All Characters belong to JKR and Warner Brothers

Summary: The fourth and final story in the "Week in the Life" Series. Each chapter covers one day, of one month, of one year, while Draco and Hermione's daughters is at Hogwarts. The ups and downs in each chapter continues with the celebration of their life together, and each year will not only test the strength of their marriage, but also their love.

A Fourth and Final Week in the Life

By

AnneM.

Chapter 1, Day One, Sept 1, Monday, Year One

Packing Up Memories:

Packing up all of her daughter's belongings, Hermione felt wistful. She was going to miss her daughter more than words could say, yet still, she felt her daughter's excitement. She remembered how happy she was the day her mother helped her pack her own trunk for Hogwarts. Hermione held up a little stuffed rabbit, Peter Rabbit, the only thing that remained from Olivia's Beatrix Potter themed nursery. Long gone were the murals that graced the green walls of a child's nursery, replaced by the bright blue walls of a young girl's bedroom. Hermione could scarcely believe that her own little daughter was old enough to go to Hogwarts.

It was just yesterday that her daughter was born, and now, time would spin so fast. Hermione knew that in a heartbeat her daughter would be grown and away from her mother's arms. Her daughter was fiercely independent. This was the little girl who fell off a broom at age five, and who instead of crying, told her daddy that she wanted to try again, even though she fractured her wrist.

This was the little girl who learned to read at age four and who from that time on insisted on reading to her mummy and daddy at bedtime, instead of the other way around.

And this was the little girl who just announced the other day, to her father, that when she grew up she was going to marry her godfather's son, James, much to her daddy's chagrin.

She said she would not miss her parents at all, and already announced the fact that she would be too busy to write. Well, her parents would miss her, more than they could say.

Olivia Alexis Malfoy, apple of her father's eye, her mother's perfect daughter, with her bright blue eyes and curly brown hair, was going to Hogwarts, and Hogwarts had better be prepared. She was a beautiful girl, everyone thought so, but Olivia, or Livy, as she was known, was a tomboy, who would rather catch bugs and fly on brooms than have tea parties or play with dolls, and who had a terrible temper, but had a compassion for others with would rival the greatest empathic. She inherited her wicked sense of humour from her father, and her sense of adventure from her mother. She loved to read, and play the piano, and play practical jokes that made George Weasley once call her a 'kindred spirit'.

Hermione looked at a picture that Olivia had already packed in her suitcase. It was of her and her best friend, James Potter. James was six months younger than she was, and though Draco tried to tell her that the 'man' should be older than the woman, she was smart enough to point out to him that he was nine months younger than her mum was. Smart girl. In fact, Olivia was so smart that last year, when she turned eleven, (last August 19th) and she really should have gone off to Hogwarts, she decided that she wanted to wait a year, so she and James could go together. She was afraid if she went off to school without him, he might forget about her. Draco hoped that he would. Hermione assured her that he would not, but in the end, secretly glad that her daughter would have a built in friend, Hermione agreed, and Draco was talked into agreeing as well. Hermione remembered how scared and alone she was her first few months at school, and she didn't want that for her little girl. She was also thankful for one more year with her daughter.

In addition, Hermione figured it would be good that Olivia was a bit more mature, a little older, than the other students. Hermione was always one of the older ones, and she felt that it would give Olivia an advantage.

Yelling at Draco:

Hermione got up from the bed, where she had been reminiscing, to place the photograph back in her daughter's trunk, when she saw 'it'. Olivia was extremely organized, something she got from her father, and so Hermione had no trouble seeing the offending object as it laid on top of her daughter's folded jumpers. Hermione picked the book in question up, and walked to the top of the stairs.

She called down to her husband, "Draco, could you come up here for a moment?" She knew he would be in the living room, reading his paper for the second time. He always read his paper twice, once in bed, and the second time in the living room, before breakfast. Hermione waited a few moments, she knew he heard her yell, and then she yelled a second time, "Draco Malfoy, come upstairs immediately!"

