Somewhere in the Middle

Sorry the first time I posted this I forgot the end tag for my italics.

“Did you have a nice trip, Hermione?” His voice was quiet yet foreboding.


~oOo~


Hermione looked to Lucius hoping for some support from the man, she was sorely disappointed. He bowed his head slightly at the two, and addressed them as he walked out the door, “I’ll leave you two kids alone.”

Hermione looked at Draco, feeling a bit apprehensive. He was staring at her so intently, she felt as if he was reading her very soul. He walked up to her, tersely grabbing her elbow, and half-lead her – half-drug her out of the traveling room’s door.



Draco’s abruptness completely stunned Hermione. She was completely flabbergasted as she was directed quickly down the hallway, her short legs working frantically to keep up with Draco’s long elegant strides. They were half-way down the hall before Hermione regained her senses digging her heals into the ground, “Draco! What is wrong with you?”


Draco turned to her never relinquishing his hold on her elbow, he took in her appearance. She was rather flushed whether it was from being angry or the brisk pace he had set, he was not sure. “We are going somewhere private where we can talk, Hermione.” He still had that eerie quite tone.

As he turned away from her to continue their trek Hermione wrenched her elbow free from his hand. “I am not going anywhere with you until you can calm down, and tell me what your bloody problem is – and quit dragging me around like rag doll!”

Draco took a deep calming breath, “Please, I would rather not have this conversation in the middle of the hall.” He gently hooked her arm in his own, and slowly escorted down the hall.

They entered the grandest ballroom Hermione had ever imagined. Tall marble pillars sat on the perimeter of a dance floor that appeared to be made of glass. The pillars appeared to extend forever into the impossibly high ceiling; which was charmed to appear as if it were the night sky, thousands of stars twinkled amongst the perpetually full moon. The dance floor was surrounded by a rich dark-green Persian rug, which had an intricate pattern woven through it in a deep-gold color. The symmetrical pattern seemed to move throughout the room, and Hermione could not determine whether or not the movement was an illusion.


Draco cleared his throat to gain her attention. He had calmed down considerable; the anger that seemed to ferment while she was out with his father was no longer consuming him.

She stood staring at him with her arms folded across her chest, she had no idea what she had done to anger him – but now her own hackles were up, how dare he treat her as if she were a child. She patiently waited for him to begin speaking, her chest slightly heaving in anticipation of the battle to come.


“I want to know everything – and I mean everything, that you and your little band of derelicts have gotten your selves into. Leave nothing out.” His voice was still quiet, but had lost most of its venom.

Hermione’s eyes narrowed, and an eyebrow rose. Her arms unfolded and her hands landed on her hips. Draco was certain the action was the equivalent of watching an animal’s hackles go up. What was that his mother told him - ah, yes… never approach an angry or frightened animal.

“I already have a big brother, Draco,” she was practically hissing at him, “You know the bloke, tall, dark-hair, with eyes similar to my own. There is nothing to tell, Malfoy, and I’ll be sure to ask the derelicts the next time I need assistance.”

“You will do nothing of the sort. You think Uncle Severus didn’t tell us, Hermione, you’re not given the directions to that entrance unless you frequent Knockturn Alley. He told us its location can only be revealed by shop owners – do they send you there alone, Hermione? Do you understand how foolish it is to travel there alone?”

“In case you haven’t noticed everything in my life has been a bit dangerous. Should I have laid down waiting for someone to rescue me, then?” She grew angrier with every word.

Both of their anger was manifesting itself, the untamed magic in the air was practically tangible. Energy crackled in the air creating a static charge that lifted the ends of their hair. Draco was the first to notice that unlike the usual feelings of tension and anxiety he experienced when raw emotional driven magic was released; he felt pulled to it – pulled to the source of it. It was like their magic was intermingling, dancing together in an unseen dance, but they could feel it weaving complex patterns between them.

“Believe it or not, I can take care of myself – and will not stand for having you demand information from me. If you can be rational maybe I will share, otherwise it is none of your business.” She started to brush past him and make her way to the door.



Draco quickly caught her as she reached the door. Grabbing her by the wrist; he quickly spun her around to face him. “That’s what you don’t understand, Hermione, it is my business. I am responsible for you!” He hissed at her as he backed her up against the wall.

