Carnival

Draco followed Jonathan’s personal guards for a good fifteen minutes, wondering the whole time where they were leading him. It was obviously more than just a simple errand. His question was soon answered when they reached a canal at the end of an alley. A large speedboat was tethered to the ramp, Jonathan’s boat. Draco knew purely by the sheer size of it; that Jonathan was trying to overcompensate for something. He smirked, it was pitiable.

After a few moments, Draco started to believe he’d followed a false trail. There was absolutely no movement from the men. They stood erect at the end of the ramp, like two empty headed toy soldiers. Damn it, they were most likely waiting for a refuel. Nothing of importance would happen here. He’d left Granger in the square, alone and kissable, only to follow two buffoons to a boat. His priorities were rapidly coming under question. Merlin, he was losing his sane, reasonable mind, over a bloody witch.

Draco was ready to turn back, when he heard a recognisable voice; a woman’s voice. For a second he thought Granger had arrived. But the woman walking towards the boat was definitely not her. She was oddly familiar though, maybe he had seen her somewhere before. She was almost six foot tall, with a long flowing hooded cape, which obscured her features. Her spike heels clicked on the cobblestones, Draco smiled, he had a thing for spikes. A flash of Granger wearing nothing but thigh high boots and a grin made his cock twitch.

“Hello, Garry, Ryan.”

The woman’s husky voice interrupted Draco’s very dangerous train of thought. She nodded to both men before walking the ramp, and then disappeared into the cabin. He didn’t get to see her face, but instinctually knew it would match the rest of her flawless body. The woman was also in charge, this much he could tell. Draco was in the right place. Intrigued at this new development, he decided to get closer. Violet never mentioned a woman being involved in Jonathan’s dealings. He wasn’t surprised since she hardly told him anything about the mission. Bloody secretive woman.

Since he held the element of surprise; he silently snuck up on the two guards. Quicker than a blink he grasped both heads, smacking them together with a crack. Draco smirked in satisfaction as they slumped forward. He was still on his game. Pulling a roll of thin wire from his pouch, he proceeded to tie the two guards together. When they were secure, he took a deep breath and accessed the situation. Who was this mysteriously familiar woman? And what did she have to do with Jonathan? Did lusting after Granger really throw him so off course, he missed a vital lead? He’d made the classic mistake of letting his smaller brain take the lead. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it.

Draco lost his train of thought when a sharp stabbing pain flared in his kidney. He stumbled to the left, only barely managing to remain upright. Draco spun to see another guard; knuckle dusters adorning his right hand. He grunted in annoyance. How did he miss the third guard? Merlin he was slipping, maybe turning thirty was not such a milestone. As he waited for an attack, the boat roared into life. He watched as it took off down the canal. Shit, he had lost his only new lead.

Draco spun back around and groaned inwardly. The guard had a sword pointed at his throat. Draco sprung backwards, just as the man lunged. He unsheathed his own small lightweight sabre in retaliation, holding it straight like a fencer. He feigned to the left. His enemy parried, he was well versed in swordplay. But, could he outplay a trained Malfoy?

The blades clanged loudly as they connected. Draco fervently prayed the noise from the carnival overshadowed their fight. The last thing he needed was an innocent Muggle to get involved. They parried back and forth for a few minutes, until Draco found himself against the lip of the canal. He tried judging how far away the water was; only letting his attention wander for less than a moment. It was the opportunity the attacker was waiting for. Using all his strength the guard raised his sword, then dropped it down like an axe. Draco had a split second to bring his up to meet it. Feeling the familiar tingle of heat race down his arm, he realised how much he loved the suspense, the adrenaline. This was living.

The extreme pressure made him fall to one knee, sword raised above him. His arm burned under the strain of holding back the attackers blade. Draco knew it was a bad position to be caught in. He needed to move, and soon. Suddenly, he felt a slicing pain rip through his trunk. Draco had been too intent holding back the weight of the sword with both hands; his foe had managed to whip out a small knife to slash him. His mentor’s voice floated through his mind, ‘Draco, you are far too cocky; it will be the death of you one day’.

“But not today,” he yelled in a war-cry, letting loose a bundle of adrenaline.