He appeared at the bottom of the stairs, holding up his paper, "Granger, I must insist you stop yelling at me like a banshee. You've been a Malfoy for thirteen years now. It's time you act like one."

"If I'm such a Malfoy, why do you insist on calling me Granger?" Hermione asked.

"What the hell should I call you?" he asked. He started back in the living room.

"Draco, please, come up here!" Hermione seethed.

He stayed at the bottom of the stairs and held up his paper, which had a large hole in the middle where an article had been removed from the fourth page. "How many times must I insist that you not cut my paper to shreds until I've read it? For years, I have begged, nay, pleaded, with you. I have gotten you your own subscription, but still, you cut my paper to ribbons!"

"I didn't do that, I swear," Hermione said. "Perhaps your daughter did it. Did that occur to you? Speaking of your daughter, please come up stairs for a moment."

"I'd really rather not," he said. "Every time you call her 'my daughter' she's done something naughty." He started back to the lounge for the third time. He turned back up to look at her and said, "And I can't believe you would blame your own daughter for butchering my paper when you know that I know that you did it. You're such a terrible liar. I know a liar when I see one, and you're lying!"

Hermione smiled and said, "Well, there was an interesting story on a new species of Dragon found in northern Hungary, and I can't find my copy of the paper. There, that's the truth, now may I discuss something of importance with you?"

He looked back up at her as she stood on the stairs, then he leaned near the door of the living room, and he said, "I don't think so."

Hermione yelled, "DRACO MALFOY, WILL YOU PLEASE COME UP THESE STAIRS?"

"That depends," he said from the bottom step. "Are you angry with me, or her? I can't tell from your tone, and I'm not in the mood to fend off your anger if it's addressed toward me." He started up the stairs and said, "So, what say you, Granger, is the villain in this story me or Olivia?"

"I'd rather say both," she admitted.

He came up the stairs, with his paper tucked under his arm. He leaned toward her and said, "May I have a morning kiss first?"

She glared at him.

"Is that a no?"

Her eyes narrowed. She said, "I will not only kiss you, but as soon as Olivia is safely on the train to Hogwarts, I will show you how much I still love you, in a very special way, but right now, we have bigger fish to fry, so follow me to your daughter's room." Hermione started down the hallway, with Draco right behind. He reached out and pinched her bum. She turned around and smacked him.

"If I'm getting some sex later, I need a warm up," he said. She took his hand and they walked in Livy's room. She let go of his hand, and reached into Olivia's trunk. She picked up a big black book and threw it at him. It hit his shoulder and he yelped in pain. "Ouch, damn you, Granger, why did you do that?" He bent down and picked up the book. "I'm appalled you would throw this at me. I know you don't respect me, but this is a book! I thought you revered books more than life itself."

Hermione decided to ignore him, even though she had to smile, because he was partially right. She did respect books more than she did him. She stood in front of him, hands on hips and said, "Didn't I tell you not to buy this book for Olivia the other day when we were buying her schoolbooks?"

About a Book:

Draco looked at the book and said, "Hmm, you might have. I don't recall. You say so much, and in all honesty, I only hear maybe 50 percent of everything you say."

"Draco," she warned with an even voice.

"Fine, I recall you telling me not to buy her this book," he admitted.

"Then why did you?" she asked.

"Well, she looked so sweetly at me, and honestly, I told her to hide it in her trunk where you couldn't find it, so it's her fault. Why were you snooping? I'm shocked at you." He put the book back on top of her clothing in her trunk. Hermione picked it back up. Draco said, "She probably didn't have time to hide it yet, because you've been up here in her room all morning."

Draco looked around and added, "Seriously, there are books everywhere. Our daughter has enough books to open her own library. I don't even know how you singled out this one little book."

