A/N: I'm so sorry, everybody. I've realized that it's been a little over a month since my last update and believe you me, it hadn't been my intention to publish this so late. That said, I hope you enjoy this chapter. More at the bottom.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, it's still not mine.

"So, have you any plans for your birthday?"

Hermione snapped out of her reverie and turned to look at Draco, who was stirring the bubbling liquid in a cauldron idly.

"Er…"

Now that I think about it, nobody's owled me to make plans to celebrate. I understand they lead busy lives but how could they forget when in previous years they'd owl me a week in advance not to make any plans…

She tried to shake off the lingering bitterness and shook her head.

"No, no plans," she answered wryly.

Draco glanced up at her and arched a pale eyebrow at her.

I can almost hear the disparaging thoughts concerning my friends running through his head.

"In that case, would you like to have dinner?"

Hermione blinked and felt grateful for the vapor that had caused her skin to flush.

"Oh! Yes, I'd… I'd like that," she answered, meeting his silver gaze. "Like a… date?"

Draco tilted his head slightly, an amused smile curling the corners of his lips.

"Would you like it to be?"

She swallowed thickly before looking down at her own cauldron, whose liquid was beginning to bubble, and bit her lip.

Do I want it to be a date? Absolutely. Draco's been nothing but charming and flirtatious although he's certainly kept his distance... literally. He hasn't initiated contact ever since our talk in the Manor. Could this dinner bring good change between us?

Apparently Hermione had taken too long to answer because Draco cleared his throat.

"Or not…" he muttered, going back to his cauldron.

"No! No, I… sorry," Hermione murmured, looking at him from under her lashes. "Yes."

His face brightened and he gave her a lopsided smile, "Good to know."

Hermione gave him a timid smile and felt a tingle run up her spine at the way his eyes shone.

It's not the first time I've seen him give me this look. It typically happens when he thinks I'm not looking. These intense looks, full of… adoration? Merlin, it makes me want to pounce on him and snog him silly.

"I know the perfect place… how does seven sound?" Draco questioned, bottling the potion he'd been working on.

"It's good. What's the name of this perfect place?" Hermione teased, aiming a little smirk his way.

He smirked back at her and, to her surprise, gave her the name of an expensive Italian Muggle restaurant.

"Why so shocked, Granger? It's not the first time I've taken you to a Muggle establishment," he chuckled.

After giving another stab at friendship, Draco had gone back to calling her by her surname. Hermione missed the intimacy of having him call her by her given name but delighted in the way his polished voice would drawl her surname; something she'd loathed when they were in school but had come to appreciate later on in life.

"No, I know… it's just… it took me by surprise, is all," she shrugged, blushing as she bottled her own potion.

Draco only chuckled and they continued to bottle the potion up in silence. Even so, Hermione felt lighthearted and she and Draco often glanced at each other as they worked, a small smile curving their lips. Once they were finished, he escorted her to the Floo room.

"Well…" she trailed off, unsure of what to say next.

"Granger, wear something pretty," Draco smirked before leaning in and pressing the lightest of kisses on her cheek.

She closed her eyes and delighted in the warmth of his lips, which was all too fleeting. She was intoxicated by his unique scent along with the smells of potions and ingredients they'd used. Hermione hadn't even realized she'd sighed until she felt the smallest of pressures on her other cheek but when she opened her eyes, Draco was simply watching her.

"I will," she whispered before disappearing into the green flames.

When she went in to work on Monday, she was taken aback when Kingsley himself appeared in her office and told her to take the day off on Friday.

All the more time to get ready for my date with Draco.

"My date with Draco," she said to herself, a smile blooming on her lips.

Once she got out of work, she went to a boutique to find something pretty to wear. She browsed and browsed but nothing caught her attention until she came across it. She plucked it out of the rack and stared at it, pursing her lips.

Okay, it's not what one could call traditionally 'pretty' but… I really like it. And it's in my size too! What luck.

After finding the perfect jewelry to complement her outfit, she paid and made her way home. Once there, she hung it on her doorway and stared at it admiringly.

"I think he's going to like it," she grinned impishly, clapping her hands eagerly.

