving two hours earlier. He rolled up the sleeves of his white silk long sleeve shirt before sitting down next to the play area in the corner of the little nursery. He played with one of Drew's Lego blocks, squeezing it in his hands. He blew out a breath as he noticed the make-shift sleeping area in front of Drew's mini bed. The quilt lay on the ground along with a pillow and a folded blanket. Draco shut his eyes for a moment waiting for his wife's arrival.

o-o-o

Hermione changed into a pair of grey gym shorts and shirt emblazoned with Gryffindor across the front. Hermione hesitated as she walked passed the king-sized bed.

She blew out a breath as she exited her childhood bedroom. She opened the door to Drew's nursery and entered the darkness, not noticing the sitting figure in the far corner. The small flame shaped automatic nightlight, emitting a blue incandescent light that always kept Drew "safe" from the evils that the darkness brought, shown on the yellow blanket.

She unfurled the blanket with a snap. He cleared his throat, as he was right behind her. She turned quickly clutching the blanket in front of her, giving new meaning to "security blanket."

"Draco," Hermione said. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood," he said before casting lumos. He looked at her, studying her face. "I live here, remember."

Hermione took a small step back. She half smiled. "You gave me a fright."

"Not very comfortable, is it?" he asked pointing at the quilt on the ground.

"I was going to get in some late night reading before heading to bed," Hermione said, slightly defensively.

Draco canted his head at her before looking around the room for a semblance of adult reading materials. All he saw were the children's books that Drew was already able to get through.

"I, uh…," Hermione began. She quickly stepped around him. "I left the book in the bedroom. I'll be right back."

Draco watched her hurriedly exit the nursery. Draco blew out a breath as he heard their bedroom door shut. He uttered nox, extinguishing the light he cast moments ago. He hesitated before apparating from the room.

Hermione took in breath as she turned. He was right behind her.

"Hermione," Draco said taking a step forward.

The Muggle-born witch stumbled backward into the foot of the bed, losing her balance before falling. She looked up at him.

"Hermione," Draco said a little more gently as he approached her.

She covered her face and closed her eyes. She said softly, "Please don't hurt me."

"I would never," Draco began but stopped himself, remembering their recent history. He whimpered. He gulped as she looked up at him. He took a step back.

Hermione propped herself up on her elbows as she looked up. He took another step back.

"Why don't you sleep in here," Draco said softly. "It's a bit more comfortable. I'll take Drew's room tonight."

He turned slowly, stunned slightly that he saw the look of fright in her eyes. For the first time that he had known her, she showed him fear; a notion to which he would have welcomed and even savored when they were youngsters.

"Wait," she said softly grabbing onto his left wrist.

He turned to face her as she let go of him. He towered over her short stature as she stood in front of him. They synchronized their breathing. He gulped as she ran the fingers on her right hand on his left palm and over his wrist. She looked into his eyes as she coursed her fingers over the Dark Mark. He flinched, averting her eyes.

She hesitated for a moment before running her fingers down the front of his shirt. She felt his chest expand. Their eyes locked as she unbuttoned the three top buttons of his shirt. She reached for the silver necklace and ran her finger over the make-shift pendant.

She turned the ring between her fingertips, looking at the inscription, "The Lioness and the Serpent forever, 21 March." She looked up into his face. Draco seemed to hold his breath, not knowing what to expect.

She made a sudden movement, surprising Draco. She grabbed the sides of his face and brought it down to hers. She kissed him full on the lips. Draco hesitated for a moment before kissing her back. His knees uncharacteristically buckled. They both stumbled onto the bed, but never broke the kiss.

They kissed passionately, until Draco needed some air. Hermione looked up at him. His arms trembled slightly. He smiled coyly at her as her hands struggled with the rest of the buttons on his shirt.

"Wait," he hissed. He took hold of his wand and waved it. They were both undressed. She smiled back as he kissed her again.

They struggled with each other, each trying to gain dominance. Hermione was able to flip their positions, although Draco seemed very happy to have her on top of him.

Draco smirked good-naturedly at her. She ran her hand over his bare chest. He breathed deeply. Hermione could feel his erection against her back. She gasped slightly. Draco lifted her body slightly off his hips as she guided his erect penis slowly into her. He kissed her fully on the lips.

He took a deep breath, wanting to move but waiting until she gave him her permission. She placed her palms on his shoulders; giving him a smirk of which even he would have been proud. She squeezed herself around him, eliciting a moan.

