It started with a card after Hermione kicked him out of her apartment that night. Sweet apologies written in elegant cursive for being so impulsive. Saying that her scent and Dean threw him over the edge.

Hermione didn't respond.

The thought of Draco Malfoy just made her head throb and chest flutter as her cheeks would turn a rosy pink. She had grown content with her life in the six or so years after Hogwarts hiding away from the world. Occasionally visiting her new nephew so Ginny could have a day to herself. She wasn't sure if she wanted to give that away. Going out with Dean for drinks every other week, taking muggle classes at the college down the road, then running her bookshop, is what made her comfortable.

Then the flowers started. Sometimes they would come from the muggle world to her apartment door. Other times they came from the alley, the flowers humming sweet tunes as they sat on her countertop. Regardless of the origin they always came with the same card with his name on it and an address directing her to the Malfoy law firm.

After a month she relented. Finding herself standing outside the massive glass building with his name plastered to the side right in the heart of wizarding London. Dressed in a yellow sundress held up by only two thick pieces of fabric tied around her neck.

She had told herself it was just a normal dress when she put it on. Choosing to ignore the fact she had bought it for a date with Dean. Hoping the dress may spark something when he caught a glance of her exposed back.

The shiver down her spine started before she even walked into the building. Only intensifying as she walked up to the secretary's desk.

"I'm here to see Draco Malfoy," she said, trying harder than she should have to sound confident.

"name?" the secretary said, not bothering to look up from her parchment. Hermione swallowed hard, mouth dry as she went to speak.

"An-" she paused, "Granger."

The secretary looked up from her papers, brow raised.

"Hermione Granger."

The witch nodded with a look of pure amazement. Quickly sifting through the days appointments before looking back up at her with a frown.

"I'm sorry, he seems to be booked up today."

the crackle of an intercom like device interrupted Hermione's response.

"Send her up," his voice said through the speaker, "and cancel all my appointments today," he finished, and it clicked off.

The secretary nodded then directed Hermione to the lift, pressing the button to the top floor of the building for her then stepping out.

She silently rehearsed her practiced speech in her head as it slowly pulled her upwards. Closing her eyes tightly, not noticing how the lift had already opened to the top floor.

"Granger," he said, voice smooth and silky. Snapping her out of her daze. He stood just outside the lift, waiting for her to exit. Trying hard not to linger too long at any one part of her body, placing a light hand on the small of her back as he took her to his office.

She gasped when she stepped inside. On one side sat a large oak desk, probably more expensive than anything she owned, with two comfortable cloth chairs for guests in front of it. over in the corner of the room she noticed a sitting area, one couch and an armchair along with a coffee table. Then another door to what she assumed to be a bathroom. She walked slowly to the windows, taking in the view of wizarding London. Astonished how it could look so different from above.

"I have conditions," She finally spoke, noticing his reflection in the mirror walking up behind her. he stopped, tilting his head to the side as she spun on her heel to face him.

"I'm not doing what we did at Hogwarts again," she said, shaking her head.

"Then what do you want?" he asked calmly.

She didn't expect that. For him to be so calm. In fact, she expected him to be wild and uncontrollable. Like they were in school. Which is why she had tucked her wand in her purse that morning last. But he merely stood in front of her, arms crossed, head tilted slightly as he stared her down with those piercing grey eyes.

"I-"she started then stopped, cheeks flushing red under his gaze, "I want to be normal."

He laughed, uncrossing his arms and running a hand through his silver locks. Looking at her in pure disbelief.

"I want you to ask me out, I want us to go on dates," she said angrily at his reaction, glaring at his now smirking face, "I want you to prove that you want me for me, not some stupid love potion," she sighed.

He sighed and walked over to his desk. Leaning back against it with a smirk.

"I spent the past six years seeing any memory charm expert I could find. And you want me to prove that I want you for you," he laughed again, chuckling as he brought his gaze back to her.

"What do you want Hermione a confession?" he asked. Now lifting himself from his desk and slowly walking towards her. she couldn't help but feel like some sort of prey as he backed her against the window. Placing a hand on either side of her head and leaning down to her ear.

"You think I didn't have a thing for you before being bit by the low life?" he hummed into her ear before lifting himself from it. leaving her face more flushed than before, something she didn't consider being possible.

"No Granger I've loved you since I was 12, and no Granger I won't let you continue to run away," he finished. Leaving her standing there in utter shock. If it wasn't for the glass against her back holding her up, she may have fainted right on the spot.

"You still haven't asked," she whispered, trying to change the subject.

He laughed before saying it. Thinking of how stupid it would sound considering their past.

"Will you, Hermione Granger, grace me, Draco Malfoy, with the honor of a date."

Birds chirping outside the window woke her. making her curse as her eyes shot up searching for a clock.

"DRACO MALFOY," she screamed from the king size bed as she attempted to remove her body from it.

"I told you I want you on bed rest," he said as he came into the room in nothing but green silk pajama bottoms. Holding a tray filled with various fruits and some toast.

"the book shop will explode without me!" she panicked as she tried to put on her socks.

It had been a full year since she had taken down the sign out front. Replacing it with her own name instead of the one she used to hide. it didn't seem to matter since her name had been no stranger to the prophet. Especially since she had decided to marry what at time felt like the most insufferable wizard on the face of the planet.

"I will take this ring and shove it down your throat," she threatened, giving up on being able to reach down and put on her socks.

"The healers said you need bed rest," Draco said calmly as he placed the tray on her nightstand. Then picked her up gently to place her pack under the covers.

"Don't worry I'll stay with you today," he purred, pulling her back to his chest. Gliding a hand over her swollen belly as he sniffed her neck. Sending shivers down her spin as he gently licked the mark on her shoulder.

Hermione sighed, finally giving into her husbands demands. Not able to resist him any longer. Ginny would be fine by herself today.

They stayed curled in the white sheets of their bed that day. not bothering to answer any owls or calls. Finding that the most comfortable thing in the world all this time was in fact being in each other's arms.

its done, its finally done.