Dux et Supplex

IMPORTANT NOTE:

*sigh* I've received a message from the superiors that the review responses are too long, so I've erased them. Last thing I want is this to be deleted. From now on I'm going to carefully select which reviews to respond to. For those who give me a simple thumbs up, I'll give a collective thank you. For reviewers with questions and critiques, I'll give a response. ^.^ Thanks for listening!

Chapter 2

"Alright. This place is new."

"New!?"

"Yup. Bought it yesterday. Cool, huh?"

Hermione stared at him like he'd lost his mind.

"Harry, you can't invite me to live with you in a place you just bought! What will people think of you? Especially with what's been written about me and..."

"I don't give a damn what people think, and you should know that. My name's always plastered on the newspapers anyway. Let them think what they want."

"Harry, I still get hate mail from Ron's fans. This isn't just bad press."

"Hate mail? Is that the best they can do? Wag their fingers in your face from afar? I know their words must hurt you terribly and I'm not trying to make light of it on your behalf, but I'm used to it by now, 'Mione. Hate mail's become something only cowards do. They don't want to get in the-boy-who-lived's face or their too embarrassed to actually voice their stupid little opinions so they threaten me from the safety of their own houses with a stupid red envelope."

"As long as you're sure..."

"I'm positive. I'm not leaving you in that cramped house. You shouldn't have been living there in the first place. You should've been living with the Weasleys, but considering the small space, you couldn't. I guess it's for the best, though. You know...considering. If it makes you feel better, I'm warding the house today. I'll add a couple extra to de-rail owls carrying dangerous letters."

"Can you do that?"

"You're not actually warding off the letters. You're warding off the intent of the letters. Words have intent and therefore, letters that have harsh words and dangerous spells have intent. With spells, it's easier. With words, it isn't. A couple may slip through, but howlers, at the least, won't."

"I see. Thank you, Harry."

"Don't worry about it.

"Does it still hurt? I mean...Ron, that is. Does his leaving still hurt?"

Hermione sighed. She'd made herself comfortable on the floor, holding a cup of tea. Now, she stared into it as if it would give her some answers. Unfortunately, it wasn't Trelawney's alphabet soup.

"No. Not particularly. I've been with him for seven years, so it's sad to lose a friend, but I never really loved him, I suppose. It's probably a good thing he left. He could've never been what I needed him to be. He was obedient when I needed him to be, because he respected my opinions; believed me to be the smarter and better one. He whined about my intelligence and rolled his eyes, but he kept quiet when it counted."

"I guess so."

"My mother would have been pleased. "He knows his place and a good woman when he sees it," she would've said. It's why I chose him and why I can't hate him. I was using him to re-inforce my mask and please my mother, so I figure his vengeance is justified. I just wish he would've chosen a less public way of punishing me."

"Doesn't stop me from thinking he's a bastard, but I won't go after him. If he comes to me, though, all bets are off and Molly will be burying an empty casket."

A coldness seeped into his voice, and Hermione was forced to turn and hide her blush.

"Are you okay? I won't hurt him if you don't want me to. I mean..."

When she gained her emotions under control, she turned around and smirked a little.

"One must never promise what one can never do. I saw that look on your face. I don't think even the Gods could stop you if he showed up." This, of course, caused a new wae of blushing to spring up on her face. Was she flirting? She has to admit that she's flattered by Harry's chivalry. The fact that he's a dominant doesn't hurt either. The thought of propositioning him has crossed her mind more than once, but she can't imagine him as a dominant outside these situations. Besides, she has no idea how a submissive goes about showing a dominant their interest. She has no idea how to go about showing anyone her interest. She sort of just...waited with Ron. She doesn't want to wait again. She'll have to do more research. She never really bothered finding out the mechanics of beginning a relationship, since she thought she'd always be under her mother's thumb.

"Harry...?"

"Yeah?" By this time Harry'd gotten up to begin lunch, which is a good thing since Hermione has no idea how to cook.

"2 questions."

"Only 2? Thank heavens!"

