Lust, War and... Love?

paigeey07: Thanks for reviewing! Hope you'll enjoy this chapter too. :)

******

Gentle autumnal sunshine filled the Gryffindor Common Room but Hermione failed to appreciate the beauty of the warm September day. She was staring blankly at pages of arcane runic texts. Her efforts to concentrate on her Ancient Runes homework had proven futile. Neither was she able to banish from her mind the unnerving memories of Malfoy touching her in the library. The most unsettling thing was a highly unwanted fantasy of the pureblood scum’s hand caressing her privates. If they stayed any longer in the library and Madam Pince, in a sudden rush of sympathy for all lovers in the world, locked them alone there, Hermione would definitely fail to resist Malfoy’s advances.

“Oi, Hermione! Have you got that book on Animal Transfiguration?” Ron’s voice dragged her out of her stupor. She must, absolutely must, get rid of the Malfoy hallucinations. She must pull herself together! Her heart belonged to Ron Weasley, not Draco Malfoy. Period.

Resolutely, Hermione walked with the book to Ron’s seat. When she placed it on the table in front of him, she made a point to press her body against his shoulder and remain in this position. Ron looked up at her with a perfectly lunatic smile on his face. Hermione rubbed against his shoulder lightly. Ron’s grin widened.

Hermione reached for one of Ron’s parchments on the table and deliberately brushed her breasts against his forearm in the process. Ron made a small sound. Two fifth-year girls at another table giggled. Perfect. A juicy gossip was now in the making. Hermione had long suspected that Malfoy always did his best to keep up with the latest Hogwarts politics and gossips. A steamy tale featuring both of the Gryffindor prefects was guaranteed to travel far and wide. It would help drive the point about her true allegiance further into that Slytherin.

The only problem was that when Hermione’s chest came into contact with Ron’s arm, a lurid fantasy of Malfoy’s palms squeezing her breasts sprang into her mind. Against her will, Hermione emitted a slight groan which made Ron shift in his seat.

“Hermione… Could you… er… look at my DADA essay? It’s in my trunk.” Ron got to his feet and headed to the stair to the boys’ dorms. Hermione trailed after him. Everyone‘s eyes were on them. Lavender Brown, who was sitting in a chair by the fireplace, looked distinctly despondent.

In the empty dorm Ron, pink in face and grinning, stood and stared at Hermione. She shifted on her feet nervously and could not think of anything better than to sit on his bed and ask to read his essay. Ron began rummaging in his trunk vigorously. Hermione reminded herself to banish all Malfoy thoughts from her mind. When she was about to give Ron a hug from behind, Dean and Seamus barged into the room, loudly discussing the recent victory of Puddlemere United over Chudley Cannons. Hermione was not sure whether or not she was happy about the interruption.

******

Snape was in the staff room, and Draco had to lounge in the corridor for almost an hour before the teacher came out. When Draco fed him a story about an essay on love potions for Slughorn’s class and mentioned the Treatise of Osburga, Snape’s beetle-black eyes bore into the his face. Draco made a sluggish effort to dispel all Granger-related thoughts from his mind. Snape said nothing and waved Draco to follow him to his office in the dungeons.

“Remedies for which potions are you supposed to cover in your essay?” Snape put the black volume on his desk.


“Amortentia… Heorte Lustbaere.” Draco strained to remember other potions described in the Treatise of Osburga. “Cupido Lubidinis… The most potent love potions, Professor Snape.“

“Does Professor Slughorn cover them all in his class?” Snape looked across the desk at Malfoy.

“Yes, it is the N.E.W.T. level, Sir. No one knows the Potions better than you,” Draco flattered the teacher.

“What a peculiar subject to discuss in the class,” muttered Snape and leafed through the Treatise of Osburga. “Hmm… Quite a book to read. The famous Osburga, a witch queen married to King Aethewulf of Wessex, a complete Muggle… Here.”

Draco quickly copied a few recipes of remedies for Cupido Lubidinis and some other potions, names of which he did not register. Trying to sound casual, Draco asked, “Are the antidotes for Heorte Lustbaere in this book too, Sir?”

