When Draco blinked into awareness the following morning it took several minutes for the occurrences of the previous day to hit him. He was reminded how Granger had gone with Potter and Weasley at Hogsmeade, and he had spent the rest of the day pining.

Until she had come back to him.

His heart raced at the thought of how significant of a reaction he'd had to the idea that she might be talked out of spending any more time with him. It occurred to Draco that maybe Granger had crawled under his skin more than he'd realized.

And while he could attribute a part of that to the fact that he'd gone further with her than anyone else, he would have missed their easy banter, the quiet connection, and the secretive smile she seemed to reserve only for him.

Draco wasn't sure what he'd done to deserve any of that. Maybe he didn't deserve Granger at all – maybe she was so far above him – intellectually, morally, in the way she was just such a good person – and he didn't know what to make of the idea that she had chosen him. That she had defended him and their blossoming something to her best friends.

"I can hear you thinking," Granger mumbled into her pillow. Her head turned to face him and a slow, sleepy smile crawled across her face as her eyes met his. "What's the matter?"

Realizing his jaw was clenched and his entire body tense, Draco relaxed, rolling on to his back to escape the understanding in her eyes. He didn't have any answers for her so he kept silent.

The air between them felt thick and uncomfortable, and when Draco chanced to look at her, Granger was worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Are you cross with me?" she asked, her voice soft and breathy. "Because I spent the day with Harry and Ron yesterday?"

"What?" Draco snapped, his eyes flashing to hers. "No, of course not." He made a face, baffled with her incorrect conclusion. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "What I'm trying to figure out, is why you explained this to them at all. Wouldn't this all be easier for you if I wasn't in your life?"

He didn't like the flash of pity that crossed her expression. Even less so, he didn't like her miniscule flinch at his tone.

"Easier?" she asked, her expression shifting to incredulity. "You have got to be kidding me – I don't even know what easy feels like anymore. All I know is, you aren't the boy you used to be, and I like spending time with you. The war is over, Draco, and I'm doing my best to move on. Just like you."

Draco shifted, disarmed by her vehemence.

Granger looked away, carrying on quieter. "I wasn't lying when I said I was interested in something more… than just sex. And I took your word that you were too."

"I am." His response was so quick, a small smile pulled at her lips. Draco swallowed. "Maybe I just want to be good enough for you."

She leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a gentle kiss. When she drew back, her eyes met his. "It's a two-way street, don't you think?"

He tugged at one of her curls, wild from sleep. "I suppose so."

Shifting so she could prop an elbow on her pillow to face him, Granger caught her bottom lip between her teeth again. "Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

A flush crept into her cheeks. "How come you're – you've never had –" She made a face, pressing her lips together.

Draco released a bark of a laugh. "Why I'm still a virgin?" She gave a jerky sort of nod. "Granger, I was raised in an incredibly traditional family. And sex before marriage just isn't something that was ever optional. I would have been reamed to the ends of the Earth." He gave a shrug. "I guess I didn't give it much thought before and during the war, what with everything that was happening. And it wasn't until this year that I had a chance to really consider it."

"That makes sense," she whispered. "And this year – something changed?"

"My father's in Azkaban, for one," Draco reasoned. "I guess – it's a new world, isn't it? So many of my fundamental beliefs have been challenged in a way that's rocked everything I thought I knew." He hesitated for a long moment, searching for the words. "I want my life to be different than what I'd always expected for myself."

Granger gave a slow nod, her expression pensive. "That makes a lot of sense." She chuckled, glancing away. "I guess I always thought the way Parkinson hung off you when we were younger, that you'd…"

Draco laughed, feeling a shiver chase his spine. "Pansy was interested in one thing from me, and it wasn't sex."

Another nod, and Granger fell silent. When she spoke again, something felt different and Draco's eyes locked on her.

"After the war, I struggled for a long time with the idea of what I'd done to my parents." She paused and Draco frowned, uncertain. Her eyes flickered to his and away. "I sent them to Australia – I removed myself from their memories so they couldn't be found and tortured as a way to get to me, and to Harry."

His heart slammed in his chest. "Granger, I –"

"It's okay," she gave a little shake of her head. "I spent most of the summer consulting with mind healers, and we were finally able to recover their memories… but I don't know if our relationship will ever be the same. They felt betrayed, and rightly so." She gave a little sniffle, rolling onto her back to face the ceiling. "I tried to explain the situation the best I could, but they had no frame of reference for how dire the situation really was here."