Her eyes narrowing she asked, “What don’t I understand?”

His anger slightly abated as he spoke, although his tone was still quiet and a bit ominous, “The agreement to allow me to court you, Hermione, I am responsible for your welfare, as soon as you agreed the paperwork filed at the ministry. You don’t understand-“


He was cut-off by Hermione’s bark of patronizing laughter. “So, you think my brother did not explain anything to me?”

“You know.” Draco was practically trembling with rage, he had mentally calculated several different ways this conversation could go, and her knowing of the betrothal was not one of them – in retrospect, he should have figured she knew, she’s not the brightest witch of her age for nothing.


“Honestly, Draco.” Her chin jutted out in defiance. “It was a slight hint when you asked for my verbal consent. ‘I’ll need your express permission’” she mocked. I’m not some hapless simpering innocent fool, Draco.”

Draco snapped in a fit of unbridled jealousy. Innocent?


Thoughts of who could have touched her coursed through his head, the cogs in his mind working furiously to process the information. He had watched her for years, he was sure she was an innocent. He halted the unwelcome thoughts of Potter and Krum touching her by crashing his lips down on hers.

There was nothing gentle about this kiss; it was furious and angry, possessive and demanding - passionate. She gasped, and he took the opportunity to violently thrust his tongue into her mouth.


Hermione felt like she was being consumed. She found herself participating in a battle for dominance – using weapons that she was barley knowledgeable of. Their tongues dueled frantically - their teeth clashed- they both nipped and sucked hard enough to cause pain. She could hardly keep up the frenzied pace. Not willing to submit she continued to fight.

Each of their hands trailed hastily over the other – reaching, touching, scratching - seemingly lighting trails of fire in their wake. One of her hands found its way into his hair tangling itself in the fine tresses, using it as leverage to pull him more firmly against her. An involuntary reflex that Hermione was not aware existed had her leg hooking around his waist. She seemed to gain a momentary advantage in the battle as he let out a primal growl, and ground his erection into her jean clad center. He quickly regained forerunner, as she arched her back in response to the corresponding friction; grinding her core harder against him; causing sparks of pleasure to shoot through the both of them.

All the while their magic was reaching out to the others, pulling them closer, melding together and encompassing them both fully. Neither of them noticed the quick appearance of Mipsy in the room, or the fact that she laid a small bowl filled with earth and some lavender sprigs in the center of the room.

Draco’s hand made its way around her back seeking out the hem of her shirt on its own accord, as he pulled her other leg up around him with his free one. She purred at the increase in sensation, and as his hand came up to cup her cheek, she found herself submitting to him. Submitting not because she lost the battle, but submitting because she wanted to. She wanted to bask in the sense of security that the simple act of having his arm wrapped around her created, and the warm feeling of his thumb tracing up and down her spine. She wanted to grant him permission to protect her and love her. Gods, she wanted him.


As he felt her body relax against his, Draco started to slow their kiss. Savoring in the small gasps and mewling noises she made as he continued to rotate his hips against her. Moving down to her neck tasting her smooth creamy skin, delighting in her responsiveness to his ministrations. Reclaiming her lips, he kissed her gently, in a way that spoke of adoration and devotion. Taking the time to explore her with a deep and loving reverence.

As he felt her body start to tense he increased the speed of his thrust; murmuring loving encouragement into her ear, “That’s it, love, relax – let go.”


She gasped as her body began to tremble, “Please… please.” A breathy plea was all she could manage as her head fell to his shoulder.

“Just let go – I have you, love, let go.” He continued to murmur his support. He felt her entire body tense, and she let out a small sound that somehow managed to combine a loud gasp and quiet squeal into one delightful noise, which was almost Draco’s undoing. He continued to hold her whispering soothing endearments to her, as she came down from her euphoria. Small tremors slowly subsided as her body became completely limp in his arms.


Moments later the door to the ball room opened. Theo walked in with Blaise, who was followed by Cissa. Draco tensed for a moment before gently encouraging Hermione’s legs to slide down his own. His back to the door he held his body so Hermione was kept from their view. He pulled his robes around the side of her to keep her disheveled state hidden from them; and locked her in his protective embrace, his one hand running soothingly down her hair as she kept her forehead pressed against his chest.