Snape’s eyes drilled into him from under his greasy hair. Draco looked down at his notes to avoid his stare. The teacher turned a few more pages and pushed the book back to the student.

Draco copied the recipe which had an exceptionally long list of ingredients. St. John’s-Wort powder, finely shredded boomslang skin, essence of persimmon, carraffean bean juice, caramelized wolf hair, Nvembe purple vinegar - the list went on and on. It was clear that it was going to be a major pain and expense to procure everything. One of the ingredients made Draco a little worried. Buds of Alban Eilirenne harvested before the dawn of the day of the vernal equinox, mashed and added to the potion immediately.

“Sir, what’s Alban Eilirenne?” Draco inquired cautiously.

Snape, who was busy writing in his parchments, answered without as much as raising his head, “It is a bulb plant which blooms on the day of the vernal equinox. Otherwise known as Nuntius Vernus.“

“Where do they sell these plants? I’ve never heard of them before, Professor Snape.”

“They are not very common. I believe Professor Sprout has a few of them in the greenhouses. The buds make an extremely potent ingredient in some potions but their usability is very limited. They must be used within an hour after harvesting. Otherwise the buds turn black and rot. The potion that contains them must be consumed within twenty-four hours after preparation.”

That did not bode well… Draco tried to ask as nonchalantly as he could, “Are there any other counterpotions that don’t call for the Alban Eilirenne buds? I imagine if someone consumes Heorte Lustbaere in summer by accident, what would he do then?”

Snape raised his pallid face from his parchments and gave his favorite student a long stare. “It is just a school essay, I assume?”

“Yes, of course, Sir. But I’m curious how it’s handled in the real life.” Draco was on needles now.

“Draco, Heorte Lustbaere is not something you’re likely to stumble upon at an average store. If you ask about it in Knockturn Alley, those who know about the potion will pretend they didn’t hear your question. It’s almost believed to have a mind of its own.”

“Oh…but the recipe can still be found in books, Sir.”

“At this point our library has got only one book that describes this potion - the Treatise of Osburga, which you apparently found in the Restricted Section.”

“Yes, I was looking everywhere. Amortentia is not a common potion either, Sir.”

“Amortentia? It is a textbook staple,“ Snape snorted dismissively. “Heorte Lustbaere is a very ancient recipe but also is a highly incriminating one. Used very rarely and thence its effects have scarcely been researched. Only one antidote is known, and it can be made only on a certain night of year.“

Draco’s heart sunk. “So… Hypothetically speaking, if someone digests the potion, he might have to wait for the whole year to be treated?”

“Exactly. I believe Professor Sprout mentions Nuntius Vernus in her seventh year curriculum.”

“That’s so interesting.” Draco tried to express the proverbial joy of learning. “But what if there’s still a year to go? The Treatise of Osburga says the results can be as bad as… as terminal insanity.”

“If both of the parties are available for regular contacts, the danger of insanity should not be a concern. The standard practice for this type of potions is to have the victims monitored at St. Mungo’s. They make sure the most immediate needs of the patients are met safely until the remedy is available.”

“Er… Thanks, Professor Snape. “ Draco’s brains were disintegrating further. He handed the book back to the teacher, picked up his book bag and turned around to leave. When his hand was already on the door handle, Draco heard Snape’s sarcastic voice. “Mr. Malfoy, I don’t think I need your notes on the potions.”

Did he give himself away? Draco snatched his parchments from the desk and darted out of the room.

After putting a good distance between himself and Snape‘s office, Draco halted and cussed profusely under his breath. Two startled first-year Slytherin boys ducked to the other side of the corridor and sped past him. He was burning to ravish Granger with all of his passion and madly aching to cast each and every Unforgivable Curse on Crabbe and Goyle. His homework for Monday was still largely undone and he saw no way he could do it in his muddled state of mind. Then his growling stomach reminded Draco that it was dinnertime.

******

The redheaded disaster of a wizard was blabbing about something, and Granger was faintly smiling in response, as the couple neared the Great Hall doors. It was already bad enough to lust for the unapproachable Mudblood, but seeing her in Weasel’s company made things indescribably worse. Draco lingered in the hallway because he was loath to meet with Weasel in the doorway. A gaggle of fourth-year girls put their heads together and giggled when the Gryffindor prefects came into the sight. The girls were loud enough for Draco to hear snippets of their gossips which disturbed him ever more.