Hermione sat on the bed. She knew it was a losing battle. Her daughter was spoiled, that much was true. Being an only child, it was bound to have happened. In addition, she had her father wrapped around her little finger since the day she was born. She was lucky, however, since her daughter never threw fits, and was always compassionate toward others. If she even once acted the way Draco had as a child, Hermione would have intervened a long time before.

Draco sat beside her and said, "What's bothering you, really, my little wifey poo? Are you sad that your only child no longer needs you?"

Hermione gave him another scathing look, pointed toward the book in question, and said, "What in the world is that?"

"It's called a book. Say it with me, a book. Spelled B-O-O-K." He looked at his nails smugly.

Hermione said, "Okay, smart aleck, why is that particular book in your daughter's room?"

"Because she's a little bookworm like her mummy, whom I love very much." He leaned over and kissed his wife's cheek.

"Wrong answer," Hermione said, pushing him off the bed.

"Granger, what do you want me to say?" he asked. He stood up. "Our daughter wanted me to buy her that book, even though you told her she couldn't have it, so I did. End of story. You bought her a lot of stuff the other day, if I recall." He put the book back in Livy's trunk.

Hermione stood up and walked around the room and said, "Yes, I bought her schoolbooks, school robes, quills and parchment. Things she would need, not particularly want. I told her she couldn't have this, and then I remember that I turned to you, pointed, sneered, and said, and I quote, 'Draco Malfoy don't you dare, under any circumstances, buy her this book, no matter how much she begs.' Don't you recall that?"

"I really don't," he lied.

"Dammit, Draco, this book is not appropriate for a twelve year old girl!"

Draco picked the book back up and said, "Why, does it have dirty pictures in it?"

"No, idiot," she said, taking it from him again. "It's on the dark arts! If she's caught reading this in school, I shudder to think what might happen!"

Draco smiled and said, "I know what will happen. She might learn a thing or two and everyone might be afraid of her, and seriously, Hermione, is that such a bad thing? Everyone was afraid of me growing up, because of my family and their connections with the dark arts, as well as because I was incredibly intimidating, good looking, and smart. I wouldn't change a thing. Don't worry, she's inherited a few things from you that might intimidate people as well, such as her scary hair and that scowl you have on your face right now. She mimics that look all the time."

Hermione sighed and said, "She's not taking this book to school and you shouldn't have bought it for her, end of discussion. You need to learn to say no to her, because she manipulates you far too much."

Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and others:

Draco laughed and said, "Bloody hell, you manipulate me far more than she does and you know it's true. Anyway, it's good for a future Slytherin to know a bit about the dark arts. You knew a fair bit about them as well, if I recall."

"That's because we fought against them, Ron, Harry and I," Hermione argued, "And furthermore, how do you know she'll be in Slytherin?"

Draco frowned and said, "Where else will she be? All Malfoy's are in Slytherin."

"Your mother's sister, Andromeda Tonks, and your mother's cousin, Sirius Black were in Hufflepuff and Gryffindor," Hermione pointed out. "So, she has a good chance to be in one of those as well."

Draco rushed her, knocked her to the bed and put his hand on her mouth. She was shocked but laughed under his hand. "Bite your tongue, Granger! If our daughter's in Hufflepuff, I'll kill myself."

He removed his hand and she said, "And I shall miss you."

He winked at her and said, "Now that we're in this position, how about my good morning kiss? Instead of you biting your own tongue, I shall bite it for you."

He leaned down and placed his lips softly on hers. She pushed him off her and they lay side by side on their daughter's bed. She traced her hand down his face and said, "I'm serious, Malfoy. What if she is in Hufflepuff? I don't want our daughter in that house."

He laughed again and said, "You are such a hypocrite! All those years of saying that there's nothing wrong with Hufflepuff. Anyway, there's no way in hell she'll be there. Maybe Ravenclaw, if not Slytherin, but never Hufflepuff or Gryffindor."

Hermione kicked him off the bed again. He landed with a thump on his back. She moved so she was flat on her belly on the bed, looked down at him, and she said, "She would be a great Gryffindor, Stupidhead."