Fortunately for her, Friday came all too soon.

Hermione slept in, basking in the mid-September sun that filtered in through her window like a cat. She then soaked in the tub, letting the scents of the oils she'd added relax her. After wrapping herself in her favorite midnight blue silk robe, she made her way to her kitchen and prepared breakfast for herself that consisted of waffles, fresh fruit and tea.

She glanced at the clock in her kitchen as she charmed the dishes to wash themselves and was surprised that it was barely noon.

Well, there is that one book I've been wanting to read but haven't gotten around to it...

She smiled and made her way to her bookshelf and settling down in her favorite spot in the couch, curling her legs underneath her. A few hours later, she began to feel the stirrings of hunger and settled for a pot of tea and biscuits.

Once it turned five, Hermione decided she better start getting ready lest she arrive late for her date with Draco. She bookmarked the page she'd read last and jumped up, stretching her limbs lazily. Ambling to her room, she slipped on a pair of pretty lacy knickers (just in case, Hermione thought as she blushed) and then dressed.

After adding Sleekeazy's to her hair to tame her curls, she brushed her hair to the side and draped it over her shoulder, pinning the back. As she observed her reflection in the mirror, she was pleased to see just how radiant she looked and decided to keep her makeup simple. After swiping on her favorite scarlet lipstick, she combed mascara through her lashes and then put on small gold hoop earrings. She stared at her necklace and then sighed, realizing she should have put it on before her outfit. She hastily undid her top, slipped her necklace on and grinned.

Oh, I think Draco's going to love this.

After spritzing on her favorite perfume and slipping on a pair of silver open-toed slingback heels, Hermione gave herself one last glance and smirked appreciatively.

She'd ended up buying a white halter jumpsuit with a plunging neck. What she loved most about it, though, was the fact that it had pockets. The gold body chain she'd bought went along with the jumpsuit perfectly; the chain was thin but it shimmered beautifully and in the middle it had a tiny diamond.

As much as I love how I look, I have a feeling I might get cold. Better use a charm for that. Although I really should carry a light jacket… wouldn't want to get sick.

After finally deciding on a lightweight wrap, she still used a heating charm and then grabbed her clutch. Hermione Apparated to an alley a street away from the restaurant. As she got closer, felt a tremulous sort of anticipation and took deep breaths as she stood before the doors. She was reaching for the door when she noticed the lack of movement from inside the restaurant and cocked her head. She took a few steps backward and glanced up at the name.

Yes, this is the place. So why does it look empty? Oh, gods… this better not be a surprise party. I'll wring Draco's neck if it is. He should know I loathe surprises!

She sucked in a sharp breath and reminded herself of her Gryffindor bravery before letting herself inside. Her deduction had been correct, the restaurant was indeed empty aside from the hostess who was watching her patiently.

The hostess gave Hermione a kind smile as she approached hesitantly and relaxed.

"I'm here for—"

"Yes, I know, miss. Your party is here already," the hostess interrupted, an amused smile on her face.

At the word 'party,' Hermione froze and then felt her heart accelerate.

No, no, no… that sneaky little ferret! How could he?

Hermione really had no other choice but to follow the hostess and wrung her hands nervously, awaiting for the moment when everybody would inevitably pop out and surprise her.

Oh, he certainly fooled me. It would have never occurred to me to gather my friends here in Muggle London. I suppose it is kind of brilliant.

But instead of leading her to a certain sneaky Slytherin, Hermione was led to a table occupied by a couple. She came to a stop, barely registering that the hostess had left and stared at the faces she hadn't looked at in over five years.

"Mum… dad," she breathed out, still stunned.

They gave her a weary smile and all Hermione could do was stand before them, her sight slowly becoming hazy.

"What… what are you doing here?" she questioned shakily. "Not that I'm not glad to see you! But it's just… I hadn't…"

"Hermione, do sit down and we'll explain," her father told her gently, motioning to the lone empty chair.

"But where's…?" she trailed off, looking around the empty restaurant.

"Hermione."

She nodded shakily and sunk down into the chair. Just as she'd set her hands in her lap, a crack sounded through the air, causing Hermione's parents to startle.