Theo was furious with his friend, “What the hell is going on here!” There had to be some explanation, his friend would not have his little sister pinned up against a wall like some common tart.

Theo was to angry to notice the thick permeating sensation of magic in the air, but both Cissa and Blaise almost faltered under the weight of it. Cissa watched the couple with wide eyes.

Draco could practically feel Hermione’s embarrassment, and growled fiercely at the others, “Leave!”

The atmosphere in the room seemed to thicken with his anger. As Theo opened his mouth Blaise grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room.

Theo looked at his friend annoyed, “What are you – “

Blaise looked at his friend, “Theo, Draco looked like he was ready to kill you. Have you ever seen him like that with a bird before? Did you see how he was trying to hide her? Gods, did you feel the energy in that room?”


Theo looked to his Aunt a deep look of concentration etched into his brow.

Cissa took a deep breath and started down the hall, “We need to find Lucius and your father, Theo. I believe the betrothal contract was just made indissoluble.”

Draco ran his hands up and down Hermione’s arms, “There gone now, love, relax.”

“Oh gods, Draco, they’re- they’re going to know what we were doing.” She whined to him.

“No they won’t, and if they do I am sure they won’t say anything.” His silky voice was soothing, and his warm breath hitting her ear caused her to shiver. Draco couldn’t help the small grin that tugged at his cheeks.


“What about you, Draco.” She asked him timidly.


He stared at the top of her head confused, “Me what?”


She continued to hide her head in his chest which muffled her voice a bit as she spoke. “You know, did you… or do you need to – um, finish?”


His eyes went wide with her question, and he felt his flaccid member twitch in response. Gods, how he would love to – um, finish! Reigning in his libido, he gently lifted her chin so she would look at him. He found the blush on her cheeks endearing, and he eyed her carefully before asking, “Hermione, have you ever been with anyone before?” She shook her head, as he watched her blush become even more distinguishable.


His forehead crinkled. “But, I thought you said you were not and innocent, I thought that… Potter or Krum-“


Her eyes widened for a second before she quietly explained. “I meant innocent in that I have seen things, not that way.”

He placed a quick kiss to her lips and smiled, “Thank the gods, I found the thought of another man’s hands on you a bit… distasteful.” In all honesty he was seeing red. He felt ready to kill the man who thought to touch what belonged to him; but being a smart man he decided it was prudent to withhold that bit of information from Hermione.

She smiled at him and mumbled, “But, you didn’t answer my question.”


His smile grew larger, “Don’t worry about me, Hermione, my mother and Theo quickly took care of my problem by walking into the room.” He cringed a bit at the thought, his erection quickly retracted at the sound of Theo’s voice – it would have been less dramatic to dip his boys in a bucket of ice cold water.

Draco called for Mipsy after he pulled out his wand and casted a cleansing and freshening charm on the both of them. The wrinkles in their clothes feel loose, the dampness in Hermione’s knickers faded away, and the slight smell of sex that seemed fill the air around them disappeared.


“Mipsy, can you bring Hermione a set of robes, please.” The elf snapped her fingers at Draco’s request, and a light-weight grey robe appeared in her hand. The elf quickly handed the robes to Draco, and after a quick curtsey popped out of existence, before either Draco or Hermione had a chance to thank her. Draco assisted Hermione into her robe and placed a small kiss to her forehead.

“Shall, we go face our foes?” He asked her as he offered her his arms.

Hermione tugged his arm before they could leave the room, “Draco, were you really that mad at me for going to Knockturn Alley?”


He let out a long suffering sigh, he had gotten completely off track from the whole reason he brought her into the ballroom. “Not mad at you per se, but mad at the situation in general. I may have over-reacted a bit. But, when I thought about you traveling there alone.” He paused to look at her and rub his thumb over her cheek. “I am not suggesting you can’t defend yourself, but I can’t condone you putting yourself in the position where you need to defend yourself either. Did they have you going there alone?”

She nodded, “The first couple of times I went, Harry really had no idea where I was going. He flipped after he found out, but he did not have the opportunity to go with me either. Terry came along one time, but he was so nervous he attracted way too much attention. So, I continued to go alone and didn’t really bring it up to Harry, I think he assumed Terry was going with me.”

