AN: People asked, so I wrote. I actually dislike this in a way. I liked my other ending but I did feel it was left a little too open. As for this...pretty lame, and I didn't read it over either. But if you didn't read Chapter 8 read that first! And thanks so much for the great reviews, I love reading them. I'm already brainstorming another Dramione story. ;) 3

"Hermione! Draco! Come down for breakfast!"

"You think they know we sleep together yet?" A sleepy smirk spread across Draco Malfoy's face as his hold tightened slightly around Hermione Granger's warm frame.

"They might kill me if they did…" She replied with a yawn. It had been like this the last few days. Hermione and Draco had returned to the Granger residence and found her desperate parents waiting there. Hermione had been missing for about two months and everyone had been searching for her after she didn't arrive at the Burrow once her parents left that fateful night. To Draco's surprise even Blaise had been worried about him. Hermione had explained to her parents everything that had happened, minus a few big details, and they welcomed Draco in their home with open arms. The old boy they had heard their daughter complain abut for so many years was gone, instead in his place was a man who was quiet and polite, devoted to their daughter.

They weren't without their old selves however though. Despite being freed of Voldemort's Curse, neither wanted to sleep alone, the possibility of a nightmare was too apparent in their minds. And so every night after Hermione's parents went to sleep, they would put anti-noise spells on their rooms and Draco would Apparate noiselessly over to Hermione's room and they would sleep, only returning when they were called down for breakfast. Once Hermione had gotten back she knew she had to send word to Harry, Ron, and the Weasleys, they had been searching for her too. Harry demanded an explanation for everything and it only led to another invitation to the Burrow. She knew it was unavoidable except now she would be accompanied by someone, Malfoy. "I won't get you in trouble love, I promise." He smirked slightly as he pressed his lips lightly to hers and for the moment the inevitability of their situation disappeared from Hermione's mind and she snuggled closer in Draco's arms. A light tapping at her window brought them both out of their pleasant state. The slight smile vanished from Draco's face as he looked at the small owl fluttering insanely out Hermione's window. But she recognized the owl, she'd know him from anywhere. Pigwidegeon.

"It'll be Harry again…he wants to make sure I'll still breathing and actually showing up this time." Hermione frowned slightly but couldn't help but want to see her friends again, it had been too long. Draco looked indifferent but he was scared. They were her life, and if they couldn't except him, what would happen? He could hardly blame them if they didn't of course though…it had once been his goal to make their lives hell and he was good at it.

"Well read it and we'll talk at breakfast. I'll get down there before your mum comes looking for us." He kissed the tip of her nose quickly before Apparating back to his room. Hermione crawled out of bed, groaning slightly at the lack of Draco and walked to her window to let Pig in, giving him a snack and just barely grabbing the letter from him small leg. With a deep breath she opened it and gazed down at Harry's handwriting:

Hermione-

Everything's all set for you to come in the next few days. We all miss you, Ron too in case you don't believe me. And we're worried about you too. The whole explanation you gave us was far from your normal detailed answers. I know you said you're ok, but I'd like the full story. Can you blame me for still being a bit anxious about everything? Just…please show up this time. I don't fancy tearing up England looking for you again.

-Harry

Hermione sighed as she read, reading all the worry in his words and not knowing how he, or anyone for that matter, would take Draco Malfoy being her boyfriend. She didn't know how she'd ever approach this, but she knew she had to, and soon. She threw on a robe and went downstairs. She hid a smile as she saw her dad reading her copy of the Prophet with a confused look on his face and Draco shoveling eggs into his mouth while her mother set bacon down on their plates. "Morning Herms. So what's all this business with enchanted tea cups? Says the Ministry had a terrible Inquiry…" Her dad said as he read, glancing worriedly at the tea cup before him and Hermione smiled as she sat beside Draco who swallowed a massive bite before looking at her curiously.

"Mum, Dad…I was thinking about finally getting around to the Burrow, Harry and Ron are worried…" She clasped her fingers under the table nervously, even talking about it made her anxious.

"Well you should go see them honey, they spent so much time trying to look for you. Plus summer's nearly over I'm sure they'll be busy soon. I think you should go." Hermione's mom said with a small smile, hinting slightly at what her daughter's plan might be for her future. Draco took another bite as her mom glanced at him, making Hermione blush. They had spoken about her and Draco's relationship and where it may go, but honestly, Hermione didn't know. Until a week ago they had thought they'd be stuck inside the Malfoy Manor forever, but now there wasn't even that to go back to.