Draco! He was here. But why… how?

Her bewilderment must have shown on her face because her parents turned to each other and held hands.

"Hermione, your young man, Draco, was the one who found us," her mother began.

"Draco? But how…?"

"That's something you'll have to ask him yourself, I think. Needless to say, he found us and after our memories were restored he explained everything to us," her father said.

"Oh, but he was clever about it. He didn't just dump information that was bound to overwhelm on us, he visited us every day and continued his story. That first day, when we were ourselves again, he stated his name and explained why he was there. The next day he told us more of himself, of the unrelenting pressure from his father and how he poisoned his mind from a young age, thus shaping his beliefs. Then it moved to you two being schoolmates, of his envy and how he bullied you. It was difficult to hear, considering we'd never heard anything of the sort from you," her mother said, raising an eyebrow at her, "but we believed him all the same."

Hermione shifted guiltily in her seat. She indeed never told her parents of Draco Malfoy because although he had been a terribly prejudiced snot who often delighted in telling her hurtful things, she didn't want that to affect how her parents viewed the Wizarding World. She'd considered him a rotten apple in a barrel full of shiny ones and let it be.

"Then he told us how although he still disliked you, he couldn't help but grudgingly admire your ambition and slowly, your intellect. Sure, he said you were irritating with the way you flaunted the latter but he said he eventually understood the reason for it even if he hated it then. He told of the ball, where he considered you to be the most beautiful witch in the room and detested himself for his traitorous thoughts. He told that little by little, his feelings towards you shifted. From blind hatred, to dislike and it finally ended on annoyance and confessed that he could never bring himself to feel indifferent about you. That you were (and still are) too much of a spitfire to be ignored," her father chuckled.

Hermione listened to their words, watching their faces raptly.

Good Godric, how I missed them. To think this is Draco's doing… damn it, Hermione. Pay attention to your parents!

"But then he told us of his father's failure and how he'd become a… what was it? Oh, yes. A Death Eater. Told us of the foolish pride he'd felt upon being branded and of his descent into desperation as the year passed. He told us of his mission, of his subsequent failures and of the threats his mother was under if he weren't to succeed. How little he slept and ate, how he'd become a shadow of his former self…" Hermione's mother trailed off, looking pained. "Of his ultimate failure and how cruelly he was punished for it. Then he told us of his role in the war. How he was the one to watch over the prisoners in their dungeons. How his parents became ghosts of their formidable selves, watching how their house was overrun with monsters. How he was the one blamed and punished when something went wrong."

Hermione tensed suddenly, knowing that the topic her torture surely approached.

"He told us how after witnessing an act so horrifying, he wasn't able to sleep. How that act alone destroyed what beliefs he still held on to. How he couldn't be in the room without hearing the screams and how the blood never washed out of the carpet," Hermione's father shuddered, clasping her mother's hand tighter.

Hermione swallowed thickly and felt an immense gratitude towards Draco in her heart for not revealing to her parents it was her blood that had been spilled on the Manor.

"He went on to talk about the final battle, about his cowardice and of the relief he felt when it was all over. He told us of his life after the war, settling down and being branded as evil even though he'd been cleared of all charges. Of how the solitude did him good and how it helped him reflect. But then he told us about you. How you changed his life and made him want to be a better man. Of the regret he felt and of the envy he felt at seeing you with your then beau. The despair he felt when you became engaged," Hermione's mother said, frowning slightly. "But then of the happiness when you showed up at his door, in a wedding dress. The dates you went on, trying to hide his love from you… and then of your confession on his birthday."

Hermione swallowed down her shame, trying not to fidget in her chair at the mention of her broken engagement. But she was brought down back to earth by her mother's last sentence.

"He told us of what he said to you, Hermione. It was all so degrading. I almost slugged him for calling you all those terrible names," Hermione's father scowled.

Her mother patted his arm soothingly and nodded.

"I agree. I almost told him to get out of the house then but he plowed on, telling of us of the devastating regret that settled in his chest. How it wasn't in his place to judge when he himself didn't have a perfect past, how he should have been more understanding. It was easy for me to trust what he said because he was so… straightforward about everything, not once mincing words. His face remained earnest and open and we could see the emotions he felt then in his eyes clearly."