“Just promise me you’ll come to me in the future, even if I get mad – I will still help you in the end, it may not be in under your terms, but we will figure something out.” He placed another kiss on her forehead, and came to the realization that he was having a difficult time with not touching her.


She nodded her consent to him, before placing her arms around his neck, stretching up on her tip-toes, and kissing him soundly on the lips.

~oOo~


Lucius sat in the drawing room scowling at Severus. Severus was being completely ridiculous, acting as if his niece was a piece of glass. Alex looked like he was not sure what to make of the day’s events, and Bella looked proud of the little witch. Tom looked a bit pensive, he also was unsure on whether to be proud of the witch or concerned for his granddaughter.

Lucius broke the silence in the room, “Honestly, Severus, you act as if we sat in my mother’s garden transfiguring flowers into butterflies when we were her age.”

Abraxas Malfoy, who had taken up residency in one of the landscapes started to laugh. “No, Lucius, if my memory serves me the two of you were rallying troops for the first war, no matter how often Tom and I told you two boys not too.”

Lucius smiled fondly at the memory of his younger days.

Bella looked at Severus keenly. Bella tended to be an audacious woman, but for all her brashness she often was able to hit the crux of an issue with a maddening accuracy. When she spoke it was quiet and with an authority that commanded the attention of the room. “She’s not your mother, Severus. Neither is Isabella for that matter, they are strong women and even stronger witches.”


“My moth-“ Severus started speaking and was quickly cut off by Bella.


“Your mother was frail, and you were a child, it is not your fault you could not protect her. What happened to Isabella and Hermione is not your fault either. But, they are not going to brake, you need to understand that. I am willing to bet this over protective behavior will have Hermione hiding things from you, and Isabella hexing you. It’s funny that the same things you bragged about regarding Hermione’s intelligence when she was your pupil, now have you weary as your niece.”

Severus’s response was to place his head in his hands and try to ignore the truth in Bella’s words.

Tom sighed, “She’s right, Severus, your mum was frail, your grandmother said she was always that way, even as a child. The first to get sick, and always came down with things harder than the other children. It took years for her to recover from Tobias’s treatment of her.”


The memories of Hespia Prince trying to explain to him that Severus would refuse to visit with his grandmother in fear of leaving his mother alone with Tobias flooded his mind. He should have realized Severus was holding himself accountable for everything Hermione and Isabella had to endure. He couldn’t understand at the time why they just didn’t force the boy to stay with them; that was until he witnessed the eleven year-old apparate wandless back to his home at Spinners-end. Which ultimately lead to Tom’s confrontation with the very drunk Tobias. Tom struggled with the drunken fool when he tried to grab Severus, and Tobias lost his footing, falling down the steps to his untimely death – or timely death. Tom was fairly certain he would have killed the man anyway, and Tobias falling to his death was just a fortunate accident. When they called the muggle police he couldn’t muster the energy to even fake being remorseful. It seemed that the muggle authorities agreed with him, having been called out to the home several times by neighbors. He heard one of the officers mumble something about bad rubbish, and the death was quickly pronounced an accident.


Since Bella seemed to be the only one looking at the situation with an open mind, Tom asked her, “How do you think we should proceed.”




Bella smiled, a calculating smile that had the tendency to put the men that knew her on edge. “I think we should put her in the dueling chamber, and see what she is made of. You know she is intelligent, and we know of the things she has gotten herself into – or out-of over the years. You are underestimating her because she is your granddaughter, and I think it is natural to want to keep her safe, but I think it is foolish not to have her prepared.”


Severus interrupted jumping out of his seat, “She panicked, Bella, the night the Order was after her, and I don’t think it was the first time. Potter became extremely protective of her after the battle at the Ministry, and we still haven’t been able to figure out why the old fool wants her to begin with – She is still a target!”


Bella addressed him calmly, “The way Isabella explains it, she was given virtually no information on the night they ran. All Isabella was able to tell her was not to trust the Order; and her trust in her mother was what got her out of that situation alive. Given the circumstances, I think a bit of panic is reasonable. I also think that Potter’s protection of her is extremely practical, they are a small group of four, and the one he trust the most was injured; she also seems to be the primary researcher of the group. It would be a huge blow to Potter if he were to lose her.”