Foreplay was thrown totally out of the window. He turned her on her back as he swooped down for another kiss. He began to pump in and out of her as they started to make love.

o-o-o

9 Jun, Saturday, 0315 BST

Draco watched her arch her back in climax under him for the sixth and more than likely last time since they began their little tête-à-tête in Drew's room, nearly three hours ago. She looked up through droopy eyes. She smiled up at him.

He felt her muscles tighten around him. He moaned finally climaxing, himself. He lowered his body, kissing her shoulder.

She kissed his neck. He breathed deeply before he pulled out of her. She shuddered. He lay next to her.

She leaned in closer to him, laying her head on his chest. He took a deep breath before kissing her on the forehead.

"Alright, Hermione?" he asked. "You're trembling."

"It's been a long time," she said, smiling up at him.

"I missed this," he said.

"You had better," she laughed.

He brushed her face with a finger. He looked at her, his eyes welling up a little. "I'm so sorry, Hermione," he said, brushing her cheek.

Hermione looked up at him. "Draco," she said, taking in a breath.

"I've hurt you so much since we first met years ago on those Hogwarts steps," he gulped.

"We have a history, yes," Hermione said softly. "But you've changed over the years."

"They used our history to pit me against you," he gulped.

"Yes they did," Hermione said. She smiled as she touched his face. "But they also didn't count on you remembering the last few years of that history, Draco. The part where we fell in love, had a child, got married, and started to live happily ever after.

"With another child on the way," she said.

He kissed her before gently placing his hand on her midsection. He pulled in closer to her.

"Was it safe for us to … do that?" he asked nervously.

Hermione laughed as she placed her hand on his chest. "Pregnant women can have sex until they start feeling uncomfortable. I've heard of women having sex through their sixth or seventh month."

"I guess we should start getting busy then," he smiled at her.

"You're incorrigible, you know th…" she began before he stopped her by kissing her. They finally broke the lip lock.

"Promise me something, Hermione," he said, a look of seriousness in his eyes, "If I ever hurt you or our kids ever again, you'll make sure I'll get thrown into Azkaban."

Hermione took a deep breath. She rested her hand on the silver chain and wedding band. "I could never do that to you, Draco. I love you too much.

"Besides," she smiled at him. "I'll cut your thing off with a scalpel from one of my O.R. surgical kits."

They both laughed. "You're too forgiving, you know that," he kissed her again. He took another deep breath.

"I've learned, over the years, that things happen that you don't have control over, remember," she said. "Life seems so much simpler learning to forgive, yet not forget."

"I don't suppose Drew will ever forgive me for what I said to her," Draco said.

"You're Drew's hero, Draco," she said touching his chin. "She adores you. You saved her life."

"She saved all of our lives, Hermione," Draco looked at her. "She's a healer."

"Wandless magic," Hermione canted her head at him.

"Yeah," Draco said breathlessly, knowing the ramifications of Drew's gift if the Ministry found out. "Madame Pomfrey thinks Drew had a hand in curing you of your cancer. She falls seriously ill though after each episode."

"We'll have to monitor that, then," Hermione said shutting her eyes.

"She'll be fine, Hermione. She's a tough kid," Draco said yawning.

"She said she kicked you hard," Hermione smiled patting his midsection.

"Yeah," he said, placing his hand on hers. "She's your daughter alright."

"You're incorrigible," she laughed.

"In another nine years, the Sorting Hat will have a time trying to figure out which House she'll belong in," he said, smiling.

She kissed his cheek. "Nine years is a long time, Draco. We shouldn't rush her childhood."

He nodded as he turned to face her. "I spoke with Professor McGonagall about next year."

"You're not quitting," Hermione said. "You love to teach."

"I thought you would say that," he said kissing her. "I asked her if I could leave Saturday mornings and return on Sunday evenings.

"She said, 'no,'" Draco started.

"Flat out no, Draco?"

The former Slytherin smiled, "She actually directed me to leave Friday evenings after dinner and return Monday mornings before breakfast."

"Professor McGonagall is a softy at heart," Hermione quipped.

"We'll be apart for another week until the school year ends," Draco said. "I already miss you."

"We'll always be right here for you, Draco," she said as she touched the pendant to his heart, allowing her own wedding band to lay on it.

"I love you, Hermione," he said before he kissed her.

When they broke the kiss, she tucked under his chin. "I love you more," she said as she shut her eyes, exhausted after a seventy-two hour shift. Draco soon followed suit; his eyes slowly fluttering as well before he gave way to slumber.

FIN

a.n. Thank you all for taking the time to read this fic. Muchísimas gracias for all the reviews as well.