Times Have Changed

Hey all!!! much thanks for waiting so paitently =]. I've decided instead of lying to you and saying that I'm going to be posting weekly, I'm going to be honest and say I'm going to be posting biweekly. Unfortunately my schedule doesn't permit me to write as much as i'd like to so I've decided to give myself a bit more time between posts.

MANY MANY MANY thanks to those who reviewed =] you guys flatter me srsly lol =]. I would address each of you individually but I have a calculus exam tomorrow and I must study!!!.

Oh and when you see *" Insert text here "* it means thoughts or in draco's case a conversation in his head.

So in short here is Chapter 4 of Times Have Changed.

Enjoy!!! oh and please R&R !!!!

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Draco felt a prick and a slight tug at the back of his mind, either Pansy or Snape were trying to get his attention, he opened his mind and allowed their minds to link.

*"What?"* Draco hissed, his face cool as he walked hand in hand with Hermione to the Gryffindor table.

*"Are you trying to get yourself killed!? What if your father finds out? You know there are people here who would love to give him the news that his only son and heir is dating a mud- muggleborn"* Pansy's mind screeched.

"We're not dating, yet, and I'm pretty sure he already knows" Draco took his seat beside Hermione, Ginny across from the two and a very obvious gap between between them and Ron and Harry sitting a few feet away.

Draco wrapped an arm possessively around Hermione's waist and pulled her closer, Hermione smiled up at him then reached for a grape and popped it into her mouth completely unaware of the conversation that was going on between Draco and Pansy.

"Not dating huh?"

"Yet" Draco corrected grabbing a piece of pineapple with his other hand and putting it in his mouth.

"Look Drake, I don't know what you see in her but I'm behind you every step of the way".

Draco looked up at Pansy eyes wide but a thankful smile on his face "Thanks Pans".

"yup" Pansy chirped

Draco cut off the link between them and continued eating his lunch arm still around Hermione.

"What was that?" Hermione whispered softly

Draco leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips "I'll explain later" he promised as he licked his lips the taste of grapes and pineapple mixing together.

Hermione nodded giving him a soft, warm smile then continuing with her lunch.

"So when are you two making it official?" Ginny chimed in

Hermione and Draco both looked up at her a question mark on their faces.

"You know your relationship." The entire Great Hall had gone quiet as soon as Ginny had asked the question tension bubbling just beneath the surface while everyone waited for a response.

"oh" Hermione breathed in a deep breath for once in her life unsure how to answer the question "well..."

Draco smirked then leaned over and whispered softly in Hermione's ear "Hermione will you do me the pleasure of being my girlfriend?" Hermione blushed crimson and nodded in response.

"Its official" Draco chimed happily placing a kiss on Hermione's forehead. The previously quiet hall was now buzzing with a combination hushed whispers, gasps, and giggles.

Hermione beamed, magic softly swirling in a soft shade of pink around her in response to her very happy state.

*"What are you doing!?"* Snape's voice violently broke into Draco's thoughts causing him to hiss and rub his forehead. Hermione looked up at her new boyfriend concern written on her face. "Explain later remember" Draco promised again. Hermione nodded then continued her conversation with Ginny on the difference between Chemistry in the muggle world and potions in the wizarding world.

*"What do you mean what am I doing?"* Draco responded glaring at his head of house for the violent interruption.

*"You know very well what I am referring to"* Snapped hissed

*"I'm going to protect her Severus, I'd give my life for her. Mother and Father will just have to understand, even if that means me not being considered a Malfoy anymore."* Draco pulled Hermione closer in response to the conversation going on in his head earning a smile from Hermione.

*"Draco, you are to meet with your parents tomorrow evening, know that I am here for you if you need my services. You are a smart young man, despite your actions, I believe you are capable of convincing your parents that this is what is best for you, good luck."* Snape closed off the connection between him and his godson.

Draco glanced up at Snape in acknowledgment and took a final bit of chicken and placed it into his mouth. His thoughts once again leading to the meeting that was less than 24 hours away and the future that awaited him and his love.

"Malfoy, mind if we have a word?" Draco looked up to meet the concerned eyes of Harry Potter.

"I'll be back in a minute" Draco gave Hermione a kiss and followed Harry out of the Great Hall.

"Look Potter-"

"No you look here Malfoy, I don't know what she sees in you and I don't know what you're playing at but I want you to know that I am watching you, and if you do anything to hurt her I swear Malfoy you'll be truly sorry" Harry growled in a hushed whisper

Draco smirked "No need for the threats Potter, I'm not gong to hurt her."

Harry glared at Draco for a minute contemplating his words and analyzing his body language in search of some doubt, so sign that could give his lie away any little thing, Harry found nothing.

"I'm NOT going to hurt her Potter, she's all I have left, I'm going to lose everything I have for her but even those things don't amount to what she means to me" Draco looked at Potter daring him to find a flaw in his statement, he knew he wouldn't, she really was all she had left.