Their conversation was interrupted by Cissa entering the room with Theo and Blaise in tow.

“I believe that betrothal contract had been made unbreakable.” Cissa blurted out, a large smile on her face.


Lucius raised an eyebrow to his wife – she seemed almost giddy, and he was fairly certain giddy was an emotion the Black women did not do.

She continued on, “You should have felt the magic in the room, it was over-powering – I am almost certain that their magic bonded… you should have seen how protective Draco was, Lucius.”


Lucius interrupted his wife by calling out for a house-elf, “Trinkit!”

The elf appeared not seconds after being called, “Master is calling.”

“Yes, Trinkit. Have there been any reports of a magical bonding from the other elves.”

The elf nodded vigorously, “Mipsy is saying that the young master and her misses is bonding. She set earth and flowers out for the goddess, she is saying we is to be leaving them alone.”

“Thank you, Trinkit, that is all.” Lucius nodded to the elf as it bowed to him and popped out of the room.

Theo looked at the group, “What are you talking about? I thought the stories of magical bindings were fairy tales.”

Alex shook his head at his son, “No, it is real. It is not commonly spoken of or even written about because the strength of the bond is dependent on the power of the witch and the wizard involved. You must understand, Theo, that the power displayed by the wizards in this room-“ Alex was cut off by Bella clearing her throat, which caused Alex to roll his eyes as he continued, “the witches and wizards in this room is greater than the average witch and wizard.”


Theo nodded, his grandfather had explained this when he was eleven, and he couldn’t understand why the students at school seemed magically inferior to him.

Blaise asked the question that was on the tip of Theo’s tongue, “Why is the contract unbreakable?”

Tom spoke up, “It can be broken, but not without the consent of the patriarchs of both of the families.”


Cissa interrupted, “But, they will not want to break it, not a bond between two mages with their power. The bond will be to strong and it would not have occurred if they were not compatible – and we will not give our consent to have the contract dissolved!”

Alex spoke heatedly to Narcissa, “I will not have my daughter forced into anything against her will; she has had too many decisions forcefully taken from her.”

Tom spoke over the group, “Whether or not we need to dissolve the agreement is a moot point. The fact is there is little chance either of them will want it dissolved.”


“In my opinion, I wouldn’t inform either of them of the bonding then.” Theo suggested, even if he was angry at Draco for having his sister in such a compromising position; he wanted what was best for her in the long run.

Blaise sent his friend a small smile, he was afraid he would not see past his anger and oppose the two.

Severus raised a questioning eyebrow to his nephew, Theo explained to them, “If they find out, Draco, is going to feel like he forced Hermione into something and that he is no better than Weasley. Hermione, she will feel forced and will resent her choice be taken from her. If it is true that neither of them will oppose it then we should just leave it alone.”

Everyone in the group seemed to be silently agreeing with his reasoning. Alex voiced his opinion, “I agree that makes sense, she has a good year before we talk weddings anyway.”


“Actually, she is legally seventeen. We had Percy check the records.” Tom explained to the group.

Alex look confused, “But the charms did not break until she reached magical maturity.”

No one noticed Hermione’s and Draco’s appearance at the door to the room as Snape began to explain. “It appears that once she turned sixteen she turned seventeen, well actually two days after she turned sixteen. Th-“


“That has to be the most absurd thing I have ever heard.” Hermione interrupted from the doorway and made her way into the room.

Snape nodded, “I agree, but that fact remains you added a little under a year to your life using that time-turner. There is only one other case of a minor altering their age significantly. There was a child who was accidentally sent into the past with its mother, it took them two years to catch up to their time line. For whatever reason – and I believe it is still being studied by the Department of Mysteries, so don’t be surprised if you are eventually contacted – the child that aged two years did not meet their magical maturity until they were eighteen. However, it was the exact date and time the child would have turned sixteen. At the time they made the decision that in the event this happened again, they would not register the change in age until the child met their magical maturity.”

Hermione smiled, and Draco had to fight the urge to cringe. He knew that look, he wasn’t sure how a smile could say so much; but he could practically hear her taunting in a sing-song voice – I know something you dooon’t… and I’m about to drive my point hooommme.