His hand found hers beneath the covers, and her fingers entwined with his.

"I was so tired." Her words were a pained whisper. "Tired of fighting, tired of running, tired of always feeling like I had to do what was best for everyone else."

"You felt like you'd had no choice but to grow up too soon." Draco's throat felt dry.

"Yes." She gave a little nod. "Exactly that. And then after the war, Ron wanted more from me than I could give him at the time and I guess I just felt alone. I told you about what happened with Neville, but that isn't common knowledge." Her gaze fell on his with a bit of a smile. "Maybe it was selfish, and I was acting out, but everything that happened after that felt like a way I could just forget about everything. With my neighbour, I mean. Sex, drinking, parties. But ultimately, it was all meaningless."

He choked, "And now?"

Her hand gave his a squeeze. "I think at first, when I agreed to the arrangement, it was still a bit of the same." His insides lurched at her honesty, but it had been the same for him. "Just a bit of fun, you know. And with you, of all people, it felt like something I shouldn't have."

"Right." Draco nodded, rolling to face her. "I know."

"And I guess, when I saw that you were different, and that you were actively trying to move on and to improve your life…" She gave a shrug, her cheeks pinking again. "I realized that wasn't what I truly wanted. That person, reckless and irreverent, wasn't who I really am."

Tilting his head, Draco studied her features. She was beautiful, but there was a sadness to her that he'd noticed but hadn't truly unpacked before. "There isn't anything wrong with choosing yourself now and again," he muttered. "Unless you're me – and you choose yourself every time."

"Draco," she said, frowning. "I don't think that's true. You did what you had to do to keep your family safe."

He glanced away. "And ultimately I made a great fucking mess of everything." He shook his head, facing her again. "I'm not proud of the things I've done. And my mistakes weren't harmless."

She opened her mouth to speak but at the raise of his brow, closed it again. "My point, Granger, is that I think you have the best heart of anyone I know. And it's okay to feel hurt, and lost, and to wonder what exactly life is about. It doesn't take away from the person you are."

Her eyes shone with moisture but she didn't look away. Draco pressed his lips together, feeling a knit take his brow and a twist in his stomach. "I'm still trying to forgive myself for what I've done, and I'm not sure what that will take, or how long. But you, Granger, you're a hero. I'm sorry for the decisions you had to make, and I can't imagine any of them were made lightly." He shrugged, shifting away. "I guess I just need you to know how much I admire you. It means a lot that you've chosen to give me another chance."

"Draco." The word was a broken whisper chasing through her lips as she swiped at the tears breaking from her eyes. "You've given yourself that chance. And I find… I'm quite glad you did."

She gave him a watery smile, leaning forward to press her lips to his again. Drawing her closer, Draco buried a hand in her hair and returned the kiss, feeling her tears on his own cheeks. He swallowed when they broke apart, feeling emotionally exposed and raw in a way he couldn't remember ever feeling.

But she grinned, her fingers tracing his side. "I've decided what I'd like to do today."

"Are you sure about this?" Draco stared, brows high, as Granger handled his broom.

She ran a hand across the glossy surface of the wood, her eyes large. She let the broom hover in the air a moment before turning it over in her hands again. "Yes. I'm sure."

Swallowing, Draco offered her a smile. He was well aware of the level of trust she was showing him by asking him to take her flying. It was overwhelming.

Granger handed him the broom and he kept his eyes on hers as he mounted. At her hesitation, he looked pointedly at the handle ahead of him. "You ought to know I'm not going to let you get hurt."

"I know." The assurance was quick and breathy. She blew out a long exhale that made Draco's lips twitch with a smirk. He thought she gave a bit of a nod and swung one leg over the broom, nestling herself tightly back against him. His cock twitched at the feel of her arse so close as he reached an arm across her stomach.

He hesitated, planting his feet. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," she whispered, her face swivelling to the side so she could look at him. "I trust you. And I trust that you aren't going to do anything crazy, or fly too fast, or turn too sharply or –"

"Granger," Draco snickered, effectively ending her nerve-induced tirade. "You're fine."

He tightened his grip on her for show, though he knew she wasn't going anywhere, and planted a kiss into her messy bun of curls as he pushed off from the ground.

She released a quiet whimper, her teeth biting hard into her lower lip and Draco chuckled as they rose into the air, nuzzling her neck. "Would you try and enjoy yourself please? It'll help you get over your fear of flying far more easily."

