Draco had kept his word. Hermione hadn't doubted that, but she was surprised it happened so easily. When she woke, her wand was at her bedside, and when she looked out the window, the barriers were gone. She snatched her wand and used it for practically everything. To turn on the shower, to brush her teeth while she did her hair, and even to make her cup of coffee that morning.

With a wave of her wand, all the books she wanted were pulled off the shelves and placed on the table. As she double and triple checked notes for her vampire counter curse, she heard heavy coughing from Astoria downstairs.

Quickly, she rushed to her room. Daphne was already by her bedside, massaging her scalp gently and dabbing her mouth with a cloth. Astoria's eyes were fluttering between open and close, and she tried to mumble something to her sister.

"Is everything okay?" Hermione asked.

"Tori's running a fever, I've given her several potions but they're not working," Daphne said in a hushed voice. "Might need to call a healer."

Hermione saw the blood on the white cloth in Daphne's hand and realized how little time they had left. The healer Daphne summoned came within the hour, however, did not seem keen on staying long at all. She gave a quick assessment, set some vials down, and left without much else help.

"Nasty woman," Hermione muttered as she looked over the vials, making sure what was prescribed to Astoria was adequate for her symptoms. "Very poor care. We should write a complaint about her."

"It's typical, Hermione," Daphne said, defeatedly. "Since my father was outed, it's been hard to come by good care for Tori."

"That's just awful," Hermione said, believing every word she was saying. It only made sense for the medical staff under Voldemort's reign were as cruel as he was.

"Should have tried for medical school instead of law," Daphne tried to laugh, but it fell flat.

"You'll get into law school soon, Daphne. Don't give up on your dreams."

"They're going on hold for now. I can't leave while she's so sick," she sighed. "Nowhere around here will take me. I can't go back to Germany."

"You're smart, Daphne. And you work really hard, any program would be lucky to have you. If you want, I can look over your applications and letters. An extra set of eyes always helps I think."

Daphne tucked the sheets under Astoria, pressing the back of her hand against her forehead again to check her temperature. "I'd really like that, Hermione."

They went over her several applications while they tended to Astoria. She hadn't been able to lift her head, and laid quietly aside from her coughs. A few hours later, Hermione heard the front door open and the sound of Draco's bootsteps up the stairs. There was a concerned look on his face when he poked his head into the room.

"Hey, Tori," he said sweetly.

"Draco," she forced out, smiling happily. Her head attempted to lift itself from the pillow but had little success.

"Oh, of course when you come home she rises from the dead," Daphne scoffed. "What's it like being the favorite?"

"Well, Daph, she is my wife. Of course I am her favorite," Draco joked before becoming a little more serious. "What did the healer say?"

"Same thing as they always do. Rest and pain relief," she replied.

"That healer didn't know shit," Astoria said a bit breathlessly. "The Order healers are better than any Ministry appointed one."

"Who treated you, Astoria?" Hermione asked.

"Luna Lovegood. She was quite lovely, and I actually felt better after she saw me."

Draco shifted uncomfortably after he heard Luna's name. "I'm sure we could find a good healer for you soon, Tori."

"I know it seems unlikely, but when you see Harry, can you ask if Luna will see me as a patient?" Astoria asked.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he said, sitting at the end of her bed.

Hermione looked at Astoria's sad expression, seeing how much she needed care and kindness. "I'll ask, Astoria."

"Thank you, Hermione," she smiled.

They all talked for a while longer, played some cards, ate dinner in bed, and kept Astoria company until she became too tired to keep her eyes opened. The time was riddled with bouts of coughing and having to give her medicines. When she fell asleep, Hermione and Draco left the room together and made their way to the manor's library.

"Do you really think that's a good idea? Having Luna take care of Tori, after what I've done," he asked.

"I'm not sure, I haven't seen her in months. But she is kind, she wouldn't wish ill on Astoria. I miss her a lot."

"I'll take you to them soon, baby," he assured, kissing her temple. "I talked to Theodore, he said billywigs and mooncalf blood is no problem, he can gather that himself. We've arranged a business trip to go to China next week, so we can try to wrangle those dragon scales."

"I'll get packed. I've got lots of notes on how best to obtain the…"

Draco shook his head. "No, it's too dangerous. You'll stay here."

