No Longer Helpless

Chapter Thirty-Three
They Have Giants, We Have Vampires

It felt as though their harsh day of training was a wake up call. Draco and Hermione were more set in the idea that in four days time, they’d be executing what would hopefully be the final battle.

There wasn’t much free time for them to ponder the intricacies of the scheme. A rather generalized version had been drawn up the previous evening, at headquarters. Basically, in order for Voldemort to make a move, Hermione had to be vulnerable. The problem presented with trying to make her open for attack, was that after the murder of her parents’ it would be suspicious if she wasn’t under constant surveillance and guard.

What Voldemort didn’t know, was the training Hermione had been undergoing. The Dark Lord also didn’t know much about Draco’s condition, except that the boy had killed one of his more loyal followers and run off to Dumbledore for protection. Right now though, Draco was not his concern.

Snape’s reports told them that Voldemort was obsessed with getting his hands on Hermione’s power, which meant that even if there were suspicion surrounding the set up, the dark wizard would most likely take the chance. There was an arrogance about Riddle that he had always carried. If the twisted creature of a man felt like there might be a trap, he’d go ahead anyway, thinking there was no way he could be stopped.

The basic scheme was for Hermione to visit her parents’ graves. As it was, the stone markers had been placed just recently in their family plot, though no bodies were actually buried, owning to their sad end and destruction. The visit was plausible, since the young girl would have her sentimental muggle attachments to her dead mother and father, and she’d surely push to say a last farewell.

Obviously, they couldn’t let her go without an escort, that would just scream ‘set up’. So, they once again would use the services of Severus Snape. Because Hermione was staying at Hogwarts, there would be few people she would have interactions with. Severus Snape would be one of them, and it would make sense to have him, as her teacher and formidable fighter, guard her.

With Snape in place, this gave a deceitful opportunity for Voldemort to step in. After all Snape was a Death Eater.

Hermione would take a trip to the muggle world, with Severus Snape as her only protection.

While everyone had their doubts, this was a great chance for them to become offensive stance and make a lethal blow.


*

During their dinner, Harry explained a little about what he had been up to lately. It wasn’t that there was some big secret about it, but for his own pride he felt like he wanted to master his lessons before speaking about it with anyone. Besides, there had been enough conversation fillers with the recent developments in Hermione’s life.

Harry’s lessons with Dumbledore were mental training and building control. Dumbledore had spoken with him, telling him there was a force inside of him that he had yet to even tap in to. The only trouble was, if Harry did somehow release this pent up source of magic, he would have no control over it. But, his lessons were coming along well, as he had truly buckled down and focused.

It wasn’t just a lack of nighttime horrors, which were invariably the result of honed skills in occlumency, but a feeling of calm during the day as well. And with the overall conclusion that the final battle was mere days away, he was pushing himself even further. It was his fate to kill Voldemort, and everyone knew that.

After dinner, there was an Order meeting. This time, only a handful of members were in attendance, and they spent the time covering every minute detail involved in the their scheme.

To Hermione, she couldn’t wait to get out of there. The day had been so taxing, and her body wanted sleep, before another day of training. Not to mention, Draco had been groping her thigh, and half way through the meeting while she smiled innocently up at the other members, she was hot and bothered and ready to jump the Slytherin right there.

*

Finally, Hermione slept deeply, in much the same manner as the night before. She was curled up against Draco, both naked and exhausted from a final draining of energy after making love.


If Hermione thought Moody couldn’t work them any harder, she was sorely mistaken. The next day on the Quidditch pitch, she and Draco arrived to a smug looking group of Aurors. Cody and Tearnogh, who Hermione had previously been surprised to meet at an Order meeting, stood beside Tonks. There was one other whom they didn’t recognize, but assumed to be an Auror also.

Naturally, without explanation, Moody attacked, not even allowing for a warm up. Hermione and Draco were horribly overpowered when three of them came at once.