"Stupidhead? Did my incredibly smart wife, the former Gryffindor, just call me Stupidhead?" he asked. He sat up with his back against the wall. Hermione climbed off the bed and sat next to him.

"Seriously, what if she's in Hufflepuff?" Hermione asked.

"You're worrying about the wrong thing, but if she is, we shall disown her, that's all," he said. "And about Andromeda and Sirius, they were both 'Blacks', not Malfoy's, so you shouldn't worry, for she'll be in Slytherin. I feel it in my bones. You just don't want her to be in Slytherin, do you?"

Hermione took her husband's hand and traced his fingers with hers. She said, "No, I don't. She's a halfblood and they might be mean to her there, and she might have a difficult time."

Draco removed his hand from his wife's hand and touched her cheek. "Sweetheart, seriously, she would be fine no matter where they put her, but if you would rather, I will make a sizable bribe to the school and we can make sure she's in Ravenclaw."

Hermione giggled and put her head on Draco's shoulder. "What are you going to do, bribe the sorting hat? Maybe you could offer it a new brim. Maybe delouse it?" She thought she was hilarious and started to laugh.

Draco stood up and reached down to help her up. "Thirteen years of marriage and still none of my humour has ever rubbed off on you. If anything, you are more ascetic than you were before."

Owls and Mirrors:

Hermione smacked his hand away, stood by herself, and said, "Oh, poo."

He pushed her against the wall, captured her hands in his and put them above her head. He placed his mouth near her ear and said, "I love it when you talk dirty to me, Granger. Say something else."

Harry Potter stood in the doorway and said, "How about Draco Malfoy is a big pain in the arse."

Draco sighed and put his face in the crook of his wife's neck. He said, "Please tell me that voice is an apparition and that Potter is not actually at the door to this room."

Hermione pushed Draco away from her and walked over to Harry. She hugged him and said, "Hello, Harry. I thought we were meeting at your house for breakfast before we took the kids to the train."

"Sorry, slight change. Ginny sends her apologies, but Lily and Albus both have the flu, so I went ahead and brought James here. I brought breakfast as well. The kids are already eating," he said. "What are you two doing up here?"

"Talking about books about the dark arts and also discussing houses of Hogwarts," Hermione said.

Harry smiled and said, "You're worried Olivia might be in Slytherin, aren't you?"

Draco said, "No! She's worried Livy might fall and hit her head and get a big lightning bolt scar on her forehead and then she'll grow up to be a freak, because apparently that happens to all lightning bolt scarheads." He stormed out of the room.

Hermione picked up the book on the dark arts and showed it to Harry. He said, "You should let her take it. We wouldn't have survived to adulthood without all the dark art books that you read." Hermione shrugged and placed it back in the trunk.

Draco stuck his head back in the door and said, "I argued with you for a good twenty minutes about that blasted book! Potter tells you to let her take it, and you pack it back up? What does that mean, Granger?"

"It means first that you were eavesdropping, and it means second that I love Harry more than I love you," she said. She and Harry walked hand in hand down the stairs, and Draco came down as well, broke through their clasped hands, and went toward the dining room.

Olivia and James were already at the table, chatting animatedly about the train ride, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and everything else. James Potter looked just like his father, Harry, only he didn't have glasses, and of course, minus the scar. The thing was that Draco and James always got along so well, that Hermione was constantly shocked at how they interacted, since Harry and Draco still didn't really like each other to this day. Harry's other son, Albus, was only nine, and he had red hair, like the Weasleys, and he was sweet as the day was long, and very sensitive. Lily was seven, and she had dark brown hair, and was already known for her beauty, and her gentle nature.

James was the perfect match for Olivia. She had a temper and he was even-tempered and sweet natured. Where she was a passionate persuader, he was level headed and agreeable. Their relationship reminded Hermione greatly of hers and Draco's relationship. They were two opposite halves, which together, made a whole.

Ron and Lavender also had two children. They had twin sons, names Hugo and Harry. They were only five. They both had red hair and were already mischief-makers.