Without warning, Draco let his weight fall to the side, in an attempt to trick his assailant. The sword came crashing down next to Draco’s body. Merlin, the guard had great reflexes. Draco spun around and kicked out his feet, connecting with his attackers shins. He went down - hard. Draco heard his grunt of astonishment and smirked. Sitting up, Draco thrust his forearm into the man’s throat. It wouldn’t kill him, but he would struggle to get a deep breath for a good ten minutes. Enough time for Draco to escape. That was, if the other two guards were still tied up. The wire wouldn’t hold them for more than a few minutes after they woke.

Draco didn’t attempt to look at his wound, even though he could feel the slick blood oozing down his chest. He hoped it wasn’t too deep. It didn’t feel fatal, but you could never tell. The blade may have been poisoned. He got to his feet and staggered slightly, then shook his head to lessen the fuzz. He saw scaffolding out the corner of his eye which led away from the alley. It was the ultimate escape route, the rooftops.

Taking a running jump, he grasped the bottom rung of the rickety wooden scaffolding. He even surprised himself that he managed to leap up the nine foot distance. He hung for a second, catching his breath. The vertical climb was sluggish at first, his injury biting with every reach. But years of training kicked in, and he placed his pain in a deep reserve inside. Once he had a grip on the ache, he manoeuvred himself to the roof. Grasping the lip, he hauled himself up and over. Draco lay on his back for a moment, catching his breath.

He spared a glance back down at the wheezing guard; Draco knew he’d survive. Why he even cared was beyond him, though Draco did pride himself on never killing anyone except for the target. Whilst climbing, the other two men had escaped and ran to their fallen comrade. One looked up and spied Draco in the shadows and immediately made a bee line for the construction debris. Shit, he didn’t have a hell of a lot of time. He needed to get out of there.

Draco sprinted across the rooftop. The whole time he took in his speed, velocity and the gap he rapidly approached. Pumping his arms to go faster, he flew across the fifteen foot opening onto a lower roof. He landed with a roll, and was back on his feet instantaneously. He felt alive, he felt free, he felt like he was flying. A shot rang out behind him, and Draco felt a whoosh of wind as his hat flew off. They’d shot at him. Uncouth bastards.

He scampered in-between clothes lines, chimneys and vines, losing his pursuer after ten minutes of hard running and jumping. But, the guards were good; Draco knew they would pick up his trail again. It was only when he jumped back to the ground and leant against a flower box that the sting from his chest returned in full force.

Draco tore off his mask, grunting in pain as his cut reopened. Clutching his torso, he ripped open his ragged shirt. A coagulated red line covered his chest where the knife slashed him. It wasn’t deep, but it stung; not as much as his pride though. He had never been injured before. Tonight was the first in many years he’d let his guard down. And it pissed him off.

Draco took off his cape and tore a long strip to bind the wound. He discarded the remaining fabric into the flowerbed, knowing he was leaving a thousand Galleons worth of tailoring in the dirt. The injury was soon bound tightly, so he re-buttoned his shirt as best he could. Draco was thankful the black bandage was the same colour as the shirt; the rip was hardly noticeable. Nobody should ask questions. He had no more time to waste, they were tracking him. Draco was about to slide the mask back over his face and disappear, when he heard a movement behind him.

“Draco?”

He turned slowly to see Hermione standing behind him, her mask in hand. He grimaced, this was insane. He had three guards chasing him down, and here she was, breathtakingly gorgeous, and entrenched in danger. A danger he inadvertently placed her in. He turned so he was facing her, and slid his mask down the back of his pants. When it was secure, he took a step towards her.

“What’s wrong, Draco? You look shattered. What on earth have you been doing? Wooing unwilling ladies?”

He felt a smile creep up, and he carefully stopped it. If only she knew how willing the lady was. Quickly sizing up the situation, he realised he couldn’t tell her anything without putting her in more danger. He hoped she was as wise as she appeared back in Hogwarts. He needed her help, and had no idea whether she would willingly give it. So, he had to play it cool and not arouse her suspicions.

“Granger, what a pleasure. Unfortunately, now is not the time for idle chit chat, nor is it the time for flirtatious innuendos. And what makes you so sure the lady was unwilling?”

Her eyes widened till they were big as saucers, then she glared. He knew she was angry. Serves her right really. He shouldn’t have to defend himself to her, she was the one kissing strangers in the square. Merlin, it sounded ridiculous to his own ears. He was officially mad. Plus, she was the only woman he currently wanted to woo. And he only wooed one lady at a time; he was a prat, not a cad. But, Granger did not have to know this. What he needed right now was a smoke screen, and she was going to provide it. He was running dangerously low on time.

