Souls Collide

Title: Souls Collide

Author: Luna

Feedback: Loved and appreciated…send it to ambersgrrl@yahoo.com

Archive: Full Moon Romper Room, Tainted Fiction, Forbidden Desires, and Luna’s Night Moves…anyone else, please just ask.

Fandom: Harry Potter

Rating: NC-17 (just to be on the safe side)

Type: Challenge Response

Pairings: Hermione/Draco

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and Warner Brothers Entertainment do not authorize this author. All characters that you recognize belong to J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Publishing, and/or Warner Brothers Entertainment. Nothing is being gained from this work of fiction.

Summary: Everything’s changing and nothing makes sense except her. He needs her more than he needs anything. Will she finally see just how perfect they are for one another or will she leave him languishing away in hell?

Author’s Note: Yes, it’s another Veela challenge fic and I’ve got to say that there are far too few of them out there! Seeing as it is it’s going to be slightly AU, or maybe more so. Okay, to be honest this is going to be completely AU. I’m going to be using these characters as I see fit. Not going to be going against their personalities too much but if you don’t like that PLEASE STOP READING NOW!

Anything else: Okay, I know that I've neglected this, and a great many other stories. And for that I deeply and humbly apologize. I have put a new writing system into place, which I hope will keep me updating everything in a more timely fashion. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that this works out.
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Chapter Eight

Hermione stared at the dazzling pinpoints of light outside her bedroom window. It was currently open allowing a gentle summer breeze to ruffle the sheers hanging over the panes. She loved this time of day best. The world, it seemed to her, was ready to cast off its burdens and be at peace. She was so busy during the day that evenings were usually the only time to she had to relax and unwind.

It had taken her the rest of the afternoon to tell Ron and Harry her story. She had known it wouldn't be pleasant but she was shocked at how difficult it was to get the boys to see reason.

They had been convinced that she was somehow under an Imperius curse. After enduring hours of them trying to lift said curse they had conceded that perhaps it wasn't a curse at all. It had only gotten worse from there. They had jumped from one fantastically wild idea to another until she had finally resorted to a Silencio to get the pair to stop.

Her ears still rang from the blistering set down she had given the boys. It had gone something like, “Now that I have your undivided attention,” she snapped coldly. “I'd like to get some things straight here. Number one,” she began ticking items off on her fingers. “I have not taken leave of my senses. Number two, I am not under some kind of obscure curse, charm, or spell. Number three, I am a young woman that knows her own mind. So the pair of you coming in here acting as if I were some bloody child is beyond ridiculous!”

Chest heaving her amber colored eyes dared either boy to be stupid enough to say anything when she uttered the counter curse. Wisely both young men had kept silent as they tried to digest all they had been told that day. She had pointed a finger toward the front room. Harry and Ron both scurried from the kitchen still silent.

It had taken twenty minutes of banging around the kitchen before she had felt calm enough to once again face her friends. She loved them both dearly but some days they were dumber than a Blast-Ended-Skrewt. As she entered the other room she carried a tray of cookies along with three glasses of milk. Setting the tray on the coffee table between them she offered them a sheepish smile. “Listen, I'm sorry for yelling at you both. I can't say anything in my defense except that I'm under a great deal of strain right now. I need you both right now...I really don't want to fight with you or have you hate me...I couldn't bear that. I just...” she trailed off picking nervously at her fingernails.

Harry was the first to find his voice after her heartfelt apology. “Hermione, you should know by now that we're not going anywhere. I can't say that I'm happy to hear about you and Malfoy but if you can't get out of it you can't get out of it.”

The brunette witch wanted to cry. He didn't really understood what she had been trying to tell him. She turned to Ron hoping that, for once, he would at least have a clear idea about what was happening but his encouraging nod quickly dashed those thoughts.

“Boys, listen to me, really listen to me,” she implored them. “I have a choice; Malfoy, Draco does not. That means I could live to find another to be my mate or choose to ignore the calling all together. Draco,” and here Hermione could admit that it still felt weird to refer to him by his given name. “Has none at all. Without me he will just cease to be.”

“You mean no more Draco Malfoy to ever darken the halls of Hogwarts,” Ron had asked a bit too enthusiastically.

Hermione shot to her feet appalled by his lack of caring for his fellow man. “Ronald Weasley how can you be so heartless as to wish that on someone,” she shrieked raising a hand to forestall any other damaging statements he might make. “Draco has never been kind to me, has in fact been unaccountably cruel, but even I would not condemn him to that kind of existence!”