Hermione said, "Livy, I finished packing your trunk. After you eat, you run back upstairs, do a second sweep, and make sure you haven't forgotten anything. I found your little book as well, but you may take it,"

Draco looked at his daughter as her face turned red with embarrassment, since she was caught with a book she wasn't suppose to have. "Yes, Livy, I got in trouble for that book. You should have hidden it better, like I told you to."

Hermione said, "Don't you dare try to blame your daughter for this, Draco Malfoy." Hermione added to Olivia, "Don't forget to change the paper in your owl's cage before you leave."

James said, "When did you get an owl?"

"Dad got it for me. Her name is Sage. She's beautiful. He got you one as well," Olivia said.

"Dammit, Olivia, it was supposed to be a surprise," Draco said.

"Draco, don't curse at the table and in front of guests." Hermione frowned at him.

"Hell, James has heard me say worse things than that, haven't you, James?" Draco said. He looked at Olivia and said, "Since you spoiled the surprise, go get the damn bird and show it to him." Olivia ran from the table and came back with a white large owl, which closely resembled Harry's old owl.

Harry felt choked for a moment, and said, "Thanks, Malfoy."

"I didn't do it for you, Potter. I did it for my wife's godson. Also, I knew you probably would forget to get them anything," Draco accused.

Harry took a big bite of eggs and said, "For your information, I got them something better. Remember my dad's magic mirror, the one he had with Sirius? Well, it took some doing on my part, but I had George work on a prototype and he was able to reproduce the magic. Here." Harry reached in a bag and handed a mirror to Hermione. She looked at it and handed it to Draco.

"So Olivia can look at herself?" Draco asked. He handed the mirror to Olivia.

Hermione said, "No, it's so we can communicate with her through the mirror!" She stood up and went over to hug Harry. "Oh, Harry, thank you so much!" Harry handed her the second mirror.

"Yes, well, James has one too, and George is working on a patent, so soon all magical families will probably have them, since cellular phones don't work on the grounds of the school, this is the next best thing," Harry explained.

Olivia said, "Can James and I talk to each other through the mirrors, too, Uncle Harry?"

"Well, normally they're just two way, but in this case, yes, they were made that way, but don't abuse them, or you might have them confiscated. It's probably best to be discreet," Harry said.

James smiled over at Olivia and she smiled at him. Olivia said, "Come on, James. Let's get my trunk!"

The pair left the table and Hermione said, "I think it's so sweet that they like each other so much."

"James said just this morning that he's going to marry her someday," Harry said.

Draco spit out the pumpkin juice he was swallowing. "Bloody hell, they're too young to talk of such things. I hope you backhanded him."

"Yes, Malfoy, I struck my child because he professed his love for your child, you moron," Harry seethed. He got up from the table and said, "I'll help Olivia with her trunk. We should be leaving, or we'll be late."

The Train to Hogwarts:

Olivia pulled the trolley with her trunk and belongings toward platform nine and three quarters. She looked back and smiled at her parents. Hermione leaned over and said, "She's so confident. Where does she get that? None of this fazes her. I was a bundle of nerves my first day."

"Well, she's grown up around magic, and you didn't, so that makes a difference," Draco said, grasping his wife's hand. They watched as Harry and James ran through the wall, between platforms 9 and 10. Olivia looked back once more and then trotted right through. Draco said, "After you, Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione let go of his hand and went through the platform. She came through to the other side, instantly transported back in time to her days at Hogwarts. Draco came up behind her and put his arms around her middle.

"Brings back memories, doesn't it, Granger?' Draco asked.

"Yes, indeed," she agreed.

They walked up to their daughter, whose trunk was being placed on the train by Harry. Hermione smiled and said, "We promise to only use the mirror in emergencies, but you can use yours any time, if you get lonely, or sad, or afraid, or if you just have good news. Also, if you would rather, you could just write to us."