“Typical, Malfoy. Whispering sweet nothings in one ladies ear, whilst gallivanting with another. Was it all a joke, a prank so you and your friends could laugh at the gullible Hermione Granger?”

He stared down at her, not having the time for this. Sighing exasperatedly, he spoke.

“Was what a joke, Granger? I don’t understand.”

“Last night, the damn kiss?” He saw the uncertainty in her eyes, and wanted to kiss her senseless. Even a blind man in this moment would find her the most alluring creature on the planet. Who would joke with a woman like her? It made him wonder what kind of men she had been involved with in the past. Probably prats like you, a voice answered. He swallowed it down.

“That was more than just a kiss, Granger. And I never joke about sex. I meant it when I said you will be in my bed. I’m also not lying when I tell you; you’ll be breathlessly screaming my name all night.”

“You are so conceited, you know that?” A hint of a smile played on her lips. He stifled a moan, he wanted that mouth desperately.

“I’m a Malfoy. Conceited is my middle name.”

He clasped Granger’s slender wrist and pulled her in, lowering his lips to hers. Draco plunged his tongue into her mouth, a growl of desire rumbling through his chest. She gasped into his mouth allowing him free reign. He decided he liked the pliable Granger. He pushed her up against the nearest wall and feathered his hands down her waist. Grasping her hips tightly he ground himself into her. He was getting as hard as a pillar of stone. He left her mouth, trailing light kisses across her cheek towards her ear. He nipped, feeling her tremble.

“Granger, I need you to hide me.” His whisper was hoarse and throaty. Damn, she was unbelievable.

She moaned as Draco licked her lobe and kissed the back of her ear. Her mewls of pleasure went straight to his cock. Merlin, one touch from her and he was a goner. He ground into her again and she whimpered when his hardness pressed against her.

“What….what do you mean? Hide you? Where, how?” He leant back slightly to look into her eyes. “Wow, your eyes look blue in this light.” She blushed, she was rambling and he liked how frazzled he’d gotten her. The last thing on her mind at the moment was why his eyes looked different. He was truly a master seducer. Unfortunately, she was bewitching him straight back. It was a new sensation; almost losing control. But he couldn’t right now, and it almost killed him to stop.

He looked down at her hooped skirt, and a delectably naughty, yet perfect idea formed. He would show Granger exactly what it was like to be at the mercy of a Malfoy. And as a bonus, it would shield him from his pursuers. Sometimes his brilliance astonished himself, yes, he was that arrogant.

“Look, three guards are going to come round that corner any minute. I’m going to hide under your skirt, and you tell them you haven’t seen me. Simple.”

He watched as she blinked several times, her brain whirling into action. Would she help him? He saw a frown appear and before she could ask him why he needed her aid, he assaulted her lips again. The plain truth of the matter was; he didn’t want to stop kissing her. And it was also a brilliant diversionary tactic to confound her and get what he wanted.

“Granger, I can’t explain right now. I know it’s unbelievably hard, but just trust me.” He saw her eyes soften and he knew he found her Achilles heel.

She smiled in acquiescence. He quickly placed one last soft kiss to her lips, and then dropped to the ground lifting the stiff hoop of her dress. She parted her legs so he could slide between them. It was compact for his six foot two frame, but the skirt was huge, and hid him perfectly.

He sat for a moment in the semi-darkness, breathing deeply. Having time now, he took out his contacts which had begun to sting his eyes. After a few seconds he caught the distinct hint of a woman’s scent. Draco’s lip tilted in a grin as he truly began to appreciate the situation. Without a second thought, he ran a hand up the outside of her thigh until he reached her hip. He was immediately swatted away. He let his hand drop instantly, he’d found out what he wanted to know.

Hermione Granger, straight laced third of The Golden Trio, and all round book worm; was not wearing any underwear.


*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*


Hermione blushed furiously. Never in her entire life had she been as mortified as she was, right at this moment. What in hell possessed her to forgo underwear tonight? Hang on; what possessed her to let Malfoy hide under her skirts in the first place? When she felt his hand slide up her outer thigh, she almost toppled over in desire. How could she have gone from hardly knowing Malfoy, to wanting him more than ever, in only twenty four hours?

The next question on her lips was, who was chasing after him and why? Did he really accost an unwilling woman, and her brothers were after him? No, he specifically said guards. What on earth had he done? And why was she helping him?

