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It had been five months since Draco had moved Hermione into his flat and he couldn’t recall ever being happier or more content. He felt so alive and genuine around her; like he could tell her anything and she wouldn’t judge him. They spent a large amount of their time at home actually talking to each other about things other than what color the drapes should be and who to invite over to dinner. If he’d known that dating outside of the cold circle of wealthy wizards and witches would be this wonderful, he would have started ages ago. Of course, then he wouldn’t have his Hermione. Draco had envisioned his life with a mate ensuing much the way the rest of his life had gone. Polite, clipped sentences, chaste hugs and occasional romps in the bedroom immediately followed by a shower and then staying as far away as possible from each other. With Hermione, they argued, debated and philosophized with each other. They went to the opera not just to be seen, but to talk about plot and movement and arrangements. They sometimes would spend a whole morning in bed just talking to each other. He learned her hopes, her fears, her life’s goals and more.

One thing that he could never tell her, however, was how important she was to him. When their affair ended, she would have friends and her family to go back to, while he would have no one. He couldn’t talk to her about it. He’d been raised by one of the darkest wizarding families in Europe, so he learned early on not to show his weaknesses to anyone. He knew she would never gloat and lord her power over him in a negative way, but she might be disgusted at his weak dependency or worse, pity him. He couldn’t deal with that so he never let on about his feelings and he never asked about hers because he just didn’t want to know.

He was fairly certain that she was more than fond of him and he knew without a doubt that she enjoyed his company. Some weekends, when they had no social engagements, she chose to just stay at home with him and either read or they would watch muggle movies on the telly she insisted he buy. Her friends had apologized to her and so he sometimes had to deal with them, but other than her parents, he had no rivals for her affections. When Ron had found out about the two of them he had angrily stormed over and demanded to know what she thought she was doing. Hermione simply asked him if he’d broken it off with Lavender and when he said no, she merely suggested that he leave because he obviously wasn’t feeling well. Surely he did think that he had any right to come and make accusations when they were not, nor had they ever been a couple. When Ron had left, Hermione had merely been annoyed, not upset or sad. Draco had been so rough with her that night that he left bite marks all over her body after he practically broke their bed pounding her into it. Fortunately, she was always up for a little bit of rough play and the next day she didn’t object when he forbid her to cover the marks on her neck and breasts with concealer or a glamour charm. Oliver Wood, the David Beckham of the quidditch world, was still trying to elbow his way into her life and every so often Draco made sure to leave undisputable evidence that they had just shagged and it had been bloody brilliant.

Stretching lightly, Draco could smell the most wonderful aroma coming from their kitchen. Even though he still used house elves, Hermione insisted that he pay them and she also insisted on cooking their meals. She was a wonderful cook and Draco loved eating something she spent so much time and care on. She was currently making Christmas cookies to take to her parents’ house. They would be spending Christmas day with them and Boxing Day with his mother. However, Chris Granger was being let out of his rehab clinic for the weekend, so the Grangers were having a small, early celebration.

He had obliviated the Grangers so that they had no idea about his involvement with their financial problems. Rather, they believed that their original sum had been enough and that Chris had checked himself into rehab. The only members of the Granger family who knew the whole story were Chris and Hermione and then, even Chris didn’t know about Hermione’s true involvement. As far as he knew his sister’s rich, wizard boyfriend had paid off his debts out of love for his sister and the kindness of his heart. Draco wasn’t sure he wanted to meet her brother. He couldn’t imagine having the love and loyalty of a family like the Grangers growing up and then spurning it for gambling and drugs. He’d almost destroyed his family with his selfishness and hurt Hermione horribly in the process.

Draco was lifted out of his thoughts by a small gingerbread man being lowered in front of his eyes. Reaching out for the cookie he used his other arm to pull Hermione onto his lap and she giggled as he breathed in the scent of her hair. “How is it that even after you’ve spent the entire morning baking; up to your elbows in sugar, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg that you still smell like lavender?”

“It’s my shampoo. It has actual lavender extract in it. How do you like the cookie?”

“It’s wonderful. Did you make any for your parents?” he teased. She giggled again before getting up.

“Are you about ready? I told them we’d be there at one.” She moved off of his lap and followed her to their bedroom and watched her brush out her hair. Getting ready always reminded him of Hogwarts and he smirked at her causing her to blush. “What are you looking so satisfied for?”

“Did you ever think, back when you punched me in third year, that you’d be sitting in our shared bedroom, brushing your hair and getting ready to take Christmas cookies to your parents?”

“No, but I did think that I might tie you up and smack you around for a bit, but under an entirely different connotation.” She gave him a wicked look and he knew that the visit at her parents’ house wouldn’t end fast enough.