He could feel her nod as she planted a hand on his thigh for her own security, but Draco felt her touch shoot through him and he shifted on the broom. Sporting a hard-on while flying wasn't the most comfortable thing he'd ever done.

Steering the broom from behind her, Draco felt Granger soften in his hold as the tension left her and she began to relax. He felt a smile pull at his lips as he picked up speed, lifting the broom higher into the air.

Pulling the broom around so she could see the entirety of the Hogwarts grounds, he heard the catch of her breath. "It's remarkable, isn't it?"

"It is," he agreed, reaching with one hand to adjust her grip to the handle, and her fingers coiled into a tight grip. With a smirk, Draco leaned back, releasing some of his control on the broom.

Granger had become so transfixed with the view she didn't realize he was no longer steering until he lifted his other hand to wrap around her, his chin dropping down to rest on her shoulder.

"Draco!" she hissed, her eyes widening.

"You're fine," he murmured into her ear. "You've been flying for a few minutes already."

She gaped, her eyes narrowing as they met his, and Draco grinned, but she didn't falter. Leaning forward to test the speed, Granger startled to realize she was fully in control.

Feeling the tension coming into her body again, Draco pressed a kiss to her throat. "Don't," she whispered, even as she sunk back a little into him, getting a feel for the subtle shifts and turns of the broom with intense focus.

But Draco only chuckled, moving back. "You're a natural. Not that I'm surprised."

Her expression fixed with concentration, Granger leaned forward, taking the broom into a sharp dive and she released a soft scream, yanking upwards on the handle in surprise, and nearly throwing Draco off the back.

He reached a hand forward to steady the broom, throwing his head back in laughter as Granger released a strangled sound.

"Okay," she said, the word huffed as a breath. "You fly again, please."

Snorting inelegantly, Draco reclaimed control of the broom.

It was the best day Draco could remember having in a long time. They flew into the village for dinner at a small cafe and Granger regaled the time she'd broken into Gringotts and escaped on the back of a blind dragon.

She tucked herself into his hold as they opted to walk back, and her face was flushed with the chill of the night air by the time they arrived back at the castle.

Everything she said and did made his heart race. And Draco wasn't entirely certain what to make of that.

When they arrived back at the eighth year common room, Granger took up a seat on the couch beside Blaise and Theo, and pulled him down beside her with an absent smile.

His friends saluted her with their glasses of Firewhisky and matching, knowing grins.

Draco's heart was worked into a frenzy by the time Granger announced she was sleepy, but it didn't feel like panic or worry. There was something about her knowing the truth, and not just about his experience.

The conversation they'd shared that morning had flayed Draco open in ways he hadn't realized he was ready to share with anyone. But it felt like a load off – it felt like relief. He'd shared some of his darkest thoughts with her, and she'd accepted them.

She accepted him.

It was crazy to think that he had been so eager to get his first time over with, only to realize that she was the one he truly wanted. That clarity felt so much more important now.

Sex with her had somehow gone from the forefront of his mind to somewhere hazy in the background. Not that he wasn't still –

Granger slammed him against the inside of his door as she chased him into his room, her lips finding his in an instant. Her fingers played with the buttons of his oxford, pushing the fabric from his shoulders.

Startled, Draco blinked down at her as she drew away, a coy smile playing at her lips.

"I had a really nice day today," she said, fidgeting with a loose curl. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkled.

Draco swallowed, tugging her jumper over her head. "So did I. The best."

She took a step closer, her fingers trailing along the muscles of his abdomen. "I thought maybe, we could make it a nice night too. That is, if you want to."

His heart was slamming against the interior of his ribcage, seeking escape. He choked, "I want to."

"It's fine, you know?" Her head tilted to the side. "You don't need to be nervous."

He must have looked more nervous than he'd tried to let on. But as the thought crossed his mind, Draco realized his eyes were wide, his chest heaving, his jaw tight.

"I'm not nervous," he managed, even as she released a soft giggle.

"Is there something I should do?" she asked, a smile playing at her lips. "To make this memorable, I mean. My own first wasn't exactly… anything special."

Draco cracked a grin, shaking his head. "No, I don't need candles and roses, if that's what you're asking."

Granger released a bright laugh, her smile widening as her fingers dropped to loosen his belt buckle. His cock jumped in his trousers in anticipation, and Draco fired a wordless wish into the universe that he could hold out until he'd pleased her.

He should have had a wank earlier.

Except he'd been with her literally the entire day.