A few quiet moments past between the once sworn enemies until Harry nodded in understanding extending his hand "Truce?"

Draco looked at the hand stretched towards him then locked his with Harry's "truce".

"Right then, lets get back I'm more then positive shes getting worried." Draco nodded in response and took lead back to the Great Hall.

- - - - - - - -

"Hermione, I'm positive everything is alright" Ginny whispered, a extremely worried Hermione tapping her foot impatiently.

"But Ginny, you know Harry's temper and you know Draco's need to push his buttons what if something happened? They've been gone awfully long" Hermione glanced at the door eagerly, then again seconds later

"Relax everything is going to be alright" Ginny glanced at the door, eagerness starting to creep up her spine.

A few moments of silence passed and neither of the two had shown up yet. Hermione eagerly looked up at the door again to her relief it swung open to reveal the smiling face of the person she was looking for, instantly Hermione felt as if she had been given a calming potion.

Ginny sighed in relief "Thank Merlin, I was beginning to think they really had gone and killed on another" Ginny giggled.

"What was that Ginny?" Draco said as he sat down beside Hermione

"Herms over here was beginning to think you two had gone and killed one another."

Draco smirked "Do you really think Harry could out duel me?"

"If my memory serves me correctly, and it does, I already have" Harry reached for his cup and grinned over at Draco.

"Care for a rematch then?" Draco ginned slyly

"We all know who would win Draco-"

"Neither of you because this rematch isn't going to happen" Hermione gave a cold glare at both of them, a glare that would've have made Molly Weasley proud, a small crackle of magic cracked above her.

Harry gulped and Draco smirked "scared Potter?"

"Of Her yes, you no" Harry let out a nervous giggle then eyed Hermione nervously.

Draco chuckled "Maybe Boy Wonder isn't as tough as rumors say".

After a moment of awkward silence Harry and Draco began to discuss quidditch, to Harry's surprise Draco actually knew a few things he didn't. Time flew by the converstion had shifted between quidditch, family, beliefs, future plans and other random areas. For the second time today Draco had surprised Harry who actually found himself enjoying the conversation. "Care for a game of wizard's chess?" Harry asked eagerly. "Sure, I've always enjoyed a good game of Wizards chess I've just never had anyone to play with. Blaise isn't very fond of it and well Greg and Goyle aren't exactly tough competition if you get my drift".

Hermione and Ginny chatted on about holiday plans and looked on at the blossoming friendship in the midst.

"Looks like Harry's made a new best friend" Hermione stiffened in her seat, Ron, she had forgotten all about Ron.

"Hey Ron" Harry greeted cheerfully as he moved another piece and watched it smash Draco's grunt to a pulp.

Draco turned his attention to the bits an pieces of his grunt and frowned then turned his attention back to Ron and Harry.

"That's Weasley to you" Ron hissed "no friend of mine would befriend the git who stole his supposid best friend's girlfriend" Ron hissed.

"Ron first of all you did this to yourself it's not my fault you spent more time trying to control and manipulate her then trying to make her happy, second of all I can befriend whom I choose and thirdly this git you speak of isn't all that bad"

Ron glared at Harry then at Draco who now had his wand in hand ready to strike if needed. "You're pathetic, befriending a death eater after all that he's done".

Draco rolled his eyes, the whole 'death eater' insult was really getting old, choosing to stay out of the argument he stood up and grabbed his things. "I'll see you all later, I have some things that need tending to, thanks for the game Harry".

Harry nodded then glared at Ron "Anytime".

Hermione stood from her seat and followed Draco out of the great hall and to the dungeons where his room was located. Hermione plopped herself onto his oversized bed and sat down indian style in the center of the bed watching happily as Draco walked from the room to the bathroom then back into the bedroom now dressed in a black t-shirt and dark denim jeans.

"So I'm curious exactly what is it that you were planning on explaining later?"

Draco laid down beside Hermione on the bed pulling her down to lay with him, craddling her to his chest.

"Well there are two things actually, I don't really know how you'll take either".

Hermione listened to his heart beat quicken as he prepared himself for the next part of his speech.

"I'm meeting with my parents tomorrow, the subject of choice is most likely our relationship" Hermione felt his arms tighten around her "but I promise you no one can ever keep me from you".

Hermione nodded she knew things were just beginning for them but already she felt confident in their relationship. Draco wasn't like the rest of the male population at Hogwarts, despite being known as the male whore of Hogwarts she knew that there was more to the man behind the mask.

"and second, well this is going to sound really odd but I can link myself with others".

Hermione looked up at him confused "What do you mean link yourself?"