It annoyed Hermione that he still was trying to keep her chained. She had proven time and time again that she was fully capable of handling herself. Preservation of the dragon scales would require refined and delicate hands, and she had been researching it so thoroughly. It would be stupid for him not to take her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up at him, batting her eyelashes. "Please, baby," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair as she drew herself closer to him. "I need to go with you. I know the procedure on how to preserve the exothermic chemical reaction of the dragon scale so they retain their warming properties."

"Merlin, you're so fucking sexy when you're being a smartass. But I'm not letting you near a dragon, Granger."

Hermione's hand slid to the collar of his shirt, and she slowly undid the first button. "But Draco…" the next button, "You're a dragon…." another button.

She gasped when his hand went to her throat and he began to kiss her ear. "Why do you always fucking do this to me?" he asked, nipping at her lobe. "You drive me fucking insane."

He lifted her up and set her onto the desk, falling to his knees as his fingers looped into her waistband. Before he could move any further, she pressed her knee into the center of his chest, stopping him from moving closer.

"Bring me with you," she demanded, looking into his hungry, silver eyes. "Don't make me ask again."

"It should be illegal the way you look right now. I want to devour you."

"Draco…"

"I should not be negotiating with you when my cock is hard."

"Baby…" she said softly.

"Fucking hell. Fine, Granger. You can come with me and Teddy to see the big, scary dragon. Now can I please eat your cunt?"

Hermione smirked, seeing him fold to her request. She moved her knee away from his chest. "Since you asked so nicely."

—

Hermione and Draco sat on the porch of the old, white house waiting to hear the cracking noise to signal the arrival of Harry. It was difficult for her to wrap her head around her own emotions. She was nervous and needed to know what the hell was happening with the Order. Divisions among the members when they seemed so close to victory would create setbacks, especially when aid was coming for Voldemort quickly from vampires.

She wanted to meet with Moody and Kingsley and shake some sense into them, to get a better control of everyone. Of course, George Weasley would do everything in his power to rescue those in Azkaban, and he was charismatic enough to get others to follow his lead. She knew he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the war and how slow paced it felt. Kingsley had restricted him, setting ground rules to keep him and others safe with how explosive he was. However, he would always listen to Harry, even more so than she did.

Three figures Apparated in the field in front of them, and Draco groaned when he saw the red hair of two of the men standing before them. Before Hermione could stand, Draco's arm went out to keep her sitting on the wooden bench.

"This is going to be real fucking interesting," he muttered under his breath. "Do not leave my side, Granger."

"What's wrong?" she asked, seeing at his intense glare at the three men. Draco didn't answer her, he simply stood and held Hermione's hand almost too tightly.

"Don't step any fucking closer," Draco called out to them. "Especially not them."

Harry, confused, stopped them from moving any closer. "Malfoy, calm down. We've just come here to talk."

"Not those two," he glared at Ron.

"Look, I just wanted to see Hermione for myself and make sure she was okay," George said, holding his hands up.

Draco scoffed, nearly spitting in his direction. "So typical of you. Undisciplined and chaotic. First, a less than thought out raid of Azkaban against the orders of your own and now, you're attempting to take Granger away from me? You really are an idiot."

"Look, I'm not going anywhere," Hermione interrupted, pulling her hand from Draco and stepping in front of him. "We need to get our shit together, so please, can we just be civilized for the next fifteen minutes?"

George's stunned look at Hermione shocked her. It was full of confusion and pain, and as much as she wanted to turn away, she didn't.

"What has he done to you, Hermione?" he pleaded. "You're my sister. Come home."

"I can't, George. Not yet," she replied.

George began to walk towards her, not caring about the looming vampire standing just behind. Ron followed in suit, backing his older brother. Hermione attempted to stop Draco as he moved around her, but he could barely do more than grip onto his cloak before he stormed towards the brothers.

"I'll kill you if you touch her, I don't care that Potter is here," he growled.

"Draco, stop," Hermione begged, running after him and reaching for his arm.

She stood in between them, holding her hand to his chest. He looked down at her, his eyes softening. The abnormal beating of his heart returned to its slowed pace, making Hermione feel more at ease. Taking a few steps back, he breathed deeply.

"Count your stars that she's merciful," he spat at them.