He tugged at the narrow strap of her shirt, drawing the thin fabric over her head, leaving her in her bra and jeans. There was a flush creeping up her neck into her face and something in her eyes caught his attention.

"I really like you," she said, her brows furrowing. "I don't mean to scare you off, or anything, but I'm glad… it's like this. And not just nothing."

"So far from nothing," Draco agreed, running his hands along the soft skin of her arms. "And I find I'm quite fond of you, too."

He wasn't certain whether it was fondness that was pushing against his chest, but he wasn't quite ready to explore what else it might have been. Not when her fingers were tugging at the closure on his trousers, leaving him in his shorts.

Feeling nerves chase through him, Draco drew her in for a kiss, and Granger's lips were searing as they met his, the way her tongue tangled with his own, and her hand dragging along the bare length of his spine. He buried a hand into her hair, his other dropping to undo her jeans. He realized there was a faint shake to his hand and he fumbled the button, feeling heat and doubt creep into his cheeks.

She smiled against his lips, and reached down to release the clasp on her own jeans, pushing the tight fabric down her legs. She grabbed her wand, muttering a quick contraceptive spell.

Draco chuckled to cover his nerves, shifting to trail kisses along the line of her jaw. "You might need to... " He couldn't finish the thought, embarrassment holding his tongue.

With another soft kiss, she drew back, her lips twitching. "At your service. I sort of like that I get to be your first." Her tone was musing as her head fell to the side. "Hermione Granger, taking Draco Malfoy's virginity."

He barked a laugh, feeling some of the tension sink from his shoulders. "Quite the thought, isn't it?"

"Quite."

Drawing her in for another kiss, Draco felt himself relax. This was familiar ground, and he clung to that as he shifted her backwards towards the bed. There was a sort of languidity in the kiss, and he wasn't sure whether he had expected to feel more anxious, more urgent.

But he found he wasn't in a rush with Granger, and it seemed, neither was she.

Pulling him down to the bed with her, her feet tangled with his as she trailed a hand down his stomach, pushing his shorts down and slipping inside. A harsh breath chased from his lungs as her grip found his already painfully hard cock, setting a slow, torturous rhythm. He toed his shorts off the rest of the way.

Draco drew in a long breath, releasing the clasp of her bra and taking her breasts in his hands, teasing the peaks. Her hand clenched as she arched into him, his name tumbling from her lips as her eyes fluttered.

He caught one nipple between his lips, dropping his other hand to slip beneath the waistband of her knickers. As he moved to drag them down the smooth skin of her legs he felt her gaze on him – her eyes were glazed, her pupils dilated, and for a second Draco forgot to breathe.

Dropping her knickers to the floor, he swallowed as his eyes flickered down her fully exposed body. She was chewing her bottom lip when he looked back to her face, and gave her a slow smile. "You're so beautiful."

Her returning smile was exhilarating.

His mouth was dry at the thought; Draco wanted so badly to taste her. But he wasn't sure whether he could handle that right now, with the way her hand was teasing him and pushing him to limits of which he was already uncertain.

So he kissed her instead, feeling the soft curves of her body press against his own, and he thought his heart might simply burst through his chest.

Dragging a finger along her slit, he felt a smirk tug at his lips at her wetness. He dipped one finger, and then another, inside her, testing the way she reacted to the motion, experimenting with the angle and pace.

When Granger released a cry and her eyes rolled back, her hand stilling on him, he cracked a grin.

Her eyes flew open and her chest was heaving, her face flushed. She tugged at the head of his cock and Draco swallowed, extracting his fingers from within her. He couldn't help but taste her juice on his fingers and her eyes widened at the action, her lips twitching.

"Are you sure?" she whispered, her tone teasing.

"I'm sure," he muttered, dropping his forehead to hers. "So bloody sure."

Without fanfare, Granger positioned him at her entrance and gave a little nod. Biting down on his lower lip, Draco eased inside, a huff of a breath chasing from him at the feel of her tightness surrounding him, warm and wet.

She smiled up at him, as if she hadn't just turned his world over, and entwined her hands in his hair. "Go ahead."

Swallowing, he drew out – and pressed back inside. He cursed, his vision nearly blacking out. This would be an exercise in self-control more than he'd ever realized.

And he fell into a rhythm, testing and pushing, and every nerve of his body was alight and aware of her beneath him as she pulled him into a kiss, her hands trailing his back and sides, drawing him closer.