Hermione gave him a little shove for that one. "Yes, wise-arse. Only 2. 1) Do you have any books on how a relationship actually begins between a dominant and a submissive? 2) Can you teach me how to cook?"

Harry stared at Hermione a moment. "1) I don't. I'm more of a hands-on learner. Sure I read up a few things, but only the basics; stuff you sound like you already know. 2) Why do you want to learn how to cook?"

"Well aside from the usefulness of it, what if I'm with a dominant, and he expects me to cook all his meals, as the submissive?" Hermione was starting to panic. "What then? And cleaning! I haven't cleaned a day in my life! My father always did that, and I just kind of watched as my mother expected! I'll be useless!" Harry could see Hermione was near tears, and couldn't help laughing.

"Alright. 2 things. 1) Don't get your knickers in a bunched up in a twist, alright? Your dominant isn't going to consider you useless. Not all dominants expect to be waited on hand and foot by their submissive. It depends on the balance of the relationship. If you have a dominant who loves to be worshipped by his submissive at all times in all circumstances, then yes...He probably will expect you to provide a clean house and a full table. However, some dominants simply don't care if their submissive can perform house duties. Some submissives are there to look pretty and probably won't ever lift a finger. Some are there for the company; the...the bond. I don't know how to describe it. When a dominant takes a submissive, it's with the knowledge that the submissive is what they need, and they are what the submissive needs. It's one of the first things I learned. My job as a dominant is not to subject a submissive to my needs and desires. I am not a God to be worshipped. The relationship is give and take. The submission for some, is the knowledge that the submissive is dependent on the dominant for happiness and pleasure. Fulfilling those needs and seeing the results, in turn gives the dominant happiness and pleasure. Do you know about subspace?"

"I've read the term somewhere, but it wasn't explained very well."

"Well...Subspace isn't only a feeling, it's a state of mind for submissives. Kind of like nirvana. It's when you transcend the confines of your mind and body to reach a level of joy. Your whole body; your mind is empty, your body is at peace, and you're filled with the knowledge that you're exactly where you belong. You've transcended your body and experienced a little piece of heaven. At least, that's how one of my teachers described it."

"That sounds beautiful. What does a submissive look like in that state?"

"I don't know personally, but I've heard it looks like they're high on drugs," Harry intoned drily. His tone was warm, however, when he stated, "It is beautiful, and it's a sort of pride for dominants to send their submissives into that state. It's like a pat on the back; round of applause or something."

"I understand."

"Good. Now, do you still want to learn how to cook?"

"Yes, I believe it will be useful, but what was the second thing?"

"Oh! I just couldn't wait till the Hogwarts elves heard about the real Hermione Granger."

"Harry, you wouldn't!"

"You sure? I imagine the ones you freed will be outraged, but those who escaped will probably be laughing their heads off. I've never seen a smug house elf."

"Do I really sound like a house elf?"

"Honestly?" Harry laughed. "Kind of, when you were panicking about being useless to your dominant. Did you just say the complete opposite of whatever you were thinking when you were in Hogwarts?"

Hermione blushed. "It was the easiest way of going about it."

"Merlin!"

"Well...! Not exactly! I mean..." Hermione let out a gusty sigh. "I didn't lie about everything. Not exactly, anyway. I simply...distorted quite a few things. I do consider house elves underappreciated. I didn't really believe they were brainwashed, however. That was me taking it overboard. In terms of bossiness...I am a little high and mighty in my ideals, but I'm not as in your face as I pretended to be. I also am independent. I cannot be a submissive who stays home and serves as furniture. I do believe in women working and Ron's mother still makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps it's a result of my mother's training, but it's one I agree with. She bustles around cleaning and cooking and hovering and mothering. Yes. Being a housewife is truly a respectable job; one women should be paid for in millions, but one has to do something else with one's time. Write a book...Start a hobby that benefits solely you...I don't know. Something. Get a job! Your life cannot consist solely of your children and your husband. What about your personal wants and needs? Does a woman give them up totally when she gets pregnant?"

"At least the general outline of your character was real. That's comforting," he stated, chuckling behind a cup of tea.