She knew why. He’d asked for her trust, and for some unfathomable reason she wanted to give it. No matter their past, he was now a man. Draco had made an honourable career after being cleared of wrong doing in the war. She wasn’t in the same social circles, but she heard things about him from time to time. And even though his insufferable conceitedness had not left, he was in all respects a reputable man. Except at this moment, he was hiding from guards under her skirts. Yeah, he was real respectable.

Hermione had just backed them to a guard rail, when suddenly three men clambered around the corner. She grasped the wooden railing as if her life depended on it. These men were not just any guards; they were Jonathan’s personal ones. What in Merlins name had Malfoy gotten into?

The men stopped in their tracks when they saw Hermione standing there.

“Oh. My. Gosh.” Hermione yelped out, then bit her tongue straight away. Malfoy was placing light kisses on the inside of her thigh.

“Ms Granger, how are you this evening?”

Hermione stared at Garry, absolutely gob smacked. Incoherent thoughts raced through her mind, she couldn’t answer right away. Draco’s hand curled around her thigh, just above where his lips were tracing bone melting kisses. He slid it up and down slowly, deliberately; every up-take took his fingers dangerously close to her heat. She wanted to swat him away. Merlin, she honestly didn’t want to, but this was beyond appropriate. He licked upwards making her jump slightly.

“Ah Garry…..Um, Yes, I’m fine.” Hermione bit her lip trying not to moan audibly. It was near on impossible.

She shifted a little and leant back against the railing, lest her legs give way. This made Malfoy all the more aggressive; he had a much better angle to assault her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she wondered whether she moved on purpose.

“Have you seen a masked man, dressed in black run past?” Garry questioned her.

Hermione shook her head, not trusting her voice to stay balanced. Malfoy’s hand finished its quest. He was tracing his fingers over the lips of her pussy. One of her legs involuntary moved outwards. His fingers became more insistent, dipping in slightly as he touched her. Her eyes fluttered shut.

“Are you okay, Ms Granger? You look pale and you’re trembling. Can I get Ryan to escort you back to the VIP area?”

Hermione never wanted to move again in her life. Draco slipped a finger into her tightness and her knees quaked, he removed it slowly then pushed two fingers back in, filling her. She wanted more. Merlin, did she want more.

“Oh god, yes.”

“Very well, Ryan, you can escort Ms Granger back to the square, and we will follow the trail, then catch us up if you can.”

It took Hermione a second to hear the conversation, and a moment more for it to sink in. Malfoy was slowly and expertly screwing her with his fingers. It was intoxicating; she was completely jumbled, in the most delightful way possible. Then he flicked his thumb over her clit. This time she did jump, but not enough to break contact. They would have to fight her to get her to move. She was not going anywhere, even if her damn life depended on it.

“No, no, Ryan, its fine. I’m just taking in some fresh air. I will be safe. Oh…..yes.”

The three men frowned at her, Hermione knew she was acting odd, but Draco’s fingers were magic, and she was seeing stars, literally. This was the naughtiest situation she’d ever been in. Sex was usually behind closed doors. Never out in the open with three guards watching while her face flushed, and she barely held onto her control. Draco’s thumb flicked her clit firmly, and the pumping increased. Merlin, she was going to come soon.

“Are you sure? How about I leave Ryan here?”

She felt a movement under her skirts and looked down sharply, making sure it wasn’t noticeable. Her skirt never moved. She looked back up at Garry and smiled.

“Seriously, everything is fine……..Oh Merlin, I’m going to come…”

Malfoys tongue had replaced his thumb and was licking her, pressing hard. His fingers still pumped in and out of her, she could feel her wetness dripping down his hand.

“Ms Granger, you can’t come with us. We have an apprehension to do.”

Dazed, she looked at the three guards in front of her. She longed to hold Malfoys head in place and let him take her to oblivion. She just about did, but her rational side told her no.

“Oh, I understand, carry on. I think I may have seen someone run down that alley.” She pointed to her right, her arm was trembling. She couldn’t believe the guards were so dense. Her flushed face must have been a dead giveaway. She barely stifled another whimper. Malfoy was relentless, and she was ready to pop.

“Right, head that way guys.” Garry stopped before her, and tilted his head in question. “Please, Ms Granger, head back to the main arena. Anything could happen to you here.”