******

Hermione lifted her eyes from her plate and glanced at Ron who was in exceptionally good spirits. She marvelled how a small but well-aimed bodily contact could elevate his moods so much. Between the shepherd’s pie and treacle tart Ron asked her to come to the boys’ dorm after the dinner and look over his Transfiguration essay. Hermione did her best to dodge his request.

She had to see Malfoy first. At the rate Hermione was having erotic fantasies, it was obvious that she stood very little chance of a restful sleep tonight. Her feeble attempts at getting more physical with Ron only inflamed her mind worse. It was clear that her brain was bent on substituting any hint of sex with Ron with rampant Malfoy imagery.

Hermione finished her dessert and tried to sneak away, but Ron had no inclination to let her off, and followed her to the exit.

In the doors they collided with Malfoy and his entourage: Crabbe and Goyle in enormous pink fur hats, apparently hexed dead to their heads, and ghostly pale Pansy, who was clutching Draco’s arm. The sight was comical, and Hermione could not refrain from a smile.

“Oi, Granger!” Draco shed Pansy off his arm and came near Hermione. “Heading to the library, over-brainy witch?”

Ron scowled at him and tried to get between Hermione and Draco. She had to tug at Ron’s sleeve to make him stay out of way.

“You deserve someone better, Granger, than this freckled shame of a wizard,” Draco sniggered. Crabbe and Goyle giggled slavishly, and Pansy produced a forced chuckle.

“Yes, I’m going to the library. You’d better mind your cow of a girlfriend,” Hermione slapped back. She was sure Malfoy would not let Pansy kill her for that one. Not today.

“Good, you don’t waste yourself on snogging him,” Draco nodded at furious Ron and gripped Pansy by her elbow. She threw a venomous look at Hermione but Draco pulled his girlfriend after him as he sauntered away.

******

Hermione’s head rested on her arms on the table. She managed to shake off Ron by telling him about having to consult a very boring book on Ancient Runes in the library. The lie made her feel guilty. Tired and exhausted from her struggle with herself, Hermione let the erotic fantasies wander freely through her apathetic mind. In her stupor she failed to hear the approaching steps.

Draco stared at the heap of brown hair for a few seconds. After a brief mental power burst during the dinner, his cognitive abilities were now severely impaired. He had a very hard time deciding on how to start the conversation. The least mind-taxing way would be to drag Granger into his lap, kiss her lips and grope her shamelessly. He picked up a long strand of her hair from her shoulder and wound it around his forefinger. It was an idiotic thing to do, but wasn’t the whole situation even more idiotic?

“Malfoy?” Hermione realized someone was pulling at her hair. “Oh, did Snape let you see the book?”

“Here.” Draco handed her the counterpotion recipe. “A crazy concoction to make.”

Hermione skimmed over the list of the ingredients which took no less than a foot of the parchment. “Boomslang skin, Nvembe vinegar - Slughorn should have these… St. John’s-Wort, belladonna, powdered coal - every apothecary has them… Buds of Alban Eilirenne, freshly harvested and mashed? What’s Alban Eilirenne?”

Draco told her everything he learned about Nuntius Vernus from Snape.
Hermione sat very still for a few seconds. Draco began to worry if the bad news had disabled her brain cells for good. He looked into her glazed eyes and patted her on her cheek for no real reason. The feel of her soft skin caused a stir in his body and he pulled closer to her on the bench.

“I.. I don’t know what to do... What a heck of a potion to make…” Hermione seemed to be talking to herself, her stare still unfocused. “I knew you always were bright. But I can‘t believe you made such a rare brew!”

“I ought to check out the remedies before making it. I’m sorry, Granger.” Draco was very strongly compelled to appease Hermione. “You’re so clever, we should be able to whip up the antidote in a jiffy once we’ve got all the ingredients.” Please, please don’t squeal to anyone, Granger. Let’s enjoy some good sex till the vernal equinox comes…

“I must go and report it to McGonagall.” Hermione rose from the bench.