"Today then. We'll go today," As Hermione said this her father looked over the paper curiously, her mother dropped the pan of bacon into the sink, and Draco found himself nearly choking on his toast. They all knew that convincing the others of Draco's reform wouldn't be an easy task, and none of them expected her immediate answer, "Is that ok?" She said in a softer voice to Draco who managed to swallow and put his hand over hers.

"It's fine. Better now than never."

"Good. We'll go in a half hour." Despite the stares from everyone Hermione got up and went to pack her things while the Granger's all gave Draco sympathetic looks. He couldn't stand it. Instead he thanked Mrs. Granger for breakfast and went to get ready as well.

**********

"Just remember to breathe." Draco said softly to Hermione as they now stood in front of the Burrow, having said their goodbyes to her parents. He had tried his best to look non-threatening, just a pair of slightly tight jeans and gray V-neck tee-shirt. Hermione's hand was shaking as he held it.

"And don't pull your wand out no matter what they say." Hermione whispered sharply back as they approached the door. He laughed softly in her ear ad lightly pressed his lips to her temple.

"Just make sure Potter plays nice." He said with a dark edge to his voice and Hermione glared at him.

"You know it might help if you called him by name." She snapped back as she reached up and knocked on the front door, her heart pounding so hard it could beat through her chest.

"Don't want him to die of shock do we?" The sound of voices snapped him back into reality and he squeezed her hand, "It'll be ok. I'm right here….we've dealt with much worse remember that. And they love you." With his last word Molly Weasley flung open the door with a huge smile on her face as she pulled Hermione into a hug, barely noticing Draco who stood silently. Molly's eyes met his and she frowned slightly, recognizing him instantly.

"Mrs. Weasley, there's a lot I need to explain…" Hermione said as the woman pulled back and eyed Draco closely, Hermione glanced at him, "But would it be alright if Draco stayed here too? His house is gone."

"Yes dears come in!" After a moment of thinking her smile returned and she beckoned them inside, "I heard about the Manor…that's too bad," Her smile remained but it didn't quite meet her eyes. Draco wanted to sink into the floor or run out the door, "Harry, Ron, and Ginny should be up any minute. George is back at Diagon Alley of course. Arthur's had another late night at the Ministry. You've missed Charlie…he was here a few weeks ago to visit Bill, Fleur, and they baby at Shell Cottage. Percy is staying with Penelope. Teddy is here of course, what a doll he is too." Molly Weasley moved around the kitchen furiously as she spoke, waving her wand around and cleaning up, making breakfast. Draco and Hermione simply listened and watched, hands clamped together, their things sitting on a chair at the table. The sound of footsteps could be heard from upstairs and Hermione froze.

"Maybe it would be better if I sort of eased them into it?" She said quickly as she looked at Draco who nodded solemnly. Mrs. Weasley turned to look at them curiously.

"I understand. I actually wanted to have a word with Mrs. Weasley, if you didn't mind." Draco turned to look at her and she nodded.

"No, of course not dear. I needed to feed the hens anyway, come along." Draco stood up and followed her outside just as the house shook as Harry and Ron descended the stairs, Ginny following close behind. They were about to dive into their breakfast when they all stopped dead and realized Hermione was sitting there. Ron's jaw dropped slightly and a small smile spread across her lips, she couldn't deny she was happy to see them. Harry gave her a bear hug, Ginny's wasn't as rib crushing, and Ron even awkwardly stepped up to hug her.

"I'm so glad you showed this time. We thought something awful happened…" Harry said as his bright green eyes went from Hermione's to the table where two mugs sat, "Did you bring someone with you?"

"Actually, we need to talk about that…." Hermione said nervously as her eyes went to each one of her friends, all who looked somewhat puzzled at her answer. She just hoped when she told them the truth it didn't completely blow up in her face.

********

"Mrs. Weasley, I want to apologize…for everything," Draco said softly, his eyes on the ground and his hands in his pockets as they stepped outside. She busied herself feeding the hens but she was listening intently to what he had to say, "I'll say what I need to later to the others, but I needed to say this all to you first. It's been driving me mental ever since the battle."

"Go on dear." Mrs. Weasley said with a small smile as she beckoned him to sit on a bench beside her. This was hard for him, she could tell. He forced himself to look her in the eyes, needing to get everything out, then and there.

"I never wanted people to die. I may have his mark on me but I don't believe in what he did. And my aunt…" He paused as he saw tears in Mrs. Weasley's eyes, "She deserved what she got tenfold. And I can never thank you enough for getting rid of her. But I wish she didn't take Fred with her. I am so…so sorry she did that to you and your family. And believe me, I've learned the meaning of loss. He didn't deserve that…you didn't deserve that…and I wish it never happened. I should've joined you a long time ago and I'm sorry I didn't. I'm sorry I wasn't a coward and didn't save him," Draco looked away, not wanting to even look at her after letting out all he did but her strong arms grabbed him tightly in a hug and he found himself hugging her back. It felt good…so good, to have this woman who was the embodiment of mother to be holding him, believing him, "Blood traitors need to stick together don't we?" She left out a small laugh as she pulled back and wiped the tears in her eyes away.