She nodded incoherently thinking ‘it sure could’. Garry raced off in the direction she’d pointed. Now they were alone. Hermione reached down to feel Malfoys head under her skirt, oh Merlin, it was really happening. Draco Malfoy was under her dress licking her into a state of such ecstasy, she didn’t even care she was in public. Malfoy took it upon himself at that moment to wrap his lips around her clit and suck, hard. Hermione grasped the railing and held on as her knees buckled.

“Oh, Draco.” She purred deep in her throat, hoping he didn’t hear her soft moan. White blinding light hit the inside of her eyelids as she shivered and came undone over his face. As her trembling subsided and Hermione came back to earth, he lathed her clean and kissed her once intimately. Then he sat down to give her space to assimilate. Though, he wrapped one hand around her ankle; she liked the contact.

She rested, catching her breath for a moment. Now that she had rational thoughts running through her head, she was horrified at her behaviour. True, it was the most intense orgasm she had ever experienced at the hands of any man. But it was in public whilst talking to co-workers. She was out of her damn mind.

As they both remained still, waiting, she wondered about Malfoy and his obvious connection with Jonathan. He had made his dislike known last night at the party, and now Jonathan’s personal guards were after him. Was this something she had to know about in regards to her plan to capture Jonathan? CMOA wanted him alive and magically neutered. Though she had heard a second rumour; they’d also sent an assassin after him as a back up. And judging by the killing curse sprawled across The Daily Prophet, she was guessing it was no longer just a rumour.

Something caught her eye; looking down she saw the back side of a mask sitting outside her skirt. It must have been Malfoys. Thank god Garry didn’t see it. She leant over, feeling Malfoy adjust himself to her movement. Picking it up, she held it in her hands.

“You can come out now. All’s safe.”

Malfoy jumped into action and uncovered himself, placing her hoop back into position. A sexy smirk graced his features as he stood up straight beside her. She didn’t know what to say. What could she say? ‘Whoa, Malfoy, your reputation is well deserved and I think I’m in love with your tongue’. Embarrassed, she tried turning from him, her face lowered. He grasped her chin and forced her to look up at him. She felt a new wave of crimson wash over her. Draco’s steel grey eyes were dark and depthless; it let her know he was not un-affected by what had occurred. It gave her a renewed confidence.

“Granger, you are bloody gorgeous and absolutely delectable. I can’t wait to have full reign over your spectacular body.” He licked his lips slowly and shut his eyes. “Delicious.”

Shards of desire tore at her insides. Hermione was completely in lust with this arrogant blonde haired wizard. And she honestly didn’t care who knew it. Never had she felt so desired, so sinfully sexual. But, she still needed to know what was happening with him right now. No matter the tingles which flowed through her body. Malfoy was up to something.

“Why were the guards after you, Malfoy?”

She watched as he closed his eyes a little, then turn to look out over the canal. She sighed, he was going to lie. So much for trust on his behalf, she was not shocked.

“I think I may have interrupted something important. They didn’t like the intrusion.”

She smiled, what he said could be completely true, in an evasive Malfoy way. Jonathan’s guards were always up to something, generally shady dealings. This is why CMOA sent Hermione in, undercover. They wanted enough on him for an arrest which would stick. She spun the mask over handing it to Malfoy.

“You dropped this….” Her voice trailed off into a whisper as she saw the pattern on it. Black, with a distinct red stripe. Her eyes snapped to his, and she saw him wince.

“Granger, I….”

“You’re the man I danced with earlier? My god I’m so stupid. You played me the whole time. I should have seen it, sensed something. My god, what game are you playing, Malfoy?”

Despair made her insides feel like they had cracked open, and now cold icy air filled her lungs. She wheezed slightly in betrayal, and took a step back as Malfoy went to touch her.

“Don’t touch me, Malfoy. Don’t ever touch me. Oh God, I’m going to be sick. I let you…..”

She backed up continuing to walk slowly, watching Malfoys blank face. He looked shocked, and speechless. She almost let out a hysterical giggle at the expression she was sure had never crossed his features before this moment. She was skirting the canal now, and didn’t care where the alley took her. So long as it took her far away from him, and his gorgeously deceptive face. Hermione needed time to absorb the whole fiasco. Her chest hurt and her head pounded. Why did she allow herself to like the pillock? She knew deep inside it had to end badly, she just didn’t imagine this scenario. Not in a freaking million years.