"You believed him?" Hermione asked, biting her lip.

"Should we not have?" her father asked crisply, exchanging glances with her mother. "Did he lie?"

"No! No, that's not it. He didn't lie to you."

"We thought not," her mother shrugged.

"I'm curious… why did you believe him?"

"Because his love for you just... oozed out of him," Hermione's mother smiled. "From his eyes, from the way he spoke to his gestures… he's a man who's in love with our daughter."

Hermione felt her heart swell with love for Draco.

"How did he convince you to come?" she whispered. "I know you probably don't trust me anymore and I can't bring myself to blame you. What I did was despicable, but I wanted to keep you safe."

"Oh, Hermione… it was a breach of our trust, yes, but we will always love you. We hadn't seen our little girl in years and we thought it was time to come home. Happy birthday, sweetheart," his father told her, giving her a smile.

Hermione's chin wobbled and before either of her parents could utter another word, Hermione was out of her chair and throwing herself into their arms. She sobbed as they held her, stiffly at first, but then they held her affectionately.

"I'm so… so… sorry," Hermione sobbed. "I thought it was for the best. So many parents of Muggleborn witches and wizards were being murdered and I didn't want you to be next. It was selfish of me. I should have asked. But the more I waited, the more I risked and I didn't want to lose you. Which was what ended up happening, anyway. For five years! I'm so sorry I didn't come for you earlier…"

"Oh, Hermione…"

"I was so scared that it wouldn't work, that the spell had become unreversible after a certain time," Hermione babbled. "To think that my intelligence failed me certainly humbled me."

"We're not going to say it's okay, Hermione, because it isn't. It's going to take a while, but we will trust you again. Like I said, our love for you is infinite. We understand how you thought it might've been the best decision at the time although we wish you would have consulted with us before sending us off into the outback," Hermione's father said to her.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you… having you here with me after so long is more than enough," Hermione sighed, hugging her parents tightly.

"Now… don't you think it's time you went to see a certain blond wizard and thank him?" her mother queried.

Hermione pulled away and looked at her parents, her heart constricting with emotion at having them with her again.

"You were right, your Draco was here," Hermione's father nodded.

"Why did he leave?" Hermione frowned.

"Undoubtedly giving us some time together. Now, we're here, Hermione and we'll always be here for you. But it's time for you to be happy again."

"But I have been happy—"

"Yes, but you want more than friendship, don't you?" her mother asked sagely, arching her eyebrow.

"Well, yes, but if he's not ready…"

"He's more than ready, sweetheart. He told us that he thinks you aren't ready. Looks like the two of you need to have another talk," Hermione's father chuckled.

"But you—"

"—will be at home, settling down into our life of being the Grangers once again," Hermione's mother sighed, giving her a smile.

"Are you sure?"

"We're more than sure, Hermione. Go," her mother said, extricating herself gently from Hermione. "Besides, it's be a waste if he didn't get to see you looking so pretty."

Hermione blushed but then nodded and hugged her parents fiercely before giving them a kiss each.

"I love you mum, I love you dad," she smiled at them, pulling away.

"See you, sweetheart."

Hermione didn't hesitate to grab her clutch and headed to the restroom, reaching into her bag for her wand. She concentrated on the grand Manor being on Wiltshire and Apparated, a loud crack echoing in the restroom.

After the discomfort of Apparation, she opened her eyes and found herself before the gates. Just as she was about to send a Patronus to Draco, the front doors of the Manor were flung open. Lo and behold, there he stood and began to run towards her (seemingly forgetting he was a wizard and could easily Apparate), flicking his wand at the gates so they could open for her.

Hermione's heart slammed against her ribs and she broke into a run, disregarding the fact that she was in heels and soon collided into his solid chest.

"Draco! Oh, Draco!" she cried out breathlessly, wrapping her arms around his middle. "You… you… thank you."

He hugged her back just as fervently and she felt the pull of Apparation once more.