"Thank you Draco. And it wasn't your fault. We knew we would suffer losses. We just didn't know how severe," Her eyes teared up again and she patted his pale hand and stood up, "He wouldn't everyone crying over him I know that. But I will say he would never expect you showing up at our home with Hermione."

"I love her. I know that might be hard to believe but I do. More than anything." He stood up beside her and followed her back towards the door, taking a deep breath as she reached for the handle.

"I believe you dear. Your face may hide it but your eyes don't lie," She stopped and turned back when she said this with a small smile, "Come on then best see how the boys are taking it." She opened the door and immediately by the look on Harry and Ron's faces, Draco and Mrs. Weasley knew Hermione hadn't gotten to the part about Draco yet. He froze as his gray eyes surveyed the room as Hermione stepped back towards him.

"What in bloody hell is he doing here?!" Ron yelled as he and Harry drew their wands and pointed them at Draco's chest who remained silent and stoic, not daring to reach for his wand and make the situation worse.

"Hermione….what's going on?" Harry said in a low, dangerous voice as he glared at Draco.

"Don't you dare cast a spell or I'll slip doxy venom in your pumpkin juice at dinner and don't think I won't! I was about to tell you about why Draco is here…" Hermione stepped in front of hi somewhat and glanced away when she said his name.

"Draco? Draco! You're calling him bloody Draco now? Have you gone completely mental? You brought a Death Eater to my house? A Death Eater Hermione!" Ron shouted and Mrs. Weasley glared furiously at him.

"Ronald Weasley you lower your voice and listen to what Hermione has to say. And as for this being your house I think you forget who still cleans your clothes and cooks your meals!" When she said this Ron quieted and a angry looked crossed his face as he glared at Draco, "And you both lower your wands. Draco hasn't raised his to you has he?"

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley. Draco's here with me for many reasons…" Draco couldn't suppress a small smile as Hermione spoke and Ginny raised an eyebrow at this, "I was with him the last two months actually…"

"So he kidnapped you!" Ron shouted and Draco scoffed.

"Please Weasley don't be so thick. Maybe if you actually listened to her you'd get some answers." Ron pointed his wand again as Draco spoke and Hermione's face flushed pink as she made a quick decision. She grabbed Draco's hand and glared at Ron.

"Don't accuse Draco of kidnapping me! He's my boyfriend!" It seemed as she said these words, the room went completely silent. Ron lowered his wand, "I got trapped in the Malfoy Manor with him. Voldemort put a curse on his house to protect an eighth Horcrux he made as a failsafe in case we destroyed all of them. So Draco and I destroyed the Malfoy Manor with Fiendfyre and just escaped. He's saved my life twice so really you should be grateful!"

"Wait…go back to the part about him being your boyfriend. I can't seem to wrap my head around that." Harry said somewhat calmly but his eyes were murderous as he looked at Draco. Maybe if you didn't have that stupid scar you'd be able to think properly…Draco thought to himself. Residual hatred bubbled in him but he quickly silenced it.

"Look Potter…it's not like I forced her into anything. I've….had feelings for Hermione for some time now. In case you didn't notice I wasn't such a malicious git to you all our seventh year. A lot changed….I changed." Draco's last words were soft as he and Harry met eyes and Harry's brows furrowed as he looked at him.

"Changed? Like bloody hell you've changed. If you've changed than I'm the Minister of Magic." Ron said, his face red with anger as he spoke. Mrs. Weasley had stepped out of the room, hopping they'd be able to sort it out themselves.

"Then you must be Minister Weasley because I have. You forget I was on the wrong side when this whole thing ended. I made the wrong choice. I lost my best friends, my family, my life. If that doesn't change a bloke I dunno what does. And I love Hermione so you're going to have to accept that." Draco said firmly and Hermione looked at him with a slight awe, impressed by his courage and Ron went to respond but Ginny stopped him.

"He had changed…" Ginny said softly as she stepped forward and looked at him. The malice was gone from his face, the look she had come to know best. There was still a sadness, a cold shell, but his eyes were warmer, softer, Hermione had done that, "I can tell. He's telling the truth."

"And how can you know for sure?" Harry asked disbelievingly and Ginny gave him a sly smile.

"I'm a girl that's how."