“Granger, shit, it’s not what you think, okay, well maybe it is, but I can explain.”

“No, no explaining, Malfoy. The time for that is well and truly past. I was a fool to…I was just a fool.” Hermione was rapidly trying to gather her thoughts into some form of coherent structure. Was he an assassin? No, it was too ridiculous to even joke about.

Draco tried to follow her, but she placed her hand up in a stop gesture. And to her relief - or despair, he stopped. Merlin, her insides hurt more than she first surmised. She had to get her god damn emotions under control, she was a bloody professional. Christ she worked for a secret agency, betrayal was part of the training. So why did Draco’s pierce the thick skin she’d managed to develop? She needed answers, but wasn’t sure what to ask first. She looked up and felt a pang deep inside, damn he was still gorgeous.

She heard a slight noise behind her, and suddenly a cloth was placed over her mouth. She struggled and saw Malfoy heading towards her; a look of pure hatred graced his face. What the hell was going on now? She’d had enough and thought about falling limp, but her damn self preservation kicked in.

“Mr Malfoy. I would not take one more step if I were you. Or you’ll lose your pretty little partner here.”

Jonathan’s voice rang out over the canal and rebounded off the stone walls encasing them in the alley. What was he on about, partner? She was working with Herbert, not Malfoy. Malfoy was a rich playboy who was messing with her head by pretending to be an assassin. He wouldn’t have the guts to kill anyone; he’d always been a coward. She was being unfair but, god she hated him at this moment.

“Let her go, Jonathan, she’s of no use to you. She’s just an innocent ministry employee caught up in something much bigger than she could imagine.”

Hermione felt an unnatural urge to stamp her foot and yell out to Malfoy that he was wrong. She was important and knew exactly what was going on; well she was pretty sure she knew. But, the cloth was tight over her mouth, and she felt woozy. Comprehension dawned; there were drugs on the fabric. She tried to keep her eyes from closing, they weighed an absolute tonne. She had to try though, something important was about to happen. She could feel it in her bones.

“Surely you don’t expect me to believe that drivel. I did not get to this position of power without knowing who my enemies are. What is the Muggle saying, ‘keep your friends close, and your enemies closer’?”

Jonathans arm tightened around her as he pulled her over the barrier into a waiting boat. Sleep was coming; she tried desperately to stave it off. Fighting back physically was beyond her capabilities at the moment.

“I’m your only enemy here, Jonathan. I swear if you harm a hair on her head, you will never live to see another sunrise.” Draco’s voice echoed menacingly.

Jonathan threw his head back in laughter. Disturbing sensations travelled down Hermione’s spine, it was the laughter of somebody sure of themselves. He wasn’t concerned at all. Jonathan knew something; he was holding an ace up his sleeve.

“Are you trying to tell me you don’t know who Hermione Granger really works for? Come on, Mr Malfoy, I wasn’t born yesterday.”

“She works for you at the ministry, she’s a god damn researcher; she can’t harm you.” Draco’s exasperated tone filled the canal.

Hermione’s eyes blearily opened a little more, what was Malfoy trying to accomplish by annoying Jonathan? He wasn’t a damn hostage negotiator. He didn’t know what he was doing; he was just a rich boy who played dirty games. Draco had no idea what her real task was. Even though she was finding it hard to remember what it was herself.

“You’re serious aren’t you? This is bloody brilliant. Actually, I haven’t had such a delicious piece of information like this in years. Oh, how I love to rip people’s pre-conceptions about each other apart. How does this grab you? Both you and Hermione work for CMOA. You, The Black Knight is assigned to kill me, and she, The Rouge Cub is assigned to arrest and bring me in, alive.”

Hermione’s eyes snapped open, no longer groggy, and caught Malfoys at the exact same time. Truth dawned in both pairs. Malfoy hadn’t played her, not really. Jonathan had been doing the manipulating all along. He knew exactly who and what they were, codenames included. It was too much to absorb. Hermione’s head hit the bottom of the boat as darkness surrounded her in its black embrace.

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A/N: This chapter was only a little bit steamy, a prelude maybe! :)…But there will be more…later on! Thank you so much to all of you who read this. Once again extra special thanks (with sprinkles on top) go out to those who reviewed! Margaritama, Panther Eyes, witchinghour185, Dreamweaver and Flaming Moth of Doom. You guys are great and made me smile with your lovely reviews! Next chapter will be up soon!