"Ron, George, you both need to leave. Now," Harry demanded. It shocked Hermione how forceful he was. Usually, he wore kid gloves with Ron, making excuses for his actions, letting him act out when he wanted. It was nice to see him put his foot down.

George shook his head, looking back at Harry with disdain. "I can't believe you're okay with letting this shit happen, Harry. Not just to her, to all of them."

With the sound of a crack, he was gone. Ron frustratedly ran his fingers through his hair and walked over to Harry.

"You know this is fucked, right?"

Harry ignored him, and Hermione's heart broke seeing the two people she once cared about more than anything breaking apart. The trio felt inseparable at one point, and now everything was so different.

Ron disappeared, and Draco relaxed fully. Hermione took a breath of relief, the tension finally gone, but she felt sick. The look of betrayal in George's eyes, the coldness of Harry, the frustration of Ron, the anger of Draco. It was all so overwhelming for her.

"You need to get them under control, or they'll ruin everything," Draco said to Harry.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry asked softly, noticing her staring off listlessly.

"She's fine, Potter," Draco said before looking at Hermione. "Granger?"

Her hands went to the side of her head, a ringing in her ears started and her head began to hurt, "I'm fine, just give me a minute."

"Breathe, Granger," he whispered, placing his hand on her back. "Your heart is racing. Take a deep breath."

"I'm fine," she said angrily, pushing him away. "Harry, what's going on? You can't keep hold of things for just a little while longer?"

Harry sighed, "George has his own ideas and a mind of his own. What he did was successful and he is just overly confident now. We're reeling him in, don't worry, Hermione."

They went inside, made tea, and spoke for a while longer. Draco and Harry gave status reports, and Hermione tried her best to focus and listen, but her mind was wandering. The soft squeeze of Draco's hand over hers would bring her back to the conversation, but she would quickly fade away after.

"Can I have a minute alone with Harry?" Hermione asked.

Draco kissed her head before exiting the home, leaving Hermione and Harry alone. Harry fixed them more tea, and sat next to her.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"I wanted to ask you something. Astoria, she's really sick. And since she's a Greengrass, she doesn't receive adequate care. I was wondering if Luna or someone could see her a few times a week. If you could spare just a few hours."

"I will ask her. But I think we can get something arranged."

Hermione sipped her tea and observed Harry. He looked tired again, the heavy bags under his eyes amplified by his glasses.

"Thank you, Harry."

"Of course, Hermione," he replied, wrapping his arm around her and giving her a light hug. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. It was quiet between them for a few moments, and she felt her mind finally clear. Before he spoke again, he cleared his throat. "So, you and Malfoy are getting close, huh?"

Hermione's heart sank in her chest. She hadn't had to face the reality of that yet, as she and Draco were together in just a bubble they had created for one another. But it was coming out now, slowly bleeding into her life outside the walls of Malfoy Manor.

"It's complicated, Harry. Please, don't judge me."

"Just be careful. That's all I ask."

—

Hermione followed quietly behind Draco and Theodore on the trek through the forest. She did her best to keep up with them as they made their way to a cave hidden under a cliff side. Theodore had tracked several Chinese fireballs in the area before, and knew where they may be resting.

Several days were spent preparing endlessly, making sure she got every detail right. It took an entire day just to enchant a bag that would prevent the dragon scale from losing heat. The scales would need to be taken fresh from the dragon and attached to the inside of the bag immediately. It was enchanted with several spells that made it act as if it were living dragon skin.

The weather was quite cool, so Hermione was bundled in a cloak and thick dragonhide gloves. Astoria, from her bed, guided Hermione on items she'd need to take for the cool weather they'd experience in the northern provinces in China. Of course, they weren't just any regular garments, but Astoria insisted.

They walked for several hours before coming upon the mouth of a cave. Hermione had guessed it was nearly fifty feet tall. And though the air around her was cold, the opening of the mouth of the cave was steaming.

"Keep up and stay close," Theodore said to them before entering the darkness.

Draco was hovering over Hermione, their wands drawn with silencing charms casted on them. Since they just needed a scale, Theodore had stressed that the best way of obtaining it was to be quick and stealthy.

It took only thirty minutes until they stumbled upon three sleeping dragons curled up in a large cavern. In her studies, Hermione had known that this particular species was known to gather more than others, with three seeming to be the maximum number they coexist with.

