"That feels nice." He mumbled with eyes closed. He could feel the heat from the fire as Draco's long slender fingers massaged his scalp slowly.

It was a quiet evening; Draco was reading and running his fingers through Harry's hair as his head lay in Draco's lap.

Draco smirked.

They both enjoyed their quiet time together and tonight was no different, or so they thought. Suddenly the flames in the fireplace flared and turned green. Out stepped a frazzled Hermione looking from side to side like a frightening animal and dusting the soot off her clothes.

She took one look at the serene couple on the couch, also known as her best friends and quickly put a finger to her lips and shush Draco who was staring at her like she was daft; Harry had yet to open his eyes.

As she passed by the flat owners and the couch on which they were laying, she whispered, "I'm not here."

Draco was positively stumped.

"What was that?" Harry asked just now opening his eyes.

"The tornado we know as…." Draco started but was interrupted by a lovely blonde woman, "…mother!" he said with a surprised fake-ish smile.

She had a determined expression and watched as Harry sat up with a sigh – the end of a quiet evening, he doubted Draco would be in the mood later and this made his mood plummet.

Narcissa Malfoy looked from one son to another (she had mentally adopted Harry as a son once her son had proven to her that Harry Potter was the one for him).

"I have to run to the loo mother, be back in a flash!" Draco said.

This left a squirming Harry Potter under Narcissa's piercing gaze. Harry had learned quickly enough that it was a farce that people generally thought that Lucius Malfoy was the intimidating Malfoy family member; he wasn't. Narcissa was far more calculating than any Malfoy wizard; Lord Malfoy didn't make a move without Lady Malfoy's approval and that's just how he liked it.

"Did you see her?" Narcissa asked.

"Who?" he asked knowing there was only one reason she would just drop by unannounced; either someone died or she was looking for 'Mione and she didn't look like someone died.

Harry also made a mental note to make his cowardly partner pay for his quick departure.

Narcissa huffed slightly and crossed her arms over her chest. Harry sunk into the couch and decided to go with honesty – she could always tell when people were lying. It was a creepy talent she had that had nothing to do with her being a witch, "No, I didn't see her."

She eyed him for a moment and then uncrossed her arms walking towards the back rooms of the flat.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief.

***meanwhile

Draco crossed the hallway, passed the bathroom and into the master suite, "Hermione?" he whispered. He knew she was in there he could sense her presence.

He opened the closet door and found her crouched in the corner with her head resting on her knees, "Really?" he said flatly.

Her head popped up, "shhhhh" she said angrily.

He sighed and found himself crawling on the floor to the corner where she was located, "What are you doing?" he whispered

She looked up again making them nose to nose, "They want me to stand still for another fitting! I can't take it anymore. You think magical seamstresses don't use needles? WRONG! They poke and prod, it hurts and I swear the witch they hired hates me!" she hissed quietly.

Draco started to chuckle.

"It's not funny. I've tasted more cake than I care to admit, if I never have another piece of cake in my lifetime, it will be too soon!"

"They just want this to be special for you and they don't want to step on your toes by taking over." He said trying to placate the witch hiding in his closet.

"I know. I don't want to offend them, I love them, they are wonderful, but I can't do it. I'm a basket case. You know I've been back to Citronelle, like 17 times! The receptionist doesn't even sneer at me anymore. They just let me in… it's disturbing!" she hissed again.

"'Mione…"

"No! I haven't even had sex with Marcus for weeks!..." she cried but was interrupted by Draco.

"That is way too much information…" he started but she interrupted, beginning from where she left off regardless of his discomfort.

"No, I've wanted to, but who has the energy? I don't. I miss him so much… I even miss his father… What kind of sorry excuse of a witch does that make me?" she asked and he smirked.

It was then that he noticed the tears and blotchy red face. He knew there were no words to comfort her, she just needed some TLC and so he sat back against the wall and opened his arms to her. She crawled on his lap and put her head on his shoulder.