"Well I can hold conversations with others without being anywhere near them as well as block them out of I choose I don't want to listen to them for example". Draco searched for the light he knew belonged to her and started to slowly chip away at its incredibly strong barrier once he felt the familiar tingling sensation he kissed Hermione softly *"kiss me my love"* he cooed. Hermione gasped she could hear him loud and clear, his voice bouncing off the walls of her mind yet his lips hadn't moved from her lips. "Draco since when?" She heard herself reply. "I've always been able to do it I just didn't really think much of it until I told my godfather about it and he began to help me master it". Hermione kissed him again softly this time taking her time to feel the soft caresses of his lips dance across each and every nerve ending sending pleasure signals to every inch of her body. *"and can you link yourself to anyone?"* Draco groaned deepening the kiss further pulling her closer to him. Her hands wrapped around his neck snaking their way into his hair and tugging softly. Draco groaned again leaving her lips only to place hot scorching kisses against her jawline and her neck "gods Hermione" he moaned.

Hermione could feel the want boiling in her blood, the need to have him touch her screaming loudly in her head reluctantly she pulled away from his intoxicating kiss once she remembered that there were other things to be discussed at hand. "well?" she adjusted her robes then rested her head in the nook of his chest and arm. *"I'm not sure I've never really tried linking myself to anyone other then Snape and Pans"* Hermione stiffened *"Pansy Parkinson?"* she sneered. Draco nodded "I just wanted to see if I could do it with someone other then Snape" he said out loud. Hermione wasn't exactly the jealous type but there was something about linking with Pansy that she didn't fancy to much.

Draco watched as various emotions played in her features jealousy, curiosity, jealousy again, then understanding. "I think this is amazing, mind of if I research it a bit?" Darco chuckled "would you be Hermione if you didn't?" Hermione smiled warmly then placed another kiss on his lips.

"We should probably get to class" Draco groaned eyes beginning to feel heavy with sleep.

Hermione sighed the bed sheets were charmed to always be exactly the right temperature and currently they were begging her to stay in their heavenly confines. "missing one class won't hurt" Draco laughed "you can speak out loud you know" Hermione smiled coyly "But then I couldn't tell you how much I enjoyed your kisses just now and how much I'd love to spend the rest of the evening here with you and those lips of yours".

Draco felt his stomach turn to knots, and his heart flutter at the thought of an evening would her would definitely worth skipping one class. "No I'm positive one class wouldn't hurt" Draco flipped over supporting his weight above Hermione his lips on hers. Hermione grinned then licked his lips ever so slowly with the tip of her tongue, making him groan in pleasure. Draco crushed his lips on hers allowing his hands to touch and caress her body. If it was possible to memorize every inch of her incredibly smooth skin solely by touch he wanted to do it, he wanted every part of her near him, on him, he wanted everyone to know that she was his and the only person that could ever feel her silky smooth skin against theirs was him. Draco wrapped her legs around his waist feeling his way up her long luscious legs. His very obvious arousal pushing between her legs.

Hermione whimpered as she felt his need for her grow. She didn't know it was humanly possible to need someone so badly, but whatever it was at this very moment it was making her feel power, want, need, love and all sorts of emotions all rolled up into one giant ball that fed off his every kiss, every whisper, every touch, if he didn't stop he was going to drive her insane! Had he no idea what he was doing to her? Hermione squirmed out from under him taking control and placing herself on top of him tearing off his shirt and tossing into a place she wished was never discovered. Hermione kissed, nibbled, and sucked his now bare shoulders, chest and neck taking in his honey and citrus scent. "Mine" she growled kissing her way up his neck while her finger tips inched down his chest and to his belt buckle. Draco nodded "Yes all yours, only yours"

*"Draco!"* Draco froze causing Hermione to stop her battle with his damned belt buckle.

*"What!"* he hissed, Hermione eyed him curiously now aware that a conversation was going on in his head smirking knowingly she continued kissing his chest and finally managed to undo his belt buckle.

*"Your father demands you and Ms. Granger floo to the manor this instant."* Snape's irritated voice *"and if you could refrain from thinking those thoughts at this very second it would be greatly appreciated"*.

*"Why Hermione and why now?"* Draco whined, Hermione was now licking and kissing the area right below his belly button.

*"yes now and I don't know why Ms. Granger"*

*"uggghhh!!! you're pure evil Severus"*

*"I know"* Snape chuckled

Draco felt the connection between him and Snape close as Hermione smiled wickedly up at him and then crawl up to lay beside him.

"Snape just informed me that we are to floo to the manor this instant" Draco frowned mentally preparing him for what was about to occur, Draco hugged her tighter against his chest "I suppose we must go".

Hermione didn't know which was worse the fact that despite her current predicament all she wanted was to do was tear those evil pants and boxers off of him and have her way with him or the fact that she was going to have to the death eater himself. Sure the war was over and sure Voldermort was long gone but that didn't make Lucius Malfoy any less of a threat. Hermione mustered up her Gryffindor courage and jumped off the bed adjusting her robes then turning to the nearest mirror and fixing her hair then extending a hand out to Draco "Well then, lets do this" she said smiling down at him.