“So, I am of age?” Hermione continued before anyone could answer. “Oh, and I am not the last of my line. I mean really, I am not even responsible to carry on the family name. So, when are we attacking the Ministry?”

Cissa had to bite her tongue in order to stop herself from blurting out – but, you will be the mother of the next Malfoy heir.

Bella could barely contain her smug grin – she knew they underestimated the girl.

Lucius looked rather impressed with her quick thinking. He eyed his son a bit apprehensively, the poor kid was looking at her like she grew a second head.

Alex, Theo, and Tom went pale at her words, and were all searching for valid reasons to detain her. Both Tom and Alex were thinking along the line of – because I’m your fathergrandfather, and what I say goes.

Severus was considering locking her in a tower, but remembered all of the muggle fairy tales his mother read to him as a child – damn, the princess always escapes… but, he was sure if Draco was the prince he would not offer her assistance until the battle was over.

Draco broke the stunned silence, “Hermione, I thought we agreed you would not put yourself into unnecessary danger.” His jaw clenched as he ground out his words. He couldn’t believe she was totally disregarding their entire conversation.


She looked at him a bit wistfully. Draco couldn’t help thinking she was doing an eerie impersonation of Luna. She began speaking to him as if he were a child, her tone patronizing, “No, Draco, we agreed we would talk about it.”


He continued to clench his jaw, as he practically growled at her, “I don’t remember discussing this, and I don’t recall giving my permission to carry out this fool’s errand you insist on going on!”

Blaise Zabini kicked back with a smirk on his face, he has always heard the stories regarding Hermione’s temper, but never really witnessed it firsthand. He was going to enjoy the show – now, all he needed was some Cockroach Clusters and he would be set.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Draco, “I do not recall agreeing to receive your permission for anything. Really, Draco, if you want a complacent little tart, might I suggest courting someone else… maybe Lavender Brown is still available.” She did her best to keep her voice even, “oh, and do stop grinding your teeth, dear, you’ll give yourself a headache.”

Bella almost laughed out loud. No, her nephew would not be looking for a complacent little tart, if the sexual tension between the two of them was anything to go by. Draco looked like he couldn’t decide whether he wanted to choke the girl or throw on the table and have at her.

“Actually, Hermione, we were discussing having you train for a bit in the dueling chamber, see what you are made of – if you will.” Bella thought she would intervene on behalf of the stupid men in the room. She knew nothing pissed a woman off more than telling her what she can or cannot do – especially when their reasoning is weak, and it goes against all of the rules applied to the males. “If you do well, I see no reason not to include you with the young men that will be on stand-by.”

Tom looked at Bella and grunted his agreement to her logic. Bella had a good point earlier, and if they kept trying to coddle Hermione she would start hiding things from them.

Draco’s nostrils flared but he knew better then to argue with Lord Riddle’s final word. He knew she was quick with her wand and could only hope she falters during the training exercise. Perhaps he could suggest having Dolohov participate.

Hermione looked at Lucius, “Can I have my book, please.” Lucius bowed his head towards Tom.

Tom looked at his granddaughter, “I want to check the book for curses. You will have it in the morning before you go to Greece.” Hermione opened her mouth to protest but her grandfather explained before she could begin, “All of the operations will be stationed at Greece, only a small group will remain here.”


Hermione nodded before turning to leave the room. Theo, Blaise, and Draco followed her out into the gardens.

Alex looked at the group and sighed, “It appears my daughter inherited Severus’s stubborn streak.” The group chuckled and the tension seemed to release from the room.

Abraxas called down from his portrait, “I would like the chance to meet her.”

Severus rolled his eyes at the painting – he was certain the painting did not realize he was not real.

~oOo~


Hermione took her seat by the tree in the garden, moments later Blaise and Theo sat beside her. She was surprised when she felt Draco sit behind her, and she stiffened a bit when he grabbed her waist and pulled her back to sit within the confines of his legs. She didn’t protest as he encouraged her to lie back against his chest. She rested her head on his chest and listened to the lulling sound of his heart beat. She couldn’t help thinking maybe this was his plan- get her completely relaxed before he strikes.


After what seemed like hours of tense silence, but in reality was only minutes, Hermione finally spoke, “Are you mad?”