But, the time wore on, through magic spells and a lot of physical movement. They never left the pitch, though they were all over it, from one end to the other in the blink of an eye. Each Auror was mildly surprised at the ease Hermione and Draco managed to use flash step. But, they were more experienced and able to keep them on the defense most of the time.

After a short bit, Hermione made a faltering stand still, leaving herself open for a fraction of a second too long. As though they were sharks drawn to blood, Tonks, Cody, and Samson leapt at the chance. This proved erroneous on their part, as they were repelled back in a painful shockwave, and met with a sudden change of tactics as Hermione and Draco switched to the offensive.

A silent communication had transpired somewhere, and the two rookies had managed to gain some ground. It was upon seeing this that Moody smiled and called a halt to everything.

Breathless, Hermione and Draco drank and ate gratefully the food Dobby had brought them.

But again, Moody barked that there was no rest for the wicked, and they resumed their little practical training, with four against two this time. Tearnogh was next to join, while Moody, who had initially been attacking sat back and studied. They listened as he would bark orders, or reprimand them for something done wrong.

Their day finished with an amazing stale mate. Where they had started off barely able to keep up their own defense and dodge hexes and punches, they ended with an equalized balance between blocking kicks and spells, and giving them.

*

The meeting that night was a bit unsettling. Those present included Moody, the Headmaster, Tonks, Remus, Arthur, Snape, Harry, Ron, Draco, and Hermione.

Snape was rather worked up, which in itself was frightening, since the Potions Master never displayed any emotion other than his anger and loathing of all Gryffindors.

Attentively, Hermione sat listening to Snape as he ranted about a change of events. The Giants and Dementors were at Voldemort’s beck and call, and he had revealed just how grand his army of magical legions was last night. Most of the Death Eaters didn’t have a clue, only the inner circle, which Snape was not among, so he was not aware until now.

“This changes nothing,” Moody stated, hardly intimidated by a group of oversized trolls and undead prison guards.

The look on Dumbledore’s face was very grave, but the news was nothing but expected to him, so as Moody had put it, ‘it changed nothing’.

While they discussed ways in which to hide the presence of all the Order members and ministry forces, who they had silently contacted, Hermione’s mind wandered. She knew her part. It was her job to act the damsel in distress and then strike with all her might. How everyone else was going to show up was their business. Her mind couldn’t be weighed down with everyone else’s job, she needed her focus.

She noticed Draco had become rather solemn and brooding. His mind seemed to be working rapidly and his brows were furrowed in deep thought.

As the meeting came to a close, Draco remained seated, and made no move to leave. When Hermione gave him a questioning glance, he simply gave her a reassuring smirk and shook his head slightly.

She knew this was some sort of dismissal for her to depart without him, but she was stubborn and crossed her arms, waiting for him to get up.

Dumbledore, having noticed Draco’s behavior as well, remained sitting, since the boy apparently wanted a word with him. Miss Granger however, seemed rather adamant in staying also, as she stood firmly and expectantly.

Much to everyone’s surprise, if not utter shock, Draco stood up and went to Hermione, kissing her gently on the forehead and whispering in her ear. For a moment she didn’t seem to register everyone’s presence and acted as though it were a common occurrence. But when she did realize their surroundings, her cheeks flamed. The flush only deepened when she was forced to give a small nod of agreement to whatever Draco had spoken, and have him publicly claim her mouth right there in front of everyone.

A gruff cough from Moody broke the shocked silence. Harry and Ron’s mouths were gaping, along with Remus and Snape’s. Dumbledore had an extremely amused smile across his face, and the twinkle which his eyes he had so recently been lacking was back and sparkling more than ever.

While Hermione fought not to bury her head in embarrassment, Draco deepened his kiss, forcing everything from her mind, but the feel of his lips and teasing of his tongue. Not even Moody’s interrupting cough made it through. Feeling a light squeeze on her butt, she resisted the urge to do anything more.