He knew she was just letting the tears fall as he held her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

After a few seconds, "Why are you always crying in my lap?" he asked amused.

She sniffed, "because I love you. You're the best, no one compares to you… really. Will you walk me down the aisle?" she asked in a small voice.

Now he felt tears of his own at her sentiment that she loved him and her question, "It would be my honor." He replied his voice heavy with emotion.

His brows furrowed for a second, "Are you going to ask Harry too?"

She pulled away from him to look in his face, all she saw there was curiosity, "No. just you." she chirped and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Draco?" a feminine voice from the hallway called.

They both stiffened, "Oh shit." Hermione said

She crawled off his lap and out of the closet, with Draco at her heels. They both heard the click clack of her heeled shoes come closer to the door and right as they stopped Hermione tore off her ear ring and tossed it five feet away.

Narcissa walked in to both Hermione and Draco on their hands and knees feeling around the floor, "Oh here it is!" Hermione said holding up an ear ring, "thanks Draco!" she said standing up.

He stood as well and avoided eye contact with his mother who already knew what was going on, "uh…you're welcome?" he said.

"Draco won't you give us a moment?" Narcissa asked.

He cut his eyes to Hermione and when she nodded he left.

"I know you didn't come over here to find an earring, young lady, what's going on?"

Hermione was fighting the burning sensation behind her eyes, "I don't know. I feel… like crying, I'm all stressed out, and yesterday I couldn't get out of bed I was so tired." She whined plopping down on the large bed.

"I miss Marcus." She said quietly head bent, "I'm so sorry. I really am so grateful to you ladies and love everything about the wedding; I don't know what's wrong with me… I mean aside from that dreadful seamstress woman!"

Narcissa snorted, "Yes she is rather clumsy."

Hermione looked at her, "clumsy?" she asked flatly, but Narcissa chose to ignore her for the moment.

Naricssa sighed, "You have just one week, Hermione, you'll make it. Now come with me."

As Narcissa led Hermione out to the front room by pulling her hand; Hermione followed with shock and disbelief, "that's it?" she asked incredulously, "That's your pep talk?"

Narcissa shook her head, "for facing down the dark lord and his minions, you whine a lot!" she said laughing at her charges look of complete astonishment.

The last thing Hermione saw was Draco and Harry wave sheepishly at her before she floo'd away with her captor/ wedding planner.

*** That night.

"Hey sweet girl." He whispered in her ear while he tucked in beside her.

She smiled, "Hi, you're home early. I'm so glad." She said sleepily. She turned in his arms to face him and lay her head on his chest.

He rubbed her back soothingly and kissed her temple, "I have to leave tomorrow again."

She nodded and squeezed him tightly.

He moved the hair back from her face and looked down when he noticed it was wet with her tears. He moved her face so that she was looking at him, but she shook her head quickly letting him know she didn't want to talk right now; she pressed her lips to his and let the tears keep coming.

He understood and opened his mouth to hers. Her tongue delved into his mouth and he moved his lips against hers to softly capture it; she moaned when he sucked it gently.

"I need you Marcus, right now." She urged pulling him on top of her and spreading her legs.

He didn't waste any time kicking off his pajama bottoms and positioning himself between her legs.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and didn't stop kissing him, only gasped when he plunged into her heat.

He moaned and kissed a trail to her neck, "You feel like heaven on earth to me, baby girl."

She was meeting his thrusts, "Harder, Marcus, harder." She commanded.

He complied moving faster and pounding into her. He pinned one of her hips down as his thrusts became erratic and disjointed, "Oh Yess Marcus… yes yes yes" she said and crashed her lips upon his as she climaxed.

He didn't last through her inner walls pulsing tightly around him and came spilling himself inside of her, "My Hermione…" he sighed and moved to lay next to her, "No." she said.

"I'll crush you, sweet girl." He said

She shook her head, "No, I like the way it feels when your body covers mine."

He sighed, "Elbows then." He said and she nodded, but still wouldn't let him see her face.

He was balanced on his elbows and they were still connected, he decided he liked this feeling.