"I know, Mummy. I'll miss you so much." Olivia hugged her mother's waist, and Hermione leaned down and kissed the top of her head. She wanted to cry, but she would not.

Draco lifted Olivia up, hugged her, and said, "I put a few extra galleons in your trunk, just in case." He placed her feet back on the ground, and stroked her cheek. "We love you and are so proud, Livy."

"I'll write you tonight to let you know what house I'm in," she said. "I know that you're both worried about that." She smiled at her parents and climbed on the train.

"She's so smart," Hermione said as she looked over at Draco.

"She is your daughter, after all," he agreed. James climbed aboard the train right behind Olivia, and when they found an empty compartment, they both leaned out the window and waved. Harry and Draco walked up to the window and said goodbye again. Hermione remained where she was.

The train lurched forward, for they just made it in time, and as the train started to pull away, Olivia screamed out, "I love you, Mum!"

Hermione put her hand in the air and mouthed the words, "I love you, too."

Draco looked back as his wife's tears began to fall. He knew this would be hard on her. Her whole life for the past twelve years had been her daughter. She was bound to feel lost and forlorn. Harry remained at the edge of the platform and watched until the train was out of sight. Draco walked back over to Hermione, and held her tight, as her tears continued to fall.

Harry looked back over at them, motioned to Draco that he was leaving, smiled, and then apparated away. Draco and Hermione remained on the platform until they were the last two there. He finally let her go, and she said, "What do I do now?"

He kissed her cheek and said, "Anything you damn well want." He took her hand and disapparated with her on the spot.

Back at Home, Draco and Hermione alone:

Hermione spent the rest of the day wandering aimlessly throughout the house. Whenever Draco would try to distract her, or draw her into conversation, she would be so distracted that she couldn't even concentrate on anything that he said. Finally, as she sat alone in the bath at night, he walked in the bathroom and heard her crying again.

"We just got an owl from Olivia," he said. She looked up at him expectantly. "Gryffindor, can you bloody well believe it? She's in Gryffindor. I hope I can stand the humiliation." Hermione looked away and continued to cry.

Her cat was on the bathmat and he said, "Granger, is that thing ever going to die?"

She cried harder. He shooed the cat away and sat down in Crookshanks abandoned spot. "It's like thirty years old or something," he said. He placed his hand in the water. It was cold. "How long have you been in here? The water's cold." He took his wand from his pocket and warmed the water instantly. He placed the wand on the sink and sat back on the floor.

"What can I do to help you, Hermione?" he asked.

"Just let me cry," she said.

"She'll be back at the winter break, and maybe we could even surprise her with a visit during Halloween. My parents did that for me my first year," he admitted.

She sniffed and said, "I'd like that." He leaned forward, took the sponge, and started to wash her back. "Draco, I want to open a bookstore."

"Wow, really?" He was surprised. "I thought maybe you would want to write another book or something. A bookstore? That'll take a lot of time and attention." He wanted to add, 'away from me', but he knew that wouldn't go over well with her. She didn't like it when he was selfish, although he felt it was one of his better qualities.

"I've thought about it for a long time, and I think I need something that will take my time and attention. Please, I need this. Actually, I'll probably do it whether you agree or not, but I hope you do agree." She looked toward him for support.

He grinned and said, "I think it's a wonderful idea. I'll even give you your start up capital. You'll owe me big time, then. I like it when you're indebted to me." He rinsed her back and stood up with a towel. She stood up and stepped out of the tub, and let him wrap her tightly in the towel. He held her for several long moments, and rocked her back and forth.

He whispered in her ear, "We have the house all to ourselves for the first time in twelve years, save for a couple of little elves, who are off in their little rooms. What do you say? Should we re-christen every room tonight, just you and I, buck naked, making love in the moonlight?"

"You have a poetic way with words, don't you, Draco?" She smiled. "Let's start in the bedroom, and work our way from there, shall we?"

He smirked and said, "I really love you, Hermione."

