He held her real close pulling her to his chest as he kissed her full of passion. He literally asked of one day together and he ended up getting more than he thought he would. He saw the fear in her eyes and apprehension about going back to the manor. It's why he asked her first instead of just taking her there. He nodded as she got up from his lap. " yea darling we can go " he said getting up with her barely even saying goodnight to anyone. All he saw was her. He kept his hand on the small of her back as he walked out with her to take her home for the evening. " are you ready?" He asked her before apparating them back to the manor.

Draco's hand on the small of her back was a reassuring presence as they walked out of the party together. They were walking past not only some of Draco's friends but also the guy from the beginning who glared first at her then at Draco. He grumbled a little knowing where both were probably going. Hermione felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness about the prospect of spending more time with him in a different setting. When he asked if she was ready, she took a deep breath and nodded, giving him a small smile. "Yes, I am." She knew that the manor held both painful and complex memories for both of them but all she wanted rightnow was being with him. As they apparated, Hermione's surroundings changed in an instant, and she found herself standing in front of the manor once again. She looked around, taking in the grandeur of the place. "It's been a while since I've been here," she admitted softly, her eyes flickering to Draco, and swallowed slightly as her body tensed a little.

Draco kinda already knew that Hermione would be leaving the party with him. He didn't know it would be like this though. As usual , he always got what he wanted. That much was true and it would never change. He just had a different approach now. He took her back to the manor and opened the door walking ahead of her a bit and let her walk inside willingly. He wouldn't force it just when she was ready. " it's okay I promise. It's just us " he saw that look in her eyes , mixture of nervousness and excitement to be alone together. He was just trying to make a point that everything was so different now and he needed her to see that for herself. There was some changes in progress here. All the barriers he had up , it was actually the safest house in the city.

It was really unusual for Hermione to give in that fast. Maybe it was the fact that she finally got the attention from him that she always hoped for, that made her follow him that easily. It felt like he had cast a spell over her. Nobody would ever believe that this night happened. At least nobody would believe it who wasn't there at the party as well. Hermiones gaze followed Draco as he went inside the manor. She had to take a deep breath before she followed him inside, her eyes scanning her surroundings. It was a strange feeling to be back here after all the time, and she couldn't help but remember the fear and darkness that used to hang over this place. However, she saw that Draco was trying to show her a different side of the manor now. As he reassured her that it was just the two of them, she nodded, a small smile on her lips. "I trust you," she said softly, meeting his gaze and slowly got closer. Standing right next to him she looked around and it was true, something felt different. " Never thought i would see this place again.."

Draco couldn't help but smile hearing her say that she trusted him. Once she was inside he closed the door behind her. He took her hand lacing his fingers with hers. " I never thought I would see you again .. thought it would take a little more convincing to get you here. I just have done something right" he smiled a bit looking her in the eyes. He heard an owl screech and land in the kitchen. He groaned a bit " not now.. " he said walking through the main part of the house rather quickly to shoo the bird away. He took the letter the owl left and shoved it in his pocket and gave the owl a little treat that he was looking for and waited for the feathered creature to leave and shut the window and locked it. He knew what the letter was about and just didn't want to know right now. He walked back over to Hermione. " sorry about that. Somehow those owls really know how to tell time. " he said with a chuckle " now .. how about I give you a proper tour. "

Hermione walked alongside Draco as he led her through the manor, lacing her fingers with his and holding his hand tight while her gaze scanned her surrounding. His words made her smile, and she felt a warmth in her chest at the idea that he had actually done something right to bring her here. He was right, somehow he really did something right. Hermione was surprised by herself that she actually came here with him. Was she really drawn to Malfoy? She shook the thoughts off when an owl interrupted their moment, she watched as Draco quickly dealt with it then looked around again. She could see some Portraits here and there , hanging on the walls. One quickly got her attention, It was Draco on it when he was smaller. It looked like a portrait of him when he was in the 2th year in Hogwarts. A soft smile formed on her lips. When she heared Draco, she turned to face him again "No problem, they do have impeccable timing, don't they?" Hermione gently rubbed her own arm as her gaze wandered to the letter that he was putting in his pocket " Don't you think it could be something important? I mean ... after all that happens in your life rightnow" she asked with a soft tone.

Draco smirked hearing her tell him that he probably shouldn't ignore the letter "you are a nosey little thing aren't you?" he teased her "its probably just the same contents as it was yesterday. Its just from my mother..about him.."he said softly not ready to take it out just yet to see what bad news Narcissa had for him today. "If something terrible had happened Mother would have told me herself and not sent an owl" he smirked " do you still have the cat? it could help with the owl problem around here" he half joked trying to lighten the mood. He noticed that she found the wall of portraits in the entry way leading up the stairs , mostly of him from a baby up till around 18. He was more amused that he hadn't smiled for a picture since he was about 5. After that he looked basically the same in all the photos just slightly older or taller.