Silently, she kissed his chest and his arms and her fingers were massaging his head. When she moved to reach his lips, her inner walls clenched slightly and her hips lifted.

He moaned quietly and she circled her hips again. She could feel him starting to stretch her, his body reacting to hers, "'Mione." He whispered closing his eyes, "What are you doing to me?" he asked – it was more of a rhetorical question than it was for her to answer, either way she didn't speak.

He was fully erect now, she sighed and moved one of her knees up to give him more room.

"I want to feel you Marcus… hard." She said with an element of gravel to her voice.

She wanted it rough; she wanted to feel his passion for her.

He looked at her for a split second and flipped her over…

He spent the rest of the night giving her everything she wanted; when morning light came he pulled her close, "we can elope if you want." He said knowing she was stressed out from all the wedding details. (Draco, Narcissa and Elizabeth had owled him about it – Hermione never did.)

She snorted into his neck, "No. I'm ok." She said softly.

"Why didn't you owl me?" he asked

She shrugged, "seemed like a silly thing to owl about. I didn't want to distract nor bother you on your tour." She said, "I'm glad you came though. Thank you."

He looked at her for a moment, "my pleasure… really." He said making her laugh, "I want to know next time." He said in all seriousness and she nodded slightly ashamed.

"Father wants to have lunch with you, so take the day and let him take you shopping or whatever." He said not sure how she felt about shopping after all this wedding business.

She giggled and nodded.

They made love one more time before Marcus had to leave, "The next time you see me will be at our wedding. I'll be the one in white." she teased.

He looked at her with a hungry expression, "I'll remember." He said and shut the door.

Cranfield owled her a minute later for her to meet him at the café at 10 am. she still had two hours so she donned her running gear and went for a run.

"Hermione dear, I'm glad you came." He said.

"Thanks for inviting me." she said.

"Have you had breakfast?" he asked.

She shook her head, "No, I didn't feel well, why don't we plan for lunch after shopping? What are we shopping for anyway?" she asked.

He looked at her for a moment and took in her pale skin and sluggish movement, "We're shopping for me; I need a suit… a muggle suit." He looked for her reaction sideways

She turned her head sharply and squealed, "Really? Ok let's go!"

She retired that night pleasantly sore and happily tired from a lovely day of suit shopping.

***~*** the wedding.

She made her way to the gardens, everything was beautiful. The ladies out did themselves for this; she had got them each something for taking the time to help her with the wedding and for just being wonderful ladies.

She stood in front of the mirror staring at her reflection waiting to wake up from this dream. She jumped in surprised when Pansy and Ginny walked in looking stunning, "Are you ok?" Pansy asked.

Hermione nodded willing herself not to cry … again.

"Marcus looks really handsome." Ginny commented and Hermione's eyes darted to her friends, Ginny nodded as confirmation of her words.

"Who's here?" Hermione asked.

Both women snickered, "Everyone." They said together.

Harry and Ron entered and smiled at the witch's, "Mind if we have a word?" Harry asked Pansy and Ginny.

They both shook their heads and left the room quietly, "You look beautiful, 'Mione." Ron said as the two wizards approached the witch who kept them alive for years.

She smiled, but was unable to speak just yet so she nodded her thanks at his compliment.

The boys didn't know what to say so they just looked at her and she them. She swallowed the lump in her throat and walked into their arms, the three hugged, "I love you guys." She said and they nodded not able to speak.

Harry blew her a kiss before he left.

She heard the music and was ushered out the door by her bridesmaids, she stood unseen and watched them walk down the aisle before her.

Millicent and Greg, Hermione thought they both looked so happy. She knew they were thinking about their upcoming nuptials as Greg had proposed last month.

Ginny and Harry, Luna and Blaise, Pansy and Adrian (best man and matron of honor); it was her turn.

She turned to see Draco walk up to the arch and hold his hand out to her. He smiled and looked at her with love in his eyes, she took his hand and as he tucked it into the crook of his elbow he smiled, "ready?" he asked quietly the deep timber in his voice reassuring her.

