LIFETIME MATE

Chapter Twenty-Four


Hermione sat in the library, reading and occasionally talking to some of the students. The students helped her put some of her troubles in the back of her thoughts for awhile, especially some seventh years, who flirted openly with her. She was friendly enough, but kindly turned their ‘offers’ down.

She was getting involved in a book when she sensed someone sitting beside her. She started in surprise. “Albus. How long have you been sitting there?”

He smiled. “Not long. Good book?”

“Yes. Fascinating.” She closed the book, and nervously rubbed her hands on her jeans. “Um, Albus, I’d like to apologize for yesterday’s outburst. I didn’t realize I had an audience.”

Albus smiled, his eyes twinkling. “That’s quite all right Hermione. You have quite the right hook there.” He smirked.

Hermione smiled and looked to her hand, which was a bit swollen and bruised. “Yes, well...I’m not sorry I did it. My first thought was a different target, but I thought he might need those in the future.”

He chuckled in response. “I suppose he might.”

“Was there something you needed Albus?”

“Yes. I am looking for a room in the school for a fitness area. I think I may have found one, but would like your opinion, as I know you like to keep fit yourself.”

“Sure. Do you want me to look at it now?”

“Why not.” He got up, followed by Hermione. They walked down to the main level of the castle to stop at a large double set of wooden doors. Albus opened them and motioned for her to lead the way, with him closing the door behind him. “Here we are Hermione.” Albus said.

Hermione looked around the room, but stopped when she noticed Draco sitting on a window sill and Severus standing not too far away. She looked to Albus with a question in her eyes.

“I am sorry Hermione, I did deceive you in bringing you here....in a way. Eventually I will be making this into a fitness room that we discussed....but for now it will be a room for you and Draco to settle some things between you.”

“But....” Hermione started.

“This is a favor to me. I will ask this of both of you, to clear the air, so to speak.”

“There’s nothing to discuss.” Draco stated as he stepped forward.

“Oh, but there is. Severus did you bring it?” Albus asked.

Severus nodded and handed a vile to Albus, who poured it into two glasses of pumpkin juice, which he conjured up. He handed one to Draco and one to Hermione. They both looked at it, then to Albus.

“What is it?” Hermione asked.

“Drink.” He ordered, then watched as they both drank it down. “It is a Veritaserum truth potion. It’s time for both of you to clear the air, no more lies.” He conjured up two deep cushioned chairs for them to sit.

“You had no right!” Draco shouted.

“Oh. But I do. As Headmaster of this school, I need to make sure my staff and students are happy. Now sit. The door will be locked until it knows when to open.” Albus declared and walked out followed by Severus who gave Hermione a reassuring smile.

She followed them to the door and immediately tried to open it. It wouldn’t budge. “Alohomora” she said, saying the unlocking spell. It still wouldn’t open.

Draco watched her, knowing it would be of no use. He sat down and lounged back with his feet crossed at the ankles, his hands linked together on his stomach. He watched her as she gave in an plopped down on the other chair.

“It’s locked.” She stated, her anger simmering againstus aus at that moment.

“I can see that.” He smirked.

She glared at him, noticing the purple bruise by his left eye. “How’s the eye?” She smirked.

“Hurt like hell yesterday, but it’s okay now. How’s the hand?” As he looked to her bruised knuckles.

“Fine. You deserved it yesterday.”

“Probably.”

They sat quietly until Hermione sat up straight. “How long were you visiting me at night?” Hermione asked.

“For about seven years. The first year after ‘my death’ I was laid up in bed from the bullet wound. After that I visited you twice a year during your cycles.”

“How come I never woke up or saw you there?”

Draco sighed and looked at her. “I used a ‘disillusionment charm’ to make myself invisible. While you were sleeping I used my wand to make you seem more in a dream state. You couldn’t wake up fully until after I left.”

“Do you know what those visits did to me Draco?” She cried as she sat back to look out the window.

“I’m sorry Hermione.” He said simply.

“Those dreams were wonderful. I was able to have you back with me, to feel you against me again. Then when I woke up, you were gone. I felt like I lost you all over again. Why did you do it?”

“Because..... I couldn’t stay away. Albus found out I was visiting you and warned me it may be risky. I tried. I really tried to stay away. I used to watch you out by the pool or when you were teaching at the pre-school.”

“What?!” Hermione shouted.

“You were like an addiction to me Hermione. Even after I saw you screwing with Weasley, I still couldn’t stay away. I really wanted to hurt him that night.” He sai

“What night?”

“The night after I came to see you. You and him were in the living room on the couch.” He grimaced, trying to get that particular image out of his head. “How many times have you and Weasley screwed around?”

Hermione sneered. “Twice. That night on the couch was the first. I would thank you for that. Because of ‘my dream’ the night before I thought I was going crazy. I needed to feel something real, a live body next to me.”

“So he took advantage of you?”

“No. No he didn’t. I needed someone and I offered myself to him. I wanted it more than he did that day.”

“You said twice. When was the other time?”

“The night before I met ‘Chase’.”

“How many men have you had sex with Hermione?”

“Just the two....other than you.”

Draco sat up and looked at her confused. “You said you slept with three other people that night in the astronomy tower.”

Hermione smirked at his confusion. “I slept with two men. You know I’m not lying, I can’t with this truth potion, can I?” She sat back enjoying his confusion. “You asked how many men, the answer would be two. Ron and Severus. The third person was Lavender Brown. The second time Ron and I had sex, Lavender was there also.”

A slow dawning of realization crept into his face. “A threesome?”

“Yes. It was my first. I rather enjoyed myself.” She smirked.

“How come I didn’t see any signs of Katrina when I came to you?” Still trying to get the threesome image out of his head.

“Your ‘visits’ were always during my cycles. Kat always stayed with my parents or Harry. I’m not the same on don during those times, I didn’t want her to see that. Besides if you ventured out of the bedroom, you would have seen pictures around the house yourself.”

“I guess I never paid attention. My mind was pre-occupied by someone else at the time.” Draco said in a resigned sigh. Wishing things could have been different.

“How many times with Snape?” He asked.

“About seven times during the course of four days during my cycle last November.”

“Must have been good.” He sneered.

She smiled. “Yes. It was. But no one was as good as you were. The first years you were gone, it was hard to get on with my life, until about three years ago. I realized I needed to get my life together. I didn’t want to spend my life alone.” She paused. “So how many other people have you slept with the past ten years?”

“Just you.”

“Why?”

“Because I loved you.”

“Do you still love me?”

He paused, and got up to stand by the window. “Yes. Do you still care for me?”

“Yes. I still love you Draco, never stopped.” She got up to stand in front of him. “Is there still a chance for us Draco?”

“I don’t know.”

She kissed him softly on his mouth. “Bye Draco.” And walked to the door, her heart heavy. She tried the door and wasn’t surprised to find it unlocked. The spell must have worn off when they declared their love for each other. She turned to look at him. “I haven’t been with anyone else since I found out you were alive. Let the past go Draco.”