Though she had seen them before, as it was one of the dragons used during the Triwizard Tournament, she was stunned by their beauty. Their bright scarlet scales were illuminated by their wands that nearly made them look iridescent. She had nearly forgotten how large they were supposed to be until she stood near them.

Theodore approached the closest one slowly and Hermione held her bag open. She had told him they needed scales from the belly region, if possible, and at least two. In his hand was a large knife, and he carefully wedged it under one of the scales.

They all three stood in silence, waiting to see if there was a reaction from the sleeping beast. When all they heard was the deep breaths from the dragon, Theodore began to gently pry it out.

Every second felt excruciatingly long as Theodore's gloved fingers wiggled the scale side to side, and it came loose. He gingerly held it out for Hermione and she quickly scooped it up, hurriedly placing it into the bag. She whispered the incantations and sealed the scale to the interior, feeling its warmth as she closed the vessel.

Theodore repeated the steps carefully, and the second scale was obtained and secured within the enchanted bag. Hermione's shaky hands stilled, and she felt herself finally take a breath.

It was much too soon, because as they began to back away to safety, a rumble was felt deep inside the cave. The dragon they just pulled scales from began to stir, its nostrils flaring.

Hermione clutched the scales closely to her, her wand drawn, but knowing most spells would be useless against them.

"Don't move," Theodore hushly said as the dragon fully stood. It began to sniff the air and growled, alerting the other two dragons.

It locked eyes with Theodore, its teeth baring and a thick smoke began to bellow from its nostrils.

"Okay, run now!" Theodore yelled.

Draco grabbed Hermione abruptly, pulling her back towards the entrance of the cave. Hermione began to cough violently as the smell of sulfur began to fill the right space and smoke burned her eyes. She felt Draco's arms wrap around her just before their bodies went flying deep into the cave, her head hitting the ground with a thud, making her dizzy. When Hermione sat up in a daze, she saw Draco several feet away from her, lying prone.

She rushed over to him as fast as she could, crawling on her hands and knees, a throbbing pain shooting through her body. The only thing she found near her was her wand and the dragon scale bag.

There were large gouges across his back, seeping blood out onto the cave floor. The wounds, if made by any other means, would have healed fully by the time she limped over to him, but the natural magic imbued in dragons themselves made these injuries much more lethal.

Theodore was shielding himself from balls of fire that were being hurled at him at different angles. A few went in Hermione's direction, illuminating her surroundings, the spattering of them throwing hot embers towards her. Weakly, she casted Levicorpus, and Draco's body began to hover off the ground.

Hermione frantically looked around for a place of safety and saw a crack in the wall of the cave. Getting onto her feet, she pulled Draco along with her through it. It descended into a small opening where she laid him on his side.

The wounds were still open and profusely bleeding, and Draco was fluttering in and out of consciousness. She attempted to cast spells to heal them, but in her own weakened state, only managed to slow the bleeding.

"Draco? Draco stay with me please," she said as calmly as she could, ripping her slightly singed cloak and packing his wounds. Pulling his head into her lap, she tapped his cheek softly, but he didn't respond. "Draco, wake up please!"

Panic began to set in, and she hit his cheek harder to wake him. Her hands were covered in blood, trembling. She forced herself to think, to put aside her feelings and just think logically for a moment. These injuries, though deep, wouldn't kill him. He would heal, but heal slowly. And though they had safety for now, Theodore was still out there, and they both needed to escape as well. She didn't have a healer's kit, or any medicinal herbs or potions on her, so speeding up the process would be near impossible.

However, vampiric healing could be enhanced with blood. That was a certainty she had.

Without a second thought, she grabbed her wand and sliced her wrist, holding it against his freezing lips. Her blood dripped slowly into him, and his eyes began to open as his hands went to her wrist, holding it tightly. The force at which he latched his fingers made her yelp in pain, but she remained still, letting him lap at her open skin.

The sides of her vision began to black, feeling light headed from her aching head and her blood being siphoned away. His cold tongue against her cut felt like a reprieve, and made her gasp with each touch of it.

Hermione leaned her head back against the jagged stone wall, feeling a strange sense of calm as her eyes began to close.

It was seconds later, or so she thought, that Draco was calling her name softly between coughs.

"Granger?" he said, his voice weak. She turned and saw him sitting upright next to her against the cave wall. "Where's Theodore?"

