The morning of the funeral was the day after I'd overheard that conversation. Harry, Ginny and I had decided we would all meet there early and help Draco with anything he needed.

I made my way to The Manor. When I arrived at the gates a shiver of dread ran through me. I hadn't been here since the snatchers brought us here and Draco's aunt Bellatrix tortured me. It took me a few minutes to push back the memories and dread. I focused on the fact Draco would need us today.

I pushed through the gates and walked towards The Manor. Draco must have seen me coming because he was at the door before I reached it. His shoulders slumped, his posture seemed defeated. When I saw him I couldn't help but think of Padma.

"Hi." He said as I reached him.

"How are you doing?" I reached out and hugged him.

"Not too bad." He shrugged. "I still haven't seen my mother this morning. I don't know what to do."

He was leading me through The Manor. He reached his kitchen and he pulled two mugs from the cupboard. I smiled as I watched him make my tea without asking how I liked it.

"I'm not even sure if she will even make it to the funeral."

"I'm sure she will come around." I leaned back against the kitchen counter. "When you love someone as much as your parents did it's bound to be hard when one loses the other."

I'd hardly blinked when Draco moved and trapped me in between his arms. His hands on either side of me leaning on the counter. He never said anything for a moment, his eyes boring into mine. Then he moved his hand cupped my cheek.

"I'm so glad you're here." He whispered.

I almost reached out and brought him closer, then my own self destructive behavior took over. "Have you spoken to Padma about this?"

He stiffened. "Why would I talk to Padma?"

He knew, I knew. I could tell. "You two spent so much time together over there. Surely you got close."

His jaw tightened. "You know." I nodded.

"Hermione, what you need to realize is I was going through a terrible time after our breakup." He took a deep breath. "She was there and things… happened."

I moved my head away I couldn't look at him. The worst thing is I know I'm being irrational. Like he said we were broke up. He used his hand and turned my face back to him. I bit my lip trying not to let the tears fall.

"I want us to be together, Hermione." His thumb stroked my cheek. "I want us to be all in together. We can work through all our troubles together. I can be here for you. Let me heal you Hermione." Both his hands were now cupping my face his fingers in my hair. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore Hermione. I'm so in love with you I can't think straight. Ever since we first kissed I can't think of anyone else. Don't let me go this time Hermione. Stay with me."

I was silent. He had just poured his heart out and I was completely still. He took advantage of my silence and pressed his lips to mine. My eyes flutter close and I kiss him back. He moves closer to me one of his hands moving to my lower back pulling me closer. His tongue coaxes my mouth open and he deepens the kiss. I feel my need for him ignite. I wrap my arms around his neck, my hands in his hair bringing him closer.

He pulled away putting his forehead to mine out of breath. "Tell me that means you want that too."

I do. I do want this too. But can I push all my insecurities away. He seemed to read my mind. "We can work through anything together. If you want to."

I looked at him, looked into his eyes. "What about when I freak out, because I will." It was inevitable.

"How many times, Hermione?" He kissed me. "We'll work it out together. As long as we talk to each other. We can work it out."

I bite my lip looking at him. How can I think straight with him right there? Drowning me. He kisses my jaw and my skin lights up.

"Just gives us a try Hermione." His kisses move along my throat. I can't help the whimper that escapes me. "Please Hermione."

"Yes." I say before I can rethink any of it. His lips feel so good.

He claims my lips again. I throw myself into the kiss. Deciding if I'm going to do this I'm going the whole way. Draco lifts me up so I'm sitting on the counter and he's standing in between my legs. His hands stroke my back and I wrap my legs around him. His hands find my thighs and gently push up my dress.

"Do you really think this is appropriate right now?" I start and push Draco away before jumping down from the counter. Narcissa Malfoy had interrupted us.

Draco sighs and turns around. "Good morning mother." He reached round and grabs my hand. "You've finally decided to leave your room."

I hide behind Draco and he squeezes my hand. "You didn't think I would miss my own husband's funeral did you?"

"Of course not mother. Your timing is as impeccable as ever." I her the sarcasm in his voice.

"Are you going to introduce me to your… friend?" She asked.

Draco tightens his grip on my hand in reassurance. Then moves aside so I can see and be seen. I see Narcissa stiffen as her gaze runs over me. She looks as impeccable as ever.

"So this is the mudblood you were telling your father about?"

"Mother." Draco growled his voice deep with warning.

"Miss Granger, isn't it?" She says lifting her face as if she's looking down her nose at me.

I stand up straighter at that and nod. "Mrs. Malfoy. I'm sorry for your loss." I wasn't going to be dragged down into this, not today anyway.

She didn't say anything. She just looked at us and our entangled fingers. The tension was growing.

"People will be arriving soon." Draco said.

"I'll go make sure everything is ready." She turned and walked away.

I felt myself relax as she retreated. Draco pulled me to his side and kissed my head. "That went well."

"Maybe we should keep our distance today. I don't want to cause trouble." I begin to pull away.

"Hell no. I need you by my side today." He tangled his hand in my hair and brought his head to mine. "I'm not letting you leave me again Hermione not even for a day. I don't want you to overthink any of this."

I bite my lip. My mind was already beginning to spin and wonder why I had agreed. He pulls my lip free and places a soft kiss there instead.

"Just stay with me today please? We can talk properly tonight." He searches my eyes. "I just need you with me today."