Hermione chuckled at Draco's playful accusation of her nosiness. "Well, curiosity is a trait of mine," she admitted with a grin. She listened as he mentioned that the letter was likely from his mother, and she understood that he might not be eager to read it right now. It was clear that the situation with his family was complex and emotionally charged. At the mention of her cat, Crookshanks, she laughed softly. "Oh, Crookshanks would love to chase after the owls, but I think that might cause even more chaos. He's quite adventurous, you know." Her attention was caught by the portraits on the wall again, displaying the progression of Draco's life. She stepped closer, her eyes scanning the images with interest. "You haven't changed much," she commented with a playful smile, her gaze moving from portrait to portrait. "Still have that characteristic Draco Malfoy expression." She looked at him with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"yea the organge fur ball" he said with a chuckle "well hey its a big house i'm sure Crookshanks will find somewhere to explore and run around for a bit." he smiled a bit watching her look through the portraits on the wall He was a lot happier in them when it was just him and his mother in the early years. His father poped up in them much more often as he reached 12. "its weird..I still feel like hes watching everything I do and judging every mistake" he told her honestly. "Did you know the day he got arrested he tried to take me with him..accused me of all sorts of things. He told them that I was the one that Killed Dumbledor. We all know that wasn't true..." he spoke softly and ticked his gaze down at her for a moment.

She chuckled a bit and smiled when he talked about Crookshanks. She listened to Draco's words, her heart went out to him. It was clear that the weight of his past, especially his father's actions and influence, was still affecting him. She moved closer to him, her expression sympathetic. "I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for you, Draco...and i can not understand why you Father was or is that way. Always thought there must have been a reason for you to look up at him like you used to..." She reached out and gently placed her hand on his arm, offering a comforting touch " i never believed you could hurt anyone.. never." Her gaze switched between his eyes as she slowly reached up for his cheek. Placing her hand on his skin, her hand was still cold from being nervous. She rubbed his cheek with her thumb before she continued speaking, almost whispering "you're not defined by your past,. You've been working to change and make amends, and that's what matters. I've seen it today"

Draco took in a deep breath and noded " no I did look up to him, idolized him for years. I wanted to be just like him one day. Its what he wanted after all. Only child problems" he said with a smirk. " He had no one else to mold and impose his thoughts on. I was about 6 or so when I started to see him for what he was. I was too young to fully understand it but the signs were there. My parents didn't marry for love..it was arranged. The same thing they tried to do to me..I just don't believe in that sort of thing. It has to be real if you're going to be with someone for the rest of your life and have a family someday. My mother and Father are two VERY different people Hermione. My father is obsessed with pure blood famlies and what that means. He impoosed those ideals on me at a very young age, I didn't know anything different" he told her honestly and leaned his face into her hand for a moment. It was still warmer than his touch even now. he placed his hand ontop of hers and smiled a little and leaned down to kiss her wrist.

Hermione listened attentively as Draco opened up about his family dynamics and the early influences that shaped him. "It's understandable how family expectations and influences can shape our perspectives." The young witch had to admit that the thought of a marriage being arranged for him bothered her for a reason that she still didn't fully understand. "You are their only child, i guess that is why they or at least your father wants you to marry a pureblood i guess. To keep the Legacy of Malfoy going " Her voice was quiet and she looked down for a moment. His gesture of kissing her wrist made her heart flutter, and she looked up at him , forcing herself to smile soflty "I'm glad you're recognizing what truly matters to you, Draco," she continued. "You deserve happiness on your own terms"

He didn't know why he was being so honest with her and telling so much in one day. Maybe he just needed her to understand, his own background and the family's to help her understand that he was trying to change everything now. Break the vicious cycle his father carried on. He would never forgive himself if he even raised his voice at Hermione. Even if it meant nothing and turned out to be a stupid argument. Everything his father was he was trying to do the oposite. "yea they tried to set up me , last christmas was going to be the engagement anouncement party thing..it didn't work. It didn't last should I say. We called it off 2 months later. It wasn't right. Sure we got along fine but it wasn't love. Theres a difference"

Arranged marriages were a concept that felt so foreign to her, but she knew they were quite common in certain circles, particularly among pure-blood families."It's incredibly brave of you to stand up for what you believe in, even if it means going against your family's wishes," she said sincerely. One part of her was relieved that it didn't work out for them but the other part felt sorry for Draco "Love is something that should come naturally, not something that can be arranged or forced. I'm glad you recognized that and chose to follow your heart." She brushed his cheek one more time with her thumb before slowly pulling back her and. Taking a look around then back to him "As for me...It also didnt really work out with Ron. It got to a point where he just annoyed me" She paused and slightly shrugged "It all happened too fast and he almost pushed me to get married with him"

Draco smirked a bit hearing her talk about Ron and how it all didn't work out like they had thought it would . " Oh really? Weasel annoyed you. I could have told you that years ago. " he said with a chuckle and took her hand leading her upstairs. " I never did see it between you two. or what you were trying for . But hey ..we all have a past right? sometimes it just doesn't work out like we planned. " he said looking her up and down " what do you mean, he forced you.."