Both Blaise and Theo’s head snapped up to look at Draco. Draco was not angry, he did realize that if he were in her position he would have wanted to go as well – it didn’t mean he was happy about the situation – he just couldn’t find it in himself to be angry. He also didn’t want to spend his time fighting with the stubborn witch, especially if they were potentially going to battle in two days.

He shook his head at her as she craned her neck to get a better view of him. “No, I’m not mad. But, you will promise to stay with me if we end up going to the Ministry.” He spoke quietly to her, staring into her eyes intently, and completely ignoring the presence of Theo and Blaise.


“I can do that.” She responded softly and gave him a small smile. Leaning up on his chest she placed a soft kiss on his lips, followed by a longer one as she turned herself for better leverage. As she began to deepen the kiss, Theo loudly cleared his throat.


“That is enough of that. I would tell you to rent a room, but honestly, Draco, if you rent a room with my sister I might kill you.” There was little humor in Theo’s tone as he spoke.


Draco couldn’t give a crap about his friend’s snarky attitude –bugger Theo. The fact that Hermione had initiated two kisses today, and their episode in the ballroom – which was magnificently reminiscent of his erotic dreams - he was ready to crow from the rooftops, Theo be damned.

It wasn’t long before Hermione was lulled to sleep by the steady thumping of Draco’s heart. Draco looked at Theo, “She sleeping?”

Theo nodded, his forehead lined with concern. “Yeah, Mipsy said she has been having nightmares. She won’t take anything for them, she told Mipsy she wouldn’t be able to wake-up if something happened.”


Draco nodded, he really could not wait to get his hands on Weasley. She should not be worried that something is going to happen while in his home. But, after the incident he could understand her apprehension.

Blaise interrupted Draco’s mental musings. “So, how mad do you think she is going to be when she realizes Riddle had no plans of holding the last of their lines back.”

Theo just shrugged, “Not my problem. Grandfather is on his own with that one.”


Blaise laughed, “Have you heard anything about the Weasel?”

Theo shook his head, “No, my Uncle said he has been hiding in an unplottable residence since the challenge has been issued. House of bravery my ass.”


Draco looked at the two, “If our group is sent into the Ministry we all keep an eye on her, yeah?”


Theo and Blaise both nodded. Blaise chimed in, “You know, I bet with Hermione going Daphne is going to want in.”

Draco laughed, “Yeah, then my Aunt Bella will have her army of witches, and take over the world.”

The other two men started laughing, none of them sure Draco was actually joking.

~oOo~

Tom walked into the dungeon with Severus and Alex, and walked over to the cage Samuel was in. They had a healer take care of his wounds and provide him with a nourishment potion. They wanted him in good form when they gave him the potion.


Samuel sneered at the men, and Tom waved his wand and quietly intoned “Crucio.” The men watched with a morbid fascination as the muggle screamed and writhed on the floor. Tom only held the curse for a moment before releasing him. He held out his hand to the muggle, the vile of potion laying flat in his palm, “Drink it.”


Samuel shook his head furiously, “I’m not drinking anything you offer!”

Alex’s face lit up in a cold and vindictive smile. “Oh, you will. It is time for you to face the consequences of you actions. Imperio.” Wand pointed at the man, he instructed him to drink the potion.


They watched as the man instantly became paranoid, his eyes frantically searching the area around him. The man sat back in his chair still nervously scanning the room, he cringed when he heard the sound of Snape’s voice, “It will take about thirty minutes for the potion to take full effect. We should come back after dinner.”


~oOo~


Dinner was rather subdued, and Hermione could not figure out why. Theo seemed like he could hardly sit still, and was ready to jump out of his seat at any moment. It was extremely odd given his normally calm composure. Snape was motionless with the exception of the graceful movements of his fork – really, how can the man even appear graceful while eating. The only thing disturbing Hermione about him was the fact that his face was completely wrapped in an emotionless mask; which really she would not have found odd a week ago – but, now she knew that he is capable of a broad range of emotions. Her father had left the table no less than three times already and he looked as if he was getting ready to leave again. Lucius and her grandfather looked happy – in an unhinged kind of way, with an odd type of expression that only the mentally deranged could ever seem to achieve.