As they stood outside, Draco put his hand on the small of Hermione’s back. Although he knew that what they had was strictly business, it was still important to him that her family like him. What if they saw him for what he truly was; an underhanded, unscrupulous louse who cheated, tricked and wormed his way into their daughter’s knickers, defiling their pristine princess? He could deal with his own family’s rejection, since he nor anyone else for that matter had ever had their acceptance, but he couldn’t deal with this family’s rejection. He knew that constantly touching their daughter was not the way to win brownie points, but he couldn’t help it. When he got nervous, touching her calmed him down. It reassured him of her presence and the warmth from her skin was soothing.

Suddenly the door opened and a tiny grey-haired lady snatched Hermione away from him, knocking a batch of her cookies out of her hands. He watched as the little woman picked Hermione up in a bear hug that made Hagrid look limp wrested.

“Oh, ‘Mione flower! It’s so good to you, my lovely! Look at how beautiful you’ve gotten! More like your mother everyday, you are!”

“It’s good to see you too, Gram,” Hermione said when she could breathe again. “I want you to meet somebody. Gram, this is my boyfriend, Draco Malfoy.”

Draco found himself almost knocked off his feet when the woman attacked him, eventually lifting him up off the ground. “Of course he is! It’s so nice to meet you! You’re such a lovely couple! Isn’t my Mione flower beautiful?” Draco was overwhelmed by the tiny woman’s passionate outbursts.

“She’s absolutely gorgeous, Mrs…?”

“Mrs. Granger, dear, but just call me Gram. We’re practically family. Here, let me take those.” She took the white boxes that held the cookies and ushered them into the living room. Draco saw Mr. Granger and an old man with white curly hair that he assumed must be Hermione’s grandfather and Mr. Granger watching football on the TV. It was Manchester vs. Liverpool and Draco didn’t know much about the sport, but from what he did know, he was betting that Manchester would win. As he stepped into the living room, he was greeted warmly and passed a beer as he sat down to pretend to watch the game.

Hermione was whisked into the kitchen and eventually Jane Granger emerged letting out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness the two of you got here! Marcus, your mother is still unconvinced that I don’t need to know how to bake potatoes au gratin from scratch in order to survive.”

“Yes, well, Hermione’s here now so at least we know that the goose won’t get burned.” Marcus Granger’s eyes never left the television screen as he spoke absentmindedly to his wife. As the two argued about Jane’s cooking skills, or lack there of, a very handsome man descended the stairs and walked into the living room.

“Do I hear a squirrel in the kitchen? Mum, you really should be more careful about leaving the window open.” At the sound of her brother’s voice and the use of his old pet name for her the kitchen door flew open and Hermione launched herself into the handsome man’s arms, causing Draco’s jaw to twitch.

“Chris! Oh, you look wonderful!” Hermione hadn’t seen her brother in almost a year and the last time she had seen him he had been far too thin and had the unhealthy, stretched look that most users got. Now however, he had his movie star handsome good looks back and Draco could tell from his personality how people had a hard time denying him anything. He had a wicked sense of humor, a quick smile and such a sincere voice. It was the kind of voice that should be a newscaster’s voice because it was hypnotic in its ability to weave a trusting spell over the listener. As Draco listened to Chris Granger interact with his family, he realized that Hermione wasn’t the only magical person in her family. Chris Granger’s power, while dull and not nearly powerful enough to get him into Hogwarts, it was still there and Draco didn’t think that even Chris himself was aware of it. Chris Granger had the ability to persuade people with his voice. The reason Hermione was immune to it was because she was much stronger magically. Chris Granger probably never went home from a pub alone and never got into serious trouble before this point because of that hypnotic power.

Another very handsome young man was visiting as well. It was Chris’ best mate since the age of four, Alex Downing. Draco detested Alex Downing from the start because of the easy way in which he touched Hermione. Yes, this boy had known her since she was born, but he had no right to keep his hand on her waist for that long. Even more troublesome was the fact that he was a lawyer and had helped Chris with his court cases, a fact which Marcus and Jane Granger remembered with clarity, while Draco’s good deed went forgotten. This boy, unlike Chris, did not mean well. No, he wasn’t a complete louse, but Draco could smell his own. Given the proper circumstances, this boy would have blackmailed his best friend’s little sister into sleeping with him in a heartbeat. Draco told himself he was different because he actually cared for her, while this Alex person would see her as a conquest, an accessory.

