Before All Else

VII

The Burrow was in full swing. The Weasley men were setting up a large white tent. Ginny and Molly were setting tables and chairs. Hermione was nowhere to be seen and because they were all distracted, Draco took the chance to slip inside and up the stairs to the room she had been in last time he were here.

One quick tap on the door and a short second later the door swung open and Hermione had pulled Draco inside by the sleeve of his knitted jumper.

She didn't speak, wrapping him in a tight hug around his waist instead. Her face buried in his chest, "I'm so glad you made came." She whispered.

"I'm not staying. I just came to get Molly's' gift and leave. I won't sit through watching you marry another man." His voice firm. Much like the old Draco.

A sly smile formed on Hermione's' lips, "I wouldn't expect you to." She turned and picked up a small box, handing it to Draco. "Molly, she found out about your circumstance and has put together some of Percy's' old clothes. There's also some books in there, from me. And a key." Hermione explains, watching him sift through the contents of the box, "The key is to my parents house. I've paid off the Mortgage not long after the Battle at Hogwarts. They don't live there, and Ron refuses to live away from his family so it's vacant. It's yours. "

Before Draco could protest a knock on the door sounds and Draco is taking cover behind a table and armchair.

Ginny and Molly pop their heads in and smile at Hermione, "You ready?"

Hermione nods, "Almost. I'll meet you outside." She smiles, a subtle wink to Molly who smiles knowingly, glancing at the tuft of blonde hair poking out above the furniture.

The two women depart, and Draco comes out of his hiding place.

He forces a smile at Hermione, "Thank you for everything. I should be leaving though. I hope your life is Everything you thought it would be." He kisses her lips softly, savoring her scent and the way she tastes of fruit and the delicious way her lips mold perfectly with his, "I love you. I'll always love you. I'll always chose you Mione." He whispers into her mouth before pulling away.

Hermione pulls him into a hug, "Meet me by the back door." She whispers, kisses his temple and leaves the room.

Draco waits five minutes before going to the back door.

Outside the small choir has begun singing and Ginny has made her way down the small aisle to stand in front of the group. Hermione is following behind, her heart racing. She wants to run. But a force is pulling her down the rose petal aisle. The few faces she can make out smile at her, a couple wiping away tears. Her focus turns back to Ron, standing at the end of the aisle beside Harry. They both wore dress robes. Ron smiling at Hermione and fidgeting with his sleeve.

She stood in front of him, the music stopping and her airways constricting, She felt a pain in her chest and her flowers fell to the ground.

"I- I can't do this." She whispers, her eyes wide. "I'm sorry Ron. I can't. It's not fair on you or myself." She spoke, hushed so only he could hear.

Turning to address the small room she takes a deep breath, "I'm sorry everyone, but there won't be a wedding today." She stepped down to begin her walk back to the house to where Draco was waiting.

A hand grabbed roughly at the top of her arm, "Like fuck there won't be, I have been patient with you Hermione. I waited for you to get through your little crush on that ferret, I accepted that you don't love me. and I've provided you a nice home. But I will not let you humiliate me in front of our friends and family." Ron hissed, his warm breath on her face making her stomach churn.

Another voice spoke up, "Let her go mate. You're the one embarrassing yourself. Let her go."

Ron turned to the small group his eyes full of rage, then he looked back at Hermione, he released his grip on her arm, "Sorry.Go. Be happy." He whispered, stepping in to give her a small kiss on the cheek.

Hermione felt her eyes prick with tears at his gesture, this was the Ron she knew. Sweet, forgiving, warm. She almost wanted to stay, marry him and forgive him for his behaviors but another part of her, the part of her the longed for the feeling of fire in her belly and lived for the dangerous feeling she always got at the sound of his name wanted her to run.Run and never look back. She agreed with that part of her, and her feet moved quickly, not looking back at anyone, knowing if she did she would stay.Ron has been good to her, she has not been good to him. This was his chance as much as it was hers to finally be happy. Hermione knew Ron would find someone capable of loving him the way he was capable of loving them. He was settling for Hermione and she was settling for him.

Her feet carried her to the back door where Draco was leaning casually against the wall. He pushed off with his foot when he saw her approaching.

"Do you still have that box?" She asked, catching her breath, Draco nods.

"Hermione pulls out her wand and grabs Draco's arm, before apparating them both to her childhood, home.

It's cozy, pictures of a middle aged couple line the walls and shelves, gaps in them and some even with blank pictures.

"My parents" Hermione explains, "Anyway, this is home." She smiles, fondly looking around the room.

Draco drinks it in, "It looks homely." He comments.

Hermione smiles, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, "I'm sure it'll be better once we fill it with our own memories."

Draco raises and eyebrow at her words. "You mean you're staying?"

Hermione nods, her chin digging into his back and she kisses his shoulder blade. "For as long as you'll have me."

Draco turns around, swooping her up in one quick motion and spins her around. Hermione squeals a smile spread wide across her face.

Draco wraps her legs around his waist, his hands sitting below her bottom and his lips crash into hers, they kiss hungrily, all tongue and smiles. Sloppy but passionate.

Neither one separating for air as they race to undress the other, fumbling over zips and buttons, giggling at each others clumsiness.

Draco trailed wet kisses down Hermione's long neck and across her collarbone. He rediscovered the valley between her breast and the way her nipples danced in him mouth.

She explored the familiar land of his chest and stomach. The pair not bothering with foreplay today. They were hungry.

Draco lined himself up at her entrance; They now lay on the living room floor. A slow thrust and he was buried deep inside her again. She felt tight around him, familiar and warm. He savored the feeling for a long while before he moved again. his lips attached to hers and the pair moved in a slow paces, savoring the feeling of the other. Both wishing it would last forever, but it had been a year since Draco had laid with a women, he knew he wouldn't last long. He tried his best to make Hermione feel good too, bringing his hand down between them to run his thumb across the nub of her clitoris. She moans at his touch, pressing herself into his fingers as he continues his slow thrusts and passionate assault of her lips and clitoris.

His pleasure spills over in no time, leaving a blush on his cheeks, she didn't get off. "Sorry" HE whispers and Hermione smiles at him.

"It's okay Drake." And it was. She didn't need to have an orgasm to be happy right now, just knowing he was inside her and that they were here, together was enough, any more then that would have just been a bonus. But she loves this man and he loves her and that was all that matters.

Draco propped himself up, kissing her lips, "Round 2 will be better Miss Granger I promise"

Hermione giggles, "No rush. We have the rest of our lives"

Draco's heart lunges at the thought and he pulls her close. Any period of time with her will never be enough. But a lifetime sounds satisfying enough.