Ron jumped to his feet as well mouth opened to say something to make this situation even worse when Harry hit him with the silencing spell. He knew that their friend was just too kind hearted to ever make anyone suffer because of or for her. He distinctly remembered her S.P.E.W. campaign to free the house-elves. “Don't worry 'Mione,” the dark haired young man assured her. “I'll explain it to him.”

Hermione swallowed nervously her eyes watering. “But do you understand Harry,” she had to know the answer before either left the house. She had to know that at least one of them understood why she felt compelled to do this.

Emerald green eyes bored into a honey colored gaze. “Yeah 'Mione, I understand. I don't like it but I do understand.” He had enveloped her in a hug whispering that it would be all right before he had dragged a wildly gesticulating Ron out of the Granger home.

Sighing Hermione turned her back on the usually calming scene before her eyes. There wasn't much she could really do about Ron's reaction. He and Malfoy had hated each other upon sight as boys of eleven. Deep down Hermione suspected that it was a class issue that separated the two boys, a case of the Haves against the Have-Nots.

She had hoped that he had matured to a point where he could overcome his long standing hatred of the Slytherin if only for her sake. Apparently that was too much to ask for considering his reaction this afternoon. Now she hoped that Harry was able to knock some sense into her friend before she lost him.

Absently she sank down on her bed scratching behind Crookshanks' ears. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess and she could feel the beginnings of a terrific headache coming on. The ginger bandy legged cat mewled softly as if saying that she should take care of herself first before worrying about things she had no control over.

Briefly she hugged the cat to her chest burying her nose in his silken fur. Letting him go she watched as he haughtily walked from the room tail flicking from side to side as he left. Sighing she decided to try a nice hot bubble bath hoping that would ease the tension that was slowly knotting up her body.

Wearily she walked to the bathroom glancing at her parents' closed door. From behind the wooden barrier she could hear her father's soft snores. She guessed it was later than she had thought. Still she didn't bother to keep the noise down as that would awaken her parents as surely as a marching band coming through their bedroom.

Turning on the taps she tested the water before putting the stopper in the drain. She took her favorite jasmine scented bubble bath off a shelf over the toilet. Pouring a generous amount into the water she stripped the clothes from her body making sure to place them in the hamper to be washed.

Sinking into the fragrantly hot water Hermione sighed with pleasure as her eyes slipped shut. Resting her head against the porcelain she floated for a moment letting the warmth from her bath soothe her tired and achy body.

Leisurely she reached out grabbing the small bathing poof and coating its mesh with a liberal dollop of body wash. She cleaned her body with mechanical gestures designed to get her through the task as quickly as possible so that she could enjoy her bath before the water cooled.

Her eyes were heavy as she pulled the stopper with her toes letting the tub drain. She grabbed a fluffy towel off the rack wrapping it around her body as she made her way back to her room. Dropping the towel on the floor near the door to be taken back to the in the morning, she yawned hugely.

The bath had done wonders for her and she almost crawled between the sheets without bothering to don even a t-shirt. However, knowing that her father may be asked to fetch her for breakfast had her grabbing one of his flannel work shirts hanging on the back of the door.

Rubbing at her eyes she stumbled in the direction of her bed. She flung the covers back gratefully sliding in as she pulled them back over her body. Her lids fluttered fitfully almost as if her body were fighting the needed slumber. Before long her deep even breaths were the only sound in her small room.

Hermione laid very still not really sure what had caused her to wake. Her eyes were mere slits as she strained her ears listening for something that would tell her what had brought her out of a sound sleep. Sure that she had just imagined the sounds she snuggled down intending to surrender to oblivion once again when she heard it.

It was only a rustle of shrubbery but it instantly jerked her back to consciousness. At that moment she realized that she was no longer in her bed at home but under the twinkling stars in the middle of some dense forest. The hand under her head curled into a useless fist as she became aware that she had left her wand lying on the nightstand by her bed.

Mentally cursing herself for being careless enough to leave her wand so far out of reach she failed to notice a pair of luminous eyes watching her with a bemused expression. She was brought back to the present as she watched a shadow dart from one dark spot to another. The only thing she could clearly make out was glowing silver eyes.

A muffled chuckle brought her upright as