"Ok ok…Ron, let me talk to you alone because clearly your mind doesn't work when you're near Draco." Hermione said as her and Draco met eyes before she went and grabbed Ron by the arm, leaving Draco, Harry, and Ginny alone in the kitchen.

"Potter…." Draco said as he walked closer to Harry, a sincerity in his gray eyes, "I know that I've been nothing but a complete bastard to you for the past eight years, and I'm not trying to atone for it or anything, but I wanna say thanks. You saved my life, and I owe you," He held out his hand for Harry to shake and very hesitantly he took it and shook it, "I don't want to join your little gang or anything, but I know now what side I should've been on when I had the chance. I should've taken Dumbledore up on his offer. But I was a coward."

"I know you paid for what you did Malfoy. I say some of what you had to do, through Voldemort's eyes…" As Harry said this the thought made both of them frown.

"I know if anyone's going to even somewhat accept this whole thing it'll be you. You've always been fair. And Merlin…she loves you guys. And she's terrified you'll hate her. But I love her, I honestly do. And I'm letting you know right now if I ever hurt her, in any way, you have full permission to put in in St. Mungos. She's all I've got now. She's my world." Draco said as he looked at Harry who nodded, understanding as he glanced at Ginny who smiled.

"I'm not forgiving you. For anything. But I will hold you to that promise."

"I don't expect forgiveness. I just hope we can tolerate each other enough to make her happy. I don't want her to lose her friends because of me." Draco said and Harry now held out his hand.

"Just like the first day we met isn't it?" Harry asked with a small smile.

"Yeah. Except now I'm making the right choice."

***********

"It's Malfoy Hermione! Malfoy! How could you possibly love him?" Ron yelled and instantly she knew she'd made a mistake in separating them from everyone else, she could feel tears well in her eyes.

"I can love whoever I want Ron! Just because it isn't you doesn't mean you have to be so impossible about it! Just please…if you care about me at all as a friend…just accept this! He's changed! Just give him a chance!" Hermione yelled back as she fought back her tears.

"I don't know if I can do that…he probably just wants into your knickers…." Ron said but didn't meet her gaze.

"Like you didn't? And that isn't what he wants because he already got it and he didn't leave did he?" When Hermione said this Ron's insides lit on fire and he felt as if he was dying, "I want to be with him. I chose him. And I'm not going back."

"So you've decided then?" Ron's voice softened as he moved closer to her, "I know you've made up your mind, but does it have to be him? And I know I wasn't good to you like I should've been. But after everything he put us through, you know for sure he's not just playing with you?"

"I've never been more certain of anything in my entire life Ron." Hermione said firmly and he nodded, unable to meet her gaze.

"Then I guess I can't argue with that can I?"

***********

After a long, awkward day, Hermione found herself once more in Draco's arms, all the pain and hurt of the day vanished. Ron had been acting like a child all day, Harry had seemed to accept it but barely, Ginny seemed civil enough, and the Weasley's were as nice as ever. But still they made it through, fire and ice, boyfriend and girlfriend, just as they always did. Now she cuddled close to his chest, missing their entrapment at the Manor desperately for all their alone time together, "We survived didn't we?" Draco said after a few moments of silence, him stroking her arm softly.

"Yeah I suppose we did. They'll come around, I know they will," Hermione said as she let out a yawn and closed her eyes, "I can't help but wish we were back in our own little world again you know? Too bad we burnt your house down, I could do with snuggling in your bed right now."

"I wouldn't worry about being stuck here too long. We won't be homeless much longer." A sly smirk spread across Draco's lips as Hermione sat up slightly to look at him, somewhat confused.

"You mean you won't be homeless much longer?" She asked questioningly and he shook his head, smiling.

"Oh no I mean we. I looked into housing a bit before we left the Manor. Once we got to your house I bought a house on the sly. And you're going to live there with me." Hermione looked dumbfounded and Draco laughed, stroking her cheek softly with his fingertips.

"Really? I can't just let you pay for it…." Hermione began to say but he pressed a finger to her lips.

"Can you stop worrying and let me love you properly already? We need a place to escape from the world, I need a home. Plus your mum loves the idea. It's not like the Manor but I think it will suit your fancy just fine. We can just live now right?" Draco grinned and Hermione looked into his eyes, her filled with tears.

"I love you, you know that?" She said as she placed her hands on his chest and he pulled her down against him.

"I know. And I love you. I plan to for the rest of my life. You've saved me Granger."

"Just shut up and kiss me Malfoy." She said as tears fell down her cheeks and he laughed as they pressed their lips together in a passionate, loving kiss, cementing the future in each other's arms.