Granger was whispering his name, making quiet sounds, and he was certain it would be his undoing as her teeth caught his earlobe. His arms strained, every muscle in his body tense as he felt his own release closing in.

Her hand dropped between her legs and she arched into him, her other hand clawing at his shoulder; Draco picked up speed, driving into her harder, faster – she released a cry, her eyes fluttering shut as her walls tightened and Draco gave in. A wall of pleasure crashed over him like a wave, darkening his vision and twisting his mind into a spiral of nothing but her.

When his eyes opened and he came back down, Granger was blinking up at him. His heart was racing, his chest rising and falling rapidly, and there was a sheen of sweat on his face and chest.

Realizing he was still buried in Granger he made to withdraw, unable to find any words that felt appropriate for the moment. But she smiled, her eyes sparkling, and her lips met his in a soft kiss.

Intending to say something heartfelt and meaningful Draco drew away and blurted out, "Right. That was… excellent. Thanks."

Granger released a laugh, shaking her head. "Indeed it was. You're welcome. And thanks to you."

He pressed his lips shut, exhaling through his nose. Her smile was teasing and contagious, and he found himself grinning, his brows flickering. "You're welcome, also."

She hopped to her feet, slipping into the loo and Draco couldn't keep from watching her bare arse. He found some tissue, cleaning himself up, and she crawled into his bed when she returned.

Following her lead, Draco slipped beneath the covers nude, stifling a wide yawn.

"Get some sleep," Granger breathed, burying herself against his chest. He felt overheated and sticky but drew her closer anyway, dropping a kiss into her hair. "I'll wake you in a bit for round two."

"Round two." His eyes widened and she gave him a slow, happy smile.

So," Granger prompted, breathing quickly as she rolled off of Draco to lay beside him the next morning. His own chest was heaving, heart aggressive in his ribcage. "How does it feel?"

Her hair was wild from round two – and round three – and Draco blinked dumbly at her, tugging a messy tangle of curls. Attempting to wrap his head around how she'd just ridden his cock, he swallowed, his eyes snapping back to hers.

"How does what feel?"

She laughed, shifting under the sheets. "You aren't a virgin anymore."

Draco hesitated. "It feels… about the same. Only, better."

"It isn't that big of a deal now, is it?" she asked, slipping her bottom lip between her teeth. "And now we have all sorts of things we can try."

"I am available for trying things," Draco said with a quick nod. Her eyes landed on his as she laughed, and there was something else in her face. He sobered, trailing his fingers across her cheekbone. "Granger, losing my virginity doesn't really feel all that important anymore." He took a long breath, steeling his nerves. "But something else does."

Her expression dropped, face tilted to the side. "What's that?"

Draco swallowed, his throat dry. "Being in love."

"Love," she repeated, her eyes wide. Her hand stilled on his chest in surprise.

"Right," Draco muttered, averting his eyes. "I think… I love you. And maybe it's too fast and you don't need to – I didn't think I would ever feel like this about anyone and –"

He couldn't piece his words together, not with the way she was gaping at him like he was insane, and Draco frowned, feeling a hot sting of shame, wishing he hadn't said anything. His mind reeled, searching for some way he could retract the words.

"I love you, too," she whispered, interrupting the spiralling thoughts.

Searching for a hint of a lie in her stare proved futile, and Draco's heart clenched in his chest. His lips pulled into a smile and found hers.

He couldn't believe any of this had happened. That out of everything that could have possibly come from such an endeavour, he would find someone he truly cared for.

The clock on the wall struck and Draco pulled away, feeling something sting at his eyes. "We ought to get up soon."

Her hand found his length beneath the covers and her eyes met his. "Think we have time for one more before class?"

He grinned, drawing her closer, and mumbled against her lips, "Anything for you."

Author's Note: That's all folks! I really hope you enjoyed this little story about Draco falling in love (and getting laid along the way). I'm so grateful for all of you for reading, following along, and leaving such kind words throughout. I've been a little overwhelmed by all the positivity, in the best way.

Much love and respect to my alpha, Kyonomiko, and my beta, I was BOTWP, for their support and dedication in working on this story with me.

So what's next? I'm 40k into a fun summer story that I hope to begin sharing with you before the month ends. I've got a few fest and comp pieces coming up, and some assorted birthday one-shots. And then, if all goes according to plan, a longer piece! Drop a follow, or find me on Tumblr (indreamsink) for updates, aesthetics, and other dramione/fandom goodies! Love and light xoxo Dreams