Draco went into the kitchen to visit with Hermione while the other men stayed in the living room. Draco once again had the need to touch her. Bending to what he thought was sneaking a kiss, he heard a pleasant chuckle from her grandmother. “I’m sorry, it’s just that my Paul and I were the same way when we first got together. Do you live close to Hermione, Draco?”

‘Actually, Gram, Draco and I live together in our own flat.” Why did she have to announce that! This terrifying old woman had liked him before and now she would physically lift him over her shoulder and throw him out the door.

The elderly lady gave Hermione a bland, unpleased look. “And when are you getting married?” she asked in a deceptively calm voice.

“I think it’s a bit early for that, Gram,” Hermione blushed and looked at the floor and her grandmother turned her accusatory gaze onto Draco. “If it’s far enough into the relationship to move in together, it’s far enough into it to start buying a ring! Do you understand me?” Draco mutely nodded before sitting down at the kitchen table. Hermione was red faced and asked him if he might like to go talk with her brother a moment. He gladly left the kitchen.

Draco was introduced to Chris and Alex and as the family ate the dinner that Hermione and her grandmother had prepared, he noticed that Chris kept nervously looking at him. It wasn’t until later when Draco had stepped onto the front steps to get some air that Chris approached him.

“Hey.”

“Hello,” Draco responded. There were a few awkward moments before he went on. “You don’t have to say anything. I know that you’re greatful and I know that you didn’t mean for this shit to happen. However, if it happens again, I won’t bail you out no matter what your sister says. You hurt her and your parents terribly and forced me to perform a spell on them that is practically illegal in our world. I hope for your sake that you’re sticking with this rehab thing because you really need to grow up.”

“I know I do. Believe me, this was one of the most humbling experiences of my life, but it was also a turning point. I’ve always been good at getting what I want, I’ve just always wanted the wrong things. I know that you care deeply for my sister and that that’s why you did what you did. Thank you and thank you for taking such good care of her. She’s truly happy with you and you’ve done so much for her. Thank you.” If Chris knew what Draco had done to his sister, he doubted very seriously that he would be thanking him. Then again, his best friend wanted to do the same things to her, so maybe Chris was used to people wanting to shag his sister.

Chris stepped back into the house and Alex stepped out. Draco felt instant dislike running through him as the older boy gave him his own smirk as he appraised him.

“So, you get to shag little Hermione senseless every night in your shared flat. Well done, you. So how did you do it? Were you her first and so she fancies herself in love with you or is it because of your bad boy persona that a good girl like her just can’t resist?” Draco must have looked at him quizzically because he echoed Draco’s thoughts from earlier. “We can smell our own. You’ve been around the block more than just a few times and so you thought you’d try to have it off with the studious, bookworm girl, except that she ended up being everything you ever wanted and more. You don’t honestly think you’re the first person that this has happened to, do you? Well, enjoy it while it lasts mate, because eventually, she’ll get bored of you or figure out that you aren’t nearly as much of a tortured soul as she thought and she’ll drop you for some shining hero, good guy. I’ve been there, I know. Let’s face it, unless you get her up the duff, she’s going to leave. The only way that a girl like that would ever stay with a boy like you is if she had some very big, moral reason and from the look of you, I doubt there’s much to stay for if she ever did find a quality bloke.”

“I think I can keep her satisfied quite well on my own, thanks. I don’t know what you’re insinuating, but you’re wrong.” Draco was furious at the way this man could see right through him and pick out all his worst fears. He was even more angry at the flippant way in which he spoke of his relationship.

“Keep telling yourself that, ducky. Maybe it’ll make it easier when you watch her walk off with golden boy. Maybe she’ll even walk off with the boy next door, her brother’s best friend that gets along great with her family. That would be a nice romantic story to tell the kids, now wouldn’t it?” With his last statement, Alex walked back into the house.

Draco waited until he could compose himself before going back inside. Alex’s words taunted him and even worse, here was someone older, more experienced at playing this game than he was. He was certain that all it would take was a few strategically placed sentences for Hermione to leave him and go for Alex. However, something Alex said, stuck out to him. If he got her up the duff, she wouldn’t leave him. Alex had said it to put him off, but it made Draco start to think. What if he did get her pregnant? He’d already taken his chances with no contraceptive spell, but what if she actually did become pregnant? Her grandmother was already pushing for them to get married and Hermione was moral to the core. She would stay with her baby’s father and if her family pushed her towards marriage, she would comply. The only question, was how to do it?


A/N- Okay, I'm going to let you guys vote. Should Draco continue to let fate bring him what he wants or should he actively try to get Hermione pregnant? I'm leaning towards the latter, but I'll let you guys decide. Thank you again for all the lovely reviews! You are all wonderful, awesome kind people!