Hermione chuckled at Draco's comment about Ron. "Well, you weren't exactly wrong," she admitted with a playful smile. She followed his lead as he led her upstairs. " we all have a past yes" Hermione agreed and looked around here and then while walking up the stairs. It was impressive how big that building was and she couldn't imagine that only 3 people used to live here. Thinking about it now, it was only Draco here which didn't really make it better. She wondered how lonely he must feel sometimes being here by his own. When Draco looked her up and down and asked her what she meant with that she looked away and took a deep breath " For some reason he got really eager to finally marry me. Whenever i told him that i needed time it ended up with a big argue " Her gaze then met his again

It still bothered Draco that in some twisted universe he was related to the Weasleys, distant cousins. All pure bloods were related. Just so happen their familes were compelte opposites. Sirius Black was his Mothers cousin, made it even more Awkward that Aunt Bella was the one to do him in. That just goes to show how different families can be even that closely related. "I'm glad you finally came to your senses Granger. " he took her upstairs to the main part of the second floor and went to the biggest room that had a balcony that over looked the back yard which extended 2 acres into the just wanted her to see the beauty in the property that it wasn't all doom and gloom here.

She nodded slighty as she followed him into the big room. " Yes i am also glad. I guess him talking about wanting kids the size of a quidditch team didn't really make it any better " Hermione couldn't help but chuckle it off. Hermione glanced around the room, taking in its grandeur and the view from the balcony. The property was indeed beautiful, and the contrast between the elegance of the room and the darkness of the past intrigued her. "This is a stunning view," she said, walking over to the balcony and looking out at the sprawling backyard and the woods beyond. The moonlight cast a gentle glow on the landscape, giving it an almost magical quality. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air and moment.

"of course Ron wanted that many kids, thats what hes used to" he said with a chuckle "Thats insanity to ask that of someone." he said looking over at her watching her roam the room and get a feel for the place. "its not so bad in here, it was Father's office. Still in the process of changing it up a bit. Maybe some fresh paint. I was thinking a blue of some kind" Draco said following her to the balcony as he walked up behind her and snaked his arm around her waist. He just wanted to be close to her for a moment. "You can stay as long as you want, you're not a prisoner here. " he told her softly and kissed her cheek from behind. He wanted her to have that freedom to come and go as she pleased.

"First i thought he meant it as a joke but the more he talked about it the more serious it felt" Her eyes were still closed when Draco got closer. Feeling his arm slowly slide around her waist, hermione leaned into Draco's embrace. Him being this close again, sent her once again shiver down her spine. "Thank you," she whispered softly, looking out over the landscape, her hands placed on his arms. She remaind in this position for a while and enjoyed his warmth and the view. she began to Imagin him growing up here as a little boy. As she slowly turned to face him, she gave him a sincere smile. " Do you have any colors in mind ? " she asked, her fingers absentmindedly tracing a pattern on the fabric of his shirt.

He nuzzled her neck a little as she spoke taking in her scent, he wasn't going to try anything he just wanted to be close to her. "playing around with different colors here and there, a blue grey..just something brighter than this" he said looking around the room a bit , it was more of a dark grey almost black in here. He did like nature and the ocean and the lakes around here. He was going for something nautical. "Theres still so much you don't know darling, maybe one day you will. " he was really hoping there would be a next time and she would come back. He didn't know what it was about her or how this happened but he was starting to fall for her.

Hermione couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her as Draco nuzzled her neck gently. It was a surprisingly tender gesture from someone she had known as a rival for so long. She glanced around the room, taking in the dark tones and imagining how it might look with a brighter color palette. "Change can be a good thing" she nearly whispered, her fingers continuing their absentminded tracing on his shirt. Her gaze shifted to his eyes, and she found herself getting lost in their depth. "You're right, there's still so much I don't know about you, and I'd like to learn more. But it's a journey, isn't it?" Her gaze slowly wandered to his lips again as she spoke , then back up in his eyes. It was obvious that not only him but also Granger started to fall for him with each second that passed

"yea change can be good sometimes" he said softly looking her in the eyes. It was nice to know he wasn't the only one feeling like this and wanted something more with her. He always thought that maybe if something was different then , then maybe they might have been friends at the very least. To have gotten a long better. "well I can't tell you everything at once now can I ? what will we talk about tomorrow" he teased her and rubbed her waist. He had been looking around at art work to find something new to hang on the walls once he was done with the remodeling and make was an art show coming up over the weekend, he was curious if she wanted to join him for a little extra fun something less than the party normal and relaxing.