Draco jumped to his feet and grabbed her by her shoulders. “All McGonagall can do is to put us both in St. Mungo’s and nothing more!”

“They should be able to fix it at St. Mungo’s!” Hermione made an effort not to give in to a hot wave of desire that rippled through her body again. Her knees were buckling and she already let herself lean against Malfoy’s chest.

“You think so? The only thing they can do is to let us shag as much as possible. On top of it, we’ll miss most of the school year!” His hips were now pressing against Granger’s soft bottom. He swallowed hard and continued, ”Think of it - everyone will be gossiping about our steamy affair, and then we’ll have to take a repeat year to catch up! I don’t think you‘ll stay as a prefect then!”

Hermione managed to collect herself and break free of Malfoy’s grip. She rushed down the aisle, her robes billowing behind her. Draco hurried along the wall behind the shelves to stay out of other students’ sight. He caught up with her in the corridor just outside the library entrance and followed her till they ended up in an isolated hallway. There Draco made his final dash and caught Granger by her hand. His desire was roaring inside him, and he had to silence it immediately. He pulled Hermione into a nook and shoved her against the wall.

Hermione was losing it all. Malfoy’s feverish breath was on her face, and in a second his lips were locked on hers. His tongue assaulted her mouth, and his hands groped her mercilessly. Her knees were giving in and she was sliding down the wall. Their tongues danced madly. Hermione realized her teeth were grazing his lower lip. The mental fog that had plagued her for the whole day began to scatter.

“Yo-ho-ho! Love‘s hot, sizzling hot! Snog her numb! Shag him dumb! Boo!” Golf balls rattled on the walls and floor. One of them hit Draco on his head painfully, and then a few more bounced off his back and shoulders. A ball landed on Hermione’s forehead. Maddened, Draco broke the kiss off, fired a spell at Peeves and swore fervently. This only intensified the shower of golf balls. Sobered, Hermione pushed Draco away and ran to the stairs to the Gryffindor Tower.

******

Once safely behind the curtains of her bed, Hermione muttered an incantation to cure her aching forehead and curled up under her duvet. Never had she felt so miserable. Only a small part of her homework for Monday was done, and her whole self was disintegrating under the effect of the potion again. Over and over she recalled the taste of Malfoy’s lips, the almost masochistic pleasure from his fingers abusing her breasts and his hot hardness rubbing against her inflamed lower belly. If to believe the Treatise of Osburga, the only way back to sanity was to have sex with the arrogant Slytherin snob. The thought of losing her virginity to him made Hermione simultaneously melt with desire and shudder with revulsion.

Everyone in the dorm was fast asleep, but Hermione was having another insomniac night. She crawled from under her duvet, put on a dressing gown, found her book bag in the dark and tiptoed to the door.

Harry and Ron lifted their heads from parchments when Hermione descended the stairs into the Common Room. No one else was in the room except her two friends.

“We’ve been missing you, Hermione!” Ron was genuinely glad to see her. “The Transfiguration essay is killing me. Can you have a look at it?”

“I’ve got my own homework to do, Ron!” Hermione was very short tonight.

“You’re crazy taking so many classes! Who would ever need the rusty Ancient Runes?”

“They are not rusty but very enlightening, Ron.“ Hermione sat down on a couch, determined to keep her distance from every male in Hogwarts. “The knowledge’s so enriching, and they really make your mind work!” As if her brains were really working today…

Harry threw unhappy glances at his friends. Apparently not in the mood to witness another round of their bickering, he gathered his belongings and departed for the dorm.

Ron plucked his parchments from the table and flopped down next to Hermione. Upon piling his essay pages in her lap he sidled up to her and threw his long arm around her shoulders with an audacious grin. Hermione froze. The memory of her encounter with Malfoy in the dark nook tore through her mind. Encouraged by her lack of resistance, Ron drew closer and was now pressing against her side.

“E-e-ek! Can you all leave me alone?” Hermione screeched like a mad cat. She pushed her befuddled friend away with all the force she could muster, and bolted up the stairs to her dorm.