Hermione huffed, not missing the chuckle for a minute. "Well you can't lie about everything and stay sane. I wouldn't have lasted 7 whole years."

----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------

Three days later, Harry decided teaching Hermione Granger how to cook was a job reserved for only the most skilled and patient of chefs (i.e. Harry when he's had a morning cup of coffee). Fortunately, she managed to get somewhere after reading a dictionary of cooking terms.

"I think I can actually let you make breakfast today."

Harry could see that beneath Hermione's grin of excitement, the wheels were churning about what to make for breakfast.

"It's your first, so don't try anything too complicated. I'm pretty simple, so make whatever you'll like."

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I promise you won't be disappointed!"

Harry sighed and winced when her hug got a bit too strong. "Before you try to impress me, just make sure you don't burn down my kitchen."

Hermione pouted and glared. "You're so mean! Don't you have any faith in me? I'll show you how capable a chef I am!"

Harry just smiled. "Whatever you say, Chef Granger. I'll be in the living room if you need anything."

Harry left Hermione in the kitchen to seeth and cook in peace.

------------------------------------------------
1 hour later
------------------------------------------------

After an hour of sweat and labor, Hermione finished breakfast.

"Aren't you done yet? I'm starving here!"

Hermione ground her teeth against her anger. The man had been calling out to her for the past half-hour, wanting to know when she would finally finish breakfast. She regretted not just slapping some eggs and bacon on a plate and being done with it.

"Yes, Harry," she said in a sickly sweet voice. "Just finished..."

With a forced calmness, Hermione placed everything on the tray and walked it to the breakfast table where Harry sat reading a novel.

"Oh! Finally, finished?"

"Yes, Harry," said the sickly sweet voice. "Did you not hear me before?"

Harry who sat at the table knew exactly how annoying he was being. He'd done it on purpose, after all. All just to see that lovely twitch her eyebrows made when annoyed. Not to mention the way her cheeks flushed beautifully when frustrated.

"Now now, Hermione. There's no need to be so difficult."

"Difficult!?" Hermione was breathless with indignation.

"You wouldn't want to lose the reward before the taste-testing."

"R-Reward?" Harry'd mentioned nothing of a reward.

"Reward. I've set up a meeting with someone I thought you would like to meet. Of course, if you don't at least get a E for your efforts, I'll be forced to call and cancel."

Harry did not need to look up and see her expression, but he did. Her eyes were practically on fire.

"You didn't say anything! I'm not prepared!"

"Prepared? Is Hermione Jane Granger telling me that she didn't put her best foot forward?"

Hermione bit her lip in consternation. She wasn't saying that exactly. Just..."I would've liked to have been informed of this, Harry."

"Well it was a last minute decision. I made the arrangement just fifteen minutes ago. I...I suppose I could give you a re-do if you think your first attempt isn't good enough..."

Not good enough? Hermione had never heard more infuriating words in her life! And an E!?

"No! That's not necessary, Harry. I'm...I'm quite sure my first attempt will be more than adequate."

"An "E," Hermione. Remember."

Hermione's never received less than an O for anything in her life! The thought that she's going to get a mere Exceeds Expectations makes her want to drill his head through the table.

Harry eagerly soaked in her anger. She had that look in her eyes. The one that said she wanted nothing more than to drill his head through the table. It was a cold look, but one filled with passion nonetheless.

"If you're sure, then."

Harry lifted the cover off the first tray. On it were four golden brown Cranberry-Orange Pancakes with a hand-made Chocolate Sauce and strawberries coating the top. It looked delicious. Harry worked to keep a neutral face. Slowly, he picked up his fork and knife and cut into the stack. The knife did not pause. The pancakes were warm, and fluffy. When he put them in his mouth, they were not sticky or chewy, but smooth and soft. The Chocolate Sauce which she'd made herself was creamy and delicious, and the strawberries she purchased were sweet. On the whole, definitely "O" worthy.

Harry, however, said not a word; leaving Hermione to shuffle in anxiety. He took his one bite and moved on to the second of the three trays. This one unveiled a fruit salad made of fresh pineapples, strawberries, kiwi fruit, banas, oranges, seeldess grapes, and blueberries. From what he could tell, the salad was refrigerated.