"I'm not sure," she said, her head was pounding and she was desperate for a drink of water.

In an attempt to stand up, Draco winced and breathed out between his teeth. "Fucking hell, that thing got me good."

"You need more blood," Hermione said, reaching for her wand again to create a new cut.

Draco grabbed her arm and took the wand away from her reach. "No. I'm fine, just need a minute."

"You're still bleeding," she argued and almost continued to lecture him until the ethereal glow of a messenger Patronus caught her eye.

The calming blue light emitting from the bloodhound came towards the pair, and Theodore's soft voice came from it. "Made it out of the cave and I'm safe, but the dragons went back in. Merlin, hope you guys are okay. Let me know when you're ready to make a break for it, I'll cause a distraction outside."

Wisps of blue evaporated into the air, and they both breathed a sigh of relief knowing their friend was safe outside. Hermione tried to reach for her wand again, but Draco just pulled her closer to him. The blood seeping from his side began to soak into her clothes. "We're not in a rush now, I can take the time to heal."

"It will take too long. We at least need to send word to Teddy," she said, trying to fight against him, but in his current state he was still much stronger than her.

"I don't trust that you won't cut yourself again if you have your wand in your hand."

"Then you send him the message," she rolled her eyes.

Draco held his wand to his neck, muttering a few things. When he went to send it towards the exit, Hermione saw the blue light leave the tip, but nothing else. No snake or dog or even bird manifested. There was nothing. Perhaps it was something small, like an insect, or perhaps it was too big that it took time to take shape.

Or maybe he didn't have one at all. A life so full of sadness that one couldn't conjure a Patronus. It was something even Harry could do, finding light in his dark world. Hermione reached for his hand, holding it tightly before she moved it to check the wounds behind him. He leaned forward, and though they looked better than before, were still open and bleeding.

"Please, let me help you, Draco," she said softly, pushing him back against the cave wall.

"I don't want to hurt you," he whispered to her.

She pulled herself on top of his lap, facing his direction. Her head tilted, and she exposed her neck, offering herself to him. It was against every boundary she made herself impose. His fingers, his cock, and finally, his teeth.

There wasn't more she could do to give herself to him. This was all she had left, offered on a silver platter, just as he had said.

"You won't hurt me, Draco. I know you won't," she whispered, kissing his ear. "You're in pain, and I want it to stop."

"Are you sure?" he asked, handing her wand back.

"Yes."

"What if I can't stop?" he asked nervously against her skin.

She ran her fingers through his hair. "You have to, or I'll die."

His arm wrapped around her waist, and she felt the familiar touch of his lips against her throat. Then, a chill ran up her spine as his tongue licked right at her pulse point. The tips of his fangs pressed into her neck, and she could taste his hesitation. Hermione pressed up against him, pushing his fangs deeper. Her flesh opened for him as if she were a ripe peach, trickling down her body and flowing into him.

The first drink he took from her made her moan, feeling the blood rush away and a lightness in her head. It was euphoric, the gentle sucking of his lips on her neck and his arms wrapped around her. She wanted him to drink more of her, she wanted him to drain her of every drop with how good it felt.

With every gulp he took of her, the more she faded into the darkness. Her eyes were closing, and she felt peace. The grip her fingers had in his hair had become loose, and her arms fell to the side.

"Granger?" she heard him call out. His cold hands were cupping her face, holding her upright. "Baby, come back to me," he said softly as her eyes began to open.

The way Draco looked in the dim light was breathtaking. His silver eyes were no longer cold or evil to her, it was as if she could see the stars in them again.

"You're so beautiful," she mumbled in her stupor. Her eyes wandered his face, and she saw her blood coating his lips. "I knew you'd be able to stop."

Draco laughed softly. "I guess my need to be with you outweighed my desire to drink every drop of your blood."

She rested her forehead against his, and breathed deeply for a moment before her own curiosity got the best of her. Closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around his neck, she dragged her tongue up his chin and across his lips, tasting herself off of him.

"Fucking hell," he gasped out. "Must you always be so fuckable? We both could have died and you're soaked, Granger."

"Oh, shut up, Malfoy," she blushed, trying to hide her smile from him. He kissed the side of her face and lifted her off the ground.

"Let's go before poor Theodore thinks we're dead in here."