She nodded and together started down the aisle.

Before she knew it Draco had 'given her away' to Marcus and he was holding her small hand in his larger one.

The ceremony went on as the marriage bonding wizard recited the ancient spell to unite the two magical beings.

"Miss Granger you have your vows?"

"I do." She said.

"Please take Mr. Flints left hand in both of yours and begin."

She took a deep breath and began. As the words were spoken ribbons of magic bound her to him in colors of white (Purity), blue (loyalty), and pink (true love).

"I am truly blessed to have found the truest of love with you, and today, I commit my life to yours. I pledge to love you for all time, and to stay faithful and true to you. I will comfort you in your pain and encourage you with your dreams. As our journey through life begins today, I promise to you that I will forever be by your side and I will be ready to face everything the world has to offer us." She said and pulled him down to speak only to him.

He wasn't sure he was going to be capable of speaking his vows his emotion so thick, especially after hers, but what confused him was that she wanted to have a conversation… now?

He bent down any way, "I'm pregnant." She whispered and let him stand straight again.

He was dumbstruck.

"Mr. Flint your vows?" the wizard asked.

Marcus didn't respond and Hermione smirked, of course the girls all knew as well as the Ladies, so they were giggling to themselves as well, Cranfield looked at Elizabeth and gave her a curious expression.

She smiled and shook her head as if to say, not-going-to-tell-you.

He made a face and hoped Marcus would snap out of it soon.

The wizard cleared his throat and the giggles were a little louder, "Mr. Flint your vows." He said louder this time.

Marcus was looking at Hermione with an amazed expression and it wasn't until she jerked his hand that it jolted him out of his reverie, "vows, yes! I have them." He said triumphantly.

The wizard, mildly flustered, resumed, "Take her left hand in both of yours and begin."

"Sweet girl, I want to be your lover, your companion and your best friend for the rest of my life. I promise to love and cherish you, to keep you close and with faithfulness, to be your prop and helpmate in times of need, to make you laugh and to hold you when you cry, to hold you in the highest respect and honor as you so deserve for the rest of my life." He finished.

The wizard nodded approvingly at Marcus' vows, "Marcus. Hermione. You are now bound by magic, love and integrity to be true to each other. Ladies and Gentlemen, May I introduce Lord and Lady Flint. Marcus you may now kiss your bride."

Marcus looked at Hermione and slowly pulled her close to him, he picked her up quickly making her giggle and kissed her so softly she thought she would faint from the promise it held.

He touched his forehead to hers, "we're going to have a baby?" he asked again just to be sure.

She nodded and smiled, "Two." She said.

He raised his eyebrows and smiled. Turning to the guests he made the announcement, "We're pregnant with twins!"

Clapping and laughter surrounded the couple as they made their way down the aisle.

***~*** a spark

Cranfield was thrilled he was going to be a grandfather, he couldn't wait. He loved Hermione and was glad she would be their mother.

Just then he looked up to find a lovely young witch Hermione invited watching him.

She smiled when he met her eyes and he winked back. He felt a spark when she smiled at him… something he hadn't felt in quite some time.

Epilogue

11 years later Crystia and Cranfield Flint were boarding the train to Hogwarts for the first time.

They had dark hair and dark eyes with freckles. Fortunately, the twins had not inherited their mothers' hair and had straight black hair; though Crystia's face was the spitting image of her mother.

Marcus and a very pregnant Hermione stood on the platform waving at their twins and blowing kisses. As the train left Hermione hissed, "Marcus, it's time." She bit out.

He smiled and picked her up like he often did, because he just loved the feel of her in his arms, but sometimes it actually did serve a purpose. Like now, his wife was in labor for the second time (they had been unable to get pregnant earlier than this.)

He carried her to the apparition point and kissed her softly, "I love you." he said before they apperated to St. Mungo's to welcome Mateo Flint into the world, a second son; Marcus couldn't be happier.

The end. I hope you enjoyed the story.