Draco grinned taking her hand and following suit by re-buttoning his jeans and grabbing a new t-shirt due to the sudden disappearance of the previous one he was wearing.

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Hermione held on to Draco's hand for dear life as he led her through the halls of Malfoy Manor, it surprised her that instead of being cold and dark as she had once imagine it, it was actually warm, and inviting. Hermione breathed in taking in the smells of the Malfoy manor, cinnamon, roses, and something very pleasant she couldn't quiet identify filled her senses.

"Draco dear" a cheerful, warm, soothing voice greeted happily as they entered what seemed to be the 100th room. Hermione looked around to find a very beautiful Mrs. Malfoy lounging on a luxurious couch beside what looked like a two story window, a rather large book closed neatly on her lap.

"Mum, how are you?" Draco said as he walked over to give his her a hug.

"Excellent, just thought I'd do some light afternoon reading"

Draco chuckled "Bookworm" he teased.

"And you must be the source of my Draco's happiness" she said as she extended a hand out to Hermione "Hermione Granger 7th year Gryffindor correct?"

Hermione nodded and smiled warmly taking Mrs. Malfoy's hand "Yes ma'am".

"Pleasure to meet you dear, would you care to take a seat?" Mrs. Malfoy stated patting the spot beside her.

Hermione glanced nervously at Draco then back that Mrs. Malfoy "Actually mum, father sent for us, you know how he is about being on time".

Mrs. Malfoy gave him a concerned look "Very well you know where to find him. Ms. Granger it was a pleasure meeting you and I want you to know that whatever makes my son happy, makes me happy" she said giving Hermione a warm, reassuring smile.

"Thank you Mrs. Malfoy" she returned the smile and took Draco's hand.

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"Come in"

Draco walked into his father's study first, shielding Hermione from any potential danger. Hermione tensed at the sound of Lucius Malfoy's voice, something that despite her undying courage never failed to send a chill up her spine, she took a deep breath, lifted her chin and followed Draco into his father's study.

"Good evening" Draco greeted

"Good evening Draco" Lucius placed his glass of whiskey onto the table beside him then took a long look at the pair.

Hermione watched their exchanged, noticing the very obvious difference in the manner in which he greeted his mother and father.

"Well I'm sure you didn't call us just to stand here, the sooner we get this over with the sooner I can get on with my previous activities" Draco gave a small squeeze to Hermione's hand and a smirk to his father.

"Always the impatient one" Lucius drawled "My sources have informed me that you and this mudblood have become very..." dramatic pause "friendly. Are my sources correct?"

Draco pulled Hermione a further behind him, his other hand ready to grab his wand in seconds notice. "Friendly barely brushes the surface" Draco said a smirk on his face.

Hermione couldn't help but worry, the thought of Lucius hurting her or Draco was making her anxious and very nervous. She placed her hand near her wand, ready to strike in moments notice.

"What a shame and here I thought you would amount to something" Lucius sneered "Instead of choosing a perfectly fine specimen, for example Ms. Parkinson, you choose this filth".

Draco tensed, eyes burning "You're wrong" Draco hissed.

Hermione's anger began to rise, she couldn't believe that despite the outcome of the war, the one person she thought that would've been able to see past racial minds was standing before her referring to her, Hermione Granger, war veteran, smartest student at Hogwarts, possibly the smartest muggleborn to set foot in Hogwarts, possibly more powerful then anything he could ever dream of was referring to her as filth! Oh and HE INSULTED DRACO! No, not a smart move at all. Hermione counted to ten in an attempted to cool her anger, which did nothing but give her ten more reasons to blast that scum bag into another realm completely.

Draco felt the magic pulsing quietly behind him, the warm wall slowly growling angrily and growing to include him in its protective circle and stopping once it was solidly between Draco and Lucius.

"Calm down love" Draco cooed quietly so only Hermione could hear "everything will be alright".

Hermione glared at Lucius, eyes glowing amber "No, I refuse to let him hurt you" she hissed.

Lucius stared wide eyed at the events unfolding before him, to say he was shocked and amazed that a muggleborn of all people could hold such power was a complete understatement. *"She could out power the Dark Lord, that old goat Dumbledore, Severus and myself at all once like it was nothing at all,the irony! And Draco he can read minds, can you imagine the magical possibilities their offspring would possess!? hmmmm what if they did remain together, what if they're first born just so happened to disappear..."* Lucius grinned evilly.

"Be gone with you both, if you choose to dip your wand in mud then so be it, but don't expect any sympathy from me" Lucius waved his hand dismissively, reached for his glass and took another sip of whiskey, his plans for the future unfolding quietly in the confines of his mind.


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Thanks for Reading!!