I can hear the pleading in his voice, see it on his face. I reach up and run my fingers over his cheek. "I can do that." I reach up on my tip toes and place a light kiss on his lips.

"Thank you." He breathes.

The whole day he hardly let me leave his side. The whole time he was holding my hand. Through the funeral he stood in between me and his mother. Narcissa was completely stoic through the whole day. Only smiling when it was necessary. She had her game face on, hardly showing any emotion.

I had to endure the stares too. We seemed to be the focus of everyone's attention. Most of them coming from people who were clearly not happy about Draco and me. I could practically hear all the whispers flying around the room. I tried to keep a composed face trying to pretend it didn't bother me to be able to almost feel their judgement. I feel him tighten his grip on my hand occasionally and I'm grateful.

He finally lets me go at one point so he can speak to his mother. Immediately I'm joined by Ginny. "So… you and Draco?"

"Um, yes." I know she's digging for details but it's all happened so fast I'm still trying to figure it out myself.

"What's wrong?" She asks putting her hand on my shoulder.

"I don't know. It's just happened so fast." I have a small fear that he only wants me so badly because his father has just passed and his emotions are all over the place. "I'm not sure this is the best time for him to start a relationship."

"Draco loves you, Hermione." We both move our gazes to Draco, who is clearly having a hated talk with Narcissa. "Only a fool can't see that. I think he fell in love with you as soon as he saw you again. If not before."

"Ginny, don't be absurd. We hated each other in school." She must have meant then because that was the last time we had seen each other.

"You obviously haven't heard him talk about you at school." I look at her. She's lost it. "I mean it Hermione. Stop trying to think your way out of this. You should give him a chance."

Just then Draco joined us wrapping his arm around me and kissing my head. "Are you ready to go?" Relief washed over me as I nodded.

"That's also our cue to go too." Ginny smiled and left to find Harry.

Draco grabbed my hands in his again. "Can we go to your place?"

"Yes, sure."

The time alone would be good. Maybe I could talk to him and clear my own head, my own worries. I very much doubt it though when I'm alone with him nothing else matters, all my cares and worries disappear almost.

DRACO

We are sat on Hermione's couch, we've just finished eating and I can feel the tension coming off her. I need to ease her. The only thing is I'm not sure what else I could possible say.

"Come here." I say. I put a little bit of authority into my tone hoping she won't say no.

She bites her lip but slowly she makes her way towards me. She's taking too long so I grab her and pull her so she's straddling my lap. She gasps at the quick movement.

I run my fingers over her cheeks. "You're so beautiful." I whisper. It's true sometimes I can hardly bare to look at her.

She hits me playfully on the shoulder. "Draco." I can't believe how shy she is when I tell her things like this. The mighty Hermione Granger shy of a compliment.

"We should talk about what happened today." I say. I need to get this over with I need to for her to see I'm not letting her go again.

"About which part exactly?" She's not looking at me.

I put my finger under her chin and pull her face to look at me. "About when you said you give us a try." The look in her eyes confirms my thoughts that she was having doubts. "Have you changed your mind?" It's not a question I want to ask, fearing the answer.

"It's not that exactly." Her gaze moves away from mine again and she's pulling on the long sleeves of the shirt she changed into when she got home.

"Then what is it?" I run my hands over her nervously.

"I'm scared." It's almost a whisper, I almost missed it.

"What are you scared of?" I move my hand up and cup her cheek. Her vulnerability right now is charming. I never thought I would see her this way.

"You." She looks at me.

I have nothing to say to that. Why would she be scared of me? Surely I've shown her how much I love her. Surely I've shown her I've changed from our childhood. My hand drops from her face and my emotions must play on my face.

"No Draco. It's not in the way you think it is." She grabs my hand and entwines our fingers. "It's just when I'm around you I get so consumed in you. Nothing else matters apart from you. I'm scared I'll lose myself in you. I'm afraid if I do you won't want me anymore."

I'm looking at her face and she's looking at our hands. That was her problem she thought she loved me too much? For a second I'm glad she's not looking at me because I feel the idiotic grin on my face. I wipe it off.

"Hermione look at me." I wait a few seconds before she does. "I won't let that happen and I'm pretty sure if I did let that happen you would hate me forever and that I do not want!"

I cup my hand behind her neck and bring her forward kissing her. Sweet Salazar I love how she tastes. I coax her lips open so I can explore better. I moan in protest when she pulls away.

"If we're talking there is one more thing." I think I know what she's referring to but I wait for her to say it, "Padma is a problem for me. I might be being irrational, but that's how I feel."

I was right. "Well luckily for you I'm pretty sure I've thought of a solution."

She arches her eyebrows at me. "Oh really."

"Yes." I nod. "I'll just stay here and she can stay there. You've said for a while you thought we should have representative in the games department. We promote Padma to that position which also solves the problem of the Bulgarians wanting a senior official." I smile at her.

I'd thought of it today. It just hit me in the middle of the funeral how much I didn't want to leave Hermione again and how I needed to find a solution. Then all of a sudden the idea came to me.

I look at her and her face splits into a huge grin and I know she likes the idea. "That's a good idea."

Before I can answer her she's kissing me. Kissing me with love and want. I kiss her back with equal vigor. This is our first night back together and I'm not going to waste it.

A/N: So sorry for late upday=temy computer broke :( Hope everyone is still enjoying thnaks