Making Love:

He pulled her into the bedroom and threw her towel on the floor. Draco leaned over and captured her lips to his. She moaned slightly under the feel of them. She grabbed at his blonde hair with both hands, as his hands roamed her back. One hand went gently to cup her bottom. Before either knew what was happening, they pulled and tugged his clothes from him, and soon, they were naked on top of their bed. Draco pulled and nibbled at her mouth, and then he lifted his head and smiled at her.

"I finally have you all to myself once again," he said.

"In a sense, yes," she answered. He descended his mouth to kiss her again. He raised his head, his grey eyes beguiling, beckoning to her. She knew the look, she had seen it so many times before, and she never grew tired of it. Hermione pulled his face down again and kissed him hard. He kissed her back, fiercely, demanding her lone attention, which she would gladly give.

He rolled to his back, and she rolled on top of him, her long curly hair grazing his face, her soft breasts lolling against his chest. Her breasts felt so good against him. Her legs slid between his. He rolled them over again and pinned her to the bed. His mouth left a trail of kisses around each breast. His mouth set her skin on fire. "I love you so much," he said, "You're more beautiful today than you were the day I fell in love with you."

She smiled and cupped his cheek. "Words will get you everywhere, Malfoy." He grinned and kissed her mouth again. She held him close as her back arched toward him. His mouth moved down to her stomach, and lower still. As his mouth kissed across her hip, his left hand began to explore the fragile area of her folds. She responded immediately, as he knew she would, with small whimpers, which he loved, and jerky movements of her hips, which he craved. He could not wait until the moment his body entered hers. He loved the anticipation of his reward. He would never tire of her, ever. She was all he ever wanted and needed. He wanted to relish every moment of every time they made love. Savor it. Enjoy it. Make it last.

He spread her legs, putting one over his shoulder, as his tongue set to work on her cleft, in that dance they both knew so well. It was more than just his tongue on her that made her mad with desire. It was the fact that he touched her heart and soul, every time they made love.

He was always gentle with her. He appreciated what he had. He had come too close to losing her too many times, either from his own stupidity, or from other outside causes. He never missed other women, as he tasted and loved his wife. She was all he ever needed, or ever wanted, he knew that for certain.

He never thought of touching another woman, of pleasuring any woman other than the woman under him. He never wanted her to touch another man, either. When she seemed to be on the edge, (and he could always tell the moment she was on the edge), he slid back up her body and drove himself deep inside her, the whole time his hands on both sides of her face, and his eyes staring deep within hers. She kept her eyes open as the look of ecstasy began to grace her features. As they ascended to the brink of ultimate pleasure, he placed his cheek next to hers and managed to say, "I love you!"

He quickened his strokes, for he knew he didn't have much longer. He drove himself into her deeper than he ever had, and as she lifted her hips to meet each and every stroke, he knew he was drawing her closer, and closer, and soon they would be lost in each other's release.

When they were sated, he pulled her to his side, and held her tighter than he had ever held her. When they were both composed, he said, "Why do I sometimes feel like I'm losing you? Sometimes when we make love, I feel like you're going to slip away."

She frowned and cupped his cheek. She propped her head on his chest and said, "Draco, I don't know how to reassure you. I know you've always felt that way, and I don't know what I can do to alleviate those fears. I tell you I love you, I make love to you, I stick by you in thick and thin, I forgive you for everything you do. What else can I do for you?" She spoke so softly, but with so much passion, that he wanted to cry. He knew it was nothing on her end, nothing she could do. It was his problem, and one he would always have to live with.

His pain tore at her heart, like a knife. She stroked his hair and let her head drop back to his chest. He put his hands in her hair and said, "Just never leave me." He continued to comb his hands through her hair, fanning it across his chest. He felt a tear from her eyes land on his chest. He said, "Don't cry, Hermione. I know if you haven't left me yet, you never will. Don't cry. I love you."

She looked up at him again and said, "And I love you, and that's going to have to be enough."