"How long did this take?"

"I made it in the middle of the night. I was hungry. It wasn't till the end I realized the recipe needed to be chilled for three to four hours."

Hermione staunchly ignored Harry's glare. She'd been expressly forbidden from cooking anything on her own. It was a huge risk showing Harry the finished product.

After making his displeasure known, Harry tasted the fruit salad. The sauce was thick and smooth while the fruits were sweet. The third platter, was a cup of freshly made juice.

It was nothing Harry taught her. He kept his face neutral, however, while asking her what she'd blended.

"One night, I couldn't sleep and I went through one of your books on healthy homemade drinks and found this one. It's meant to cool down forces of frustration; bringing peace and vitality to your body. I don't know if it's true, but it certainly tastes refreshing. It has one beet, one sweet potatoe, 2 apples, 1 lemon, 1 tomato, a thin slice of Spanish onion, 1 garlic clove, and half a can of frozen apple concentrate. Please enjoy."

Hermione smirked. Harry just raised an eyebrow in curiousity. He took a sip of the drink. The drink, which was more of a slushy than anything else, sent a cool refreshing burst to his tastebuds. The lemon was strong within it, and the beet was something he could taste in the background. Beets was the one vegetable Harry hated, yet it was delightful in the drink.

"Beets," Harry deadpanned.

Hermione's smile was smug. "Beet. Singular, not plural."

Harry rolled his eyes. The witch! Purposely, Harry prolonged his response. Truthfully, he made his decision long ago when he first tasted the pancakes. He couldn't give her anything less than an O. She put a lot of effort into proving herself. Just to irritate her, he pretended to take a few more deliberating bites.

The tick slowly became more and more pronounced.

"Hmm...Acceptable."

"A-Acceptable?"

"Yes. I give you..." Hermione interrupted.

"How can it be just acceptable? I-I put everything into that meal!"

Hermione was going on a first class rampage; working herself into a tizzy over a grade he hadn't even mentioned. Harry put palm to chin and refused to interrupt. Why should he when he'd feared that this side of her had been fake all along? Apparently, his worries were for nothing. When she'd quieted and looked ready to cry, Harry stepped in.

"Are you done?"

"I'm sorry," she cried aloud. Harry sighed in bemusement at the adorable creature. Then again, he could appreciate some of the new discoveries.

"If you'd waited before panicking...You would've heard me say congratulations."

"Congratulations?" Amber eyes narrowed.

"The brilliant Hermione Granger can add another O to her list."

The witch's victory dance consisted of wild kicks and frequent wiggling.

-----------------------------------
3 Hours Later
-----------------------------------

"So where are we going?"

Harry made sure Hermione'd taken everything she would need or want. He'd told her nothing about where they were going. Just that they would quite possibly be gone for at least a month.

"Quite possibly?"

"Yes. I'm not sure if the meeting will go well or not, but if it does, the person would like to start immediately."

When she looked in Harry's trunk to get some idea, she noticed he packed very little in terms of clothing. The owner's explanation for this was vague at best and dubious at worst. "You shouldn't use mine as an example. I already know what's to be expected of me when I get there. You, however, don't. Don't bring anything too warm, though. The climate isn't too different from ours, but it gets quite humid around this time."

So Hermione packed everything she could think of; eternally grateful she'd invested in that expensive 10 compartment bottomless trunk with a lightening charm built into the wood her parents had insisted upon.

They weren't even flooing, but using a long-range portkey used only when leaving the country.

"Harry...How far are we travelling?"

The wizard simply grinned in the face of her anxieties. "Dear dear Hermione. If I told you that, it'd ruin the surprise."

"Harry James Potter! You tell me..." The rest of her demand was lost in her screams.

"Kitezawa Estate"

---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
Ending Note:

My lovely readers, thank you so much for all the reviews! I apologize for taking so long. Things have been a little busy. I just hope they don't get even busier. I'll be making shorter chapters every two weeks from now on, so please look out for them. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! ^^