"Hermione, Hermione, Hermione," he muttered into the top of her head.

She pulled away and looked into his face; he looked delightfully flushed, his slate eyes gazing at her intently.

"Why did you do it, Draco?" she whispered, biting her lower lip.

His eyes flickered down momentarily to her lips before focusing on her own again.

"Because you missed them," he responded, brushing his thumb along her jaw.

She shuddered and leaned into his touch.

"Thank you so much, Draco," she muttered, her eyes fluttering to a close as she relished his touch.

"You have nothing to thank me for, Hermione," he said, the warmth of his breath fanning across her face.

"You gave me back my parents," she told him firmly, snapping her eyes open and looking at him. "I never thought I'd see them again. But you made the impossible… possible."

"Having a lot of galleons certainly sped up the process, I think," Draco chuckled, never once taking his eyes off Hermione.

"I'm going to pay you back," she promised.

"Hermione, no. That's so gauche," he snorted softly.

"What else did you do?"

"I... might have had something to do with your friends not making plans with you for your birthday. Plus I might have talked to the Minister into giving you the day off," Draco smirked at her.

"You are impossible."

"But you love it," he quipped cheekily.

Hermione watched him and sighed contentedly at being in his arms once again.

"I do. But more than that... I love you, Draco. I love you so much."

He froze, his eyes widening at the fervency in her voice. A pink tinge appeared in his cheeks and Hermione found it to be the most endearing thing ever.

"All this time we've spent together as friends has been lovely, but I've missed this. I've missed touching you and feeling close to you. I want to be with you, Draco. I want to be by your side when you're at your happiest and not. I… don't care if we don't get married, but—"

She was stopped by the press of his lips against hers. Hermione didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck, pressing her body closer to his and delighted in his groan and in the way his fingers caressed her bare back.

Oops… I seem to have misplaced my wrap. Oh, well. Can't quite bring myself to care when I'm snogging the most delectable man on earth.

Passion flowed through her veins, burying her fingers in the soft hair at the nape of his neck as she kissed him back as ardently as he kissed her.

"Oh, how I love you, Hermione… I love you so much. I want you with me, forever. Or until you'll have me," he murmured against her lips, pulling away slightly.

"I'll always want you, git," she told him affectionately.

"Good, I plan on keeping things that way," he replied impishly.

Hermione chuckled and brushed the fringe off his forehead tenderly.

"Oh, Merlin… what did I do to deserve you?" he muttered, pressing his forehead against hers. "For the record, I do want to marry you. I think a Spring wedding would be lovely, don't you think? We could even invite your group of Gryffindors if you so desire."

She nuzzled her nose against his and smiled, sliding her hands from the back of his neck to his chest.

"Is that a proposal I'm hearing, Mr. Malfoy?" she teased.

"Oh, darling… you'll know when I propose. You know we Malfoys don't half arse things," he told her pompously.

She laughed, loving how his steady heartbeat felt against the palm of her hand.

"I love you, Draco Malfoy," she said, brushing her lips against his.

"I love you more, Hermione Granger. Have I told you how ravishing you look?" he asked her huskily.

"No, no you have not," she shuddered, nipping his lower lip.

"Well, you do. Almost good enough to eat," he growled, running his hand to her back and gripping her bum.

"Are you offering?" Hermione asked him cheekily.

Draco abruptly pulled away, his eyes a molten silver and broke out into a predatory smile.

"Yes, please."

And that's the end. No, really.

Did you like it? Was it cliche? I may write an epilogue later on, so keep this story followed if that would be something you're interested in reading.

I'd like to thank everybody who's taken the time to read and for those who reviewed, a Sugar Quill for you. Thank you for staying with me until the very end, I appreciate every one of you (even the ones who didn't review).

I'd like to pimp my (three chapter *cough*) one-shot called Delayed, featuring Muggle Hermione and Draco who meet at an airport. Think that's something up your alley? Go forth and read. I hope you like it.

If anybody's interested in what I'm going to write next, I'm going to tackle the daddy!Draco trope. It won't be as long as this (or at least I hope not). Good luck to me, eh?

Until next time, keep cool my babies.