The only person seemed to acting normal was Draco, who was now staring at Gambol outrageously. She looked at him and he raised an amused eyebrow.


She huffed all though she could not hide her small smile as she looked at the kitten. The thing really looked ridiculous, the skinny little kitten’s swollen stomach protruded abnormally, his skin pulled taut trying to stretch fully in order accommodate its engorged stomach. “I may be spoiling him a bit, but the poor little guy was starving.” She scratched Gambol’s head, and smiled as he pushed his head into her palm.


This caused Lucius to look to the kitten, and call out, “Gods, what have you been feeding that thing.”

Hermione just shrugged, she wasn’t about to tell him she gave the kitty whatever it begged for. By the amused look on Draco’s face she was sure he knew – especially since he started feeding the Kneazle scraps from the table.


Draco escorted her to her room after super, suggesting that she get some rest since they were leaving early the next morning. Hermione could not figure out why she was getting the brush off, but decided she was tired enough not to care.


~oOo~

The men were lined up in the dungeon, watching the disgusting man scream and cry out in pain. Tom took the time to create a schedule so the man would be watched at all times - he didn’t want to miss his death, and at least if one person witnessed it they could all watch it in the Pensieve later.

~oOo~


Draco woke in the middle of the night feeling a bit uneasy. He tried going back to sleep and tossed and turned for several minutes before having an overwhelming urge to check on Hermione. He grabbed his wand and jumped out of be quickly – he had been raised to never ignore his instincts.


Crossing the hall and with his wand drawn, he pushed her door open without bothering to knock. He was a bit dismayed to see Hermione sitting up in bed, with Mipsy trying to force a potion on her. He could only assume it was dreamless sleep as he took in Hermione’s appearance. She looked frighteningly vulnerable, her eyes looked panicked, her facial expression was tense, and her skin glistened with a thin sheen of sweat.


“Mipsy, can you get me a warm wet cloth, please.” Draco spoke quietly to the elf, who nodded her consent.


Hermione met his eyes and she felt like crying, she didn’t want him to see her like this, she didn’t want to be this scared from a stupid dream. Draco approached her bed taking the seat next to it and pulling it close enough that his knees hit the mattress. He didn’t say anything, and when Mipsy handed him the cloth he took it and gently started to wipe the sweat off of Hermione’s face.


When he finished he placed a kiss to her forehead, “Do you want to talk about it?”His voice was warm and compassionate.


She shook her head not trusting her voice.


He smoothed back her hair, “You should have woken me or Theo, either of us would have sat with you, love.” He was looking at her intently his eyes soft and full of concern. “You need to trust me Hermione. I won’t push you to talk about your dreams, but I don’t want you sitting alone like this either.”

Hermione nodded slowly, “Their about Ron, and I can’t get away from him.” She spoke softly so much so that Draco had to strain to hear her. She adverted her eyes looking down at her hands, and missed the flash of rage the crossed Draco’s face.

“Weasley is going to get nowhere near you, love.” He brought his hand up to caress her cheek. “Will you take the potion if I stay?”

She blushed a bit, “I don’t think I will need the potion if you stay.” She recalled her peaceful nap in the garden, although she was pretty sure Draco had no plans of getting into the bed with her. He’d end up castrated if someone found him in the morning.


He smiled and pulled the chair so it was parallel with the bed, taking her hand in his he warned her, “If you don’t fall back sleep or if you have more nightmares you take the potion.” His tone broke no argument. She turned on her side facing him and brought their hands up so she could snuggle him as much as possible with him in the chair next to her. They both feel asleep shortly after, Hermione content to have Draco watch over her.

A/N

Thank you all for the reviews. I do have to apologize, I realize that my grammar can be – um… weak, and sometimes my spelling is a bit… off? I do try to read through and correct as many mistakes as I can, believe me you would be completely appalled if you read the ‘rough’ version. But, my fear is that if I acquire a beta at this point, I will lose my muse – I know… I know it sounds weak, but it has happened to me before. Again I will try to do better with my corrections. Although I did have to laugh when I caught that I actually posted ‘elegant bowel’ not ‘elegant bow’.

Again thank you for the reviews. I truly appreciate every one of them, and they give me the courage to continue posting.