“Now they know” he whispered again, only so she could hear, after they broke away slightly breathless. “I won’t be back tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

It was a terrible explanation, one which she wouldn’t accept had it not been for the pleading look in his eyes. So, she frowned and reluctantly accepted going back alone. But, not before she gave him as good as she got. Standing on the tips of her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. Kissing him deeply, she sucked his bottom lip and sought entrance to his mouth, which he gave without hesitation. Just as she felt his hands begin an automatic trail down her body, she gently and subtly moved her leg, pressing her hip against him, and earning a groan.

Smirking, she pulled back, and whispered, “I’ll be in your bed, waiting. If you don’t come back before training on the pitch, we won’t be able to do our morning exercises.”

Body on fire, Draco wanted to curse everyone to hell and take her on the table right then and there. And the fact that his little innocent princess had just made a blatant innuendo only heightened the drive she incited within him. As if he needed any more motivation to hurry back just to be at her side, now she’d gotten him riled up.

Turning from him, Hermione did her best to remain calm upon seeing the shocked stares from everyone. Moody had chosen that moment to remove his magical eye and conjure a glass of water to clean it, appearing as though he were bored and oblivious to what had just transpired.

Snape stalked from the room, mumbling what sounded like, “If only I were as fortunate as Alastor and able to remove my eyes at will.”

Remus walked towards Tonks, who was actually blushing at their display, and lead her from the room.

As Hermione left the room, Harry and Ron caught up with her. It was at this moment she chose to let her emotions show and blush furiously again.

Harry started laughing, nearly as amused as Dumbledore at her embarrassment. It was a wonder how she managed to return the Slytherin’s gesture when she herself was so damn shy. “Didn’t know you had it in you,” he said, with underlying mirth. When she looked at him surprised he winked at her, “Ginny would be proud, that’s for sure.”

Huffing, Ron sulkily crossed his arms and stated, “I hope you know he has cooties! I can just see it now, little blonde haired bookworms running around like they’re better than everyone and answering questions even when no one’s asked any.” Though far from thrilled at the idea of Hermione locking lips with the ferret, he couldn’t say he hadn’t seen this coming.

That night, Hermione found herself restless and consumed by thoughts of Draco. While he said he would be back by morning, she couldn’t help but toss and turn as she wondered where he was and why he didn’t tell her what he was up to.

Eventually, her weary body demanded that her mind stop thinking so much and slip into a sweet unconscious state of sleep.

*


“Mmm…” she mumbled as a persistent warmth spread through her. Opening her eyes, she found the first rays of morning light filter through the closed window of Draco’s bedroom.

Nibbling at her neck, Draco was propped upon his elbows at her side. “You’re back?” she spoke, still groggy, but quickly recovering as she felt his hand slip under her shirt.

“And you’re not naked!” he growled, groping her breast.

Grinning broadly, she arched into his hand and recalled a rather vividly erotic dream she’d had. While she was far from being comfortable and completely open about anything sexual, she couldn’t ignore the way her body felt around Draco, and she couldn’t deny the fact that she did enjoy having sex with him immensely.

“Where’d you go?” she questioned, reaching up and slipping his robes off his shoulders.

Taking her direction, Draco shrugged out of the all too confining garment, pulling his shirt off next. “I had an idea. It worked, that’s all,” he said, claiming her mouth. “You’re little goodbye kiss was infuriating,” he spoke before delving deep into her mouth.

Battling him, for dominance, she let herself succumb to his kiss, as she would win either way. Once he broke off, she replied, “Infuriating, or exciting?” she asked, boldly reaching down and groping his groin through his pants.

Groaning loudly, as her hand lingered on his hardened member, and softly rubbed him, he had to rest his head forward, beside hers.

“Tell me,” she whispered in his ear, reaching inside his pants this time, giving him the feel of her soft hand on his leaking cock. “Where were you?”

As he bucked into her touch, he swore viciously in his mind, damning the absolute control she could take over him. It wasn’t that he was trying to hide anything, but he thought the less worries she had at this point would be better. However her next words stirred him into an immediate confession.

“Let me ride you,” she spoke lustfully into his ear, she could see the shiver that ran through him. If speaking the words hadn’t made her ready to go right then, surely the obvious effect she had on him did.

“I went to Blain!” he spoke quickly, wanting more than anything to have Hermione do exactly what she’d said, right now.

Though he half expected her to falter and question him incredulously, she simply continued in their foreplay. Trailing her nails across his back and through his hair, she kissed him again, dominantly.

“Why?” she asked further, finishing the kiss and moving again to his pants, where she unbuttoned them.

“We need reinforcements!” he cried, as she grasped his cock entirely and gave it a good stroke.

“And?” she prompted, squirming away and lifting her shirt over her head.

“And, we have them,” he finished, chest heaving as he watched her. She was wearing one of his shirts again, and those shorts. The sight almost made him want to shag her with the clothes on. His mind changed however, when the shirt was removed and her breasts bare for his eyes to see.

Though a bit nervous, Hermione now knew there was no going back on her whispered plea. Her body wouldn’t let her, it wanted this too badly. So, slipping out of her shorts, she crawled back to Draco, who had discarded his obstructing pants.

Now, as she saw him, though not for the first time, she was still unused to it, but completely drawn and turned on. Straddling him, she lost all patience. The moment she felt his tip in position, she slammed down on him, sheathing him to the hilt.

“Merlin!” he cried out, tossing his head back, much as she did. “Still, so damn tight!” he thought aloud.

As Hermione began her first movement she replied, “I hope that’s a good thing.”

“Yes” he hissed, grasping her hips and meeting her thrust for thrust as she began. Seeing the lust in his little Gryffindor’s eyes did so much for him, he though he might come right then. Hell, when she’d asked to ride him, he almost came.

Building up quickly, Hermione began to whimper as she rocked in a slightly different way to rub her clit against him. She was going to come, she could feel it climbing, building. Nearly there. As Draco made a particularly harsh thrust up into her, the pleasure exploded in waves and she kept rocking against him, riding him out to the fullest.

It felt like the moment she reached her explosive orgasm he followed, spilling his seed into her.

Panting, she dropped forward, lying against his chest, not even bother to move off his him. When she shifted her weight slightly, she could feel him growing hard again.

“So, she likes to try different positions” he spoke grinning wickedly. He grew hard again at the image of her breasts bouncing, her head thrown back, and her back arching in ecstasy while she rode him. When his image changed into what he wanted to try this time, he was ready to go again.


Luckily, he’d rushed back and arrived just after dawn broke. So, it was a couple more hours before their presence was required down at the pitch. Draco couldn’t think of anything better to do than make up for his absence last night.

*


Again, down on the grassy field, they arrived, practically glowing with an aura that would have told anyone who cared to look that they’d just been shagging like bunnies.

Moody seemed less than pleased with them, but he’d never comment on what they did in the privacy of their own dormitory. It just figured they were both Head Boy and Girl, so they shared a dorm. But, he did approve of their relationship, it could only make them work better together. What he didn’t approve of was an active sexual appetite when they were already draining so much of their physical energy with training. But, he supposed the fact that they still had energy enough meant they had built a great deal of stamina and strength.

Today, Moody was pulling out all the stops. Ten Aurors, three of which were Untouchables like himself, were present in the Quidditch stadium. Aside from the Aurors was a group of oddly dressed, insane looking vampires. Moody was glad he’d called for so many Aurors, as there was no telling what could happen with a group of vampires around.

Last night, Draco had approached them, after his little public declaration that he was doing the Head Girl. He mentioned a possible recruiting opportunity of their own, a formidable group he’d met and could possibly entice into the war.

Both Dumbledore and Moody had their doubts about this, but apparently Draco made them an offer the leader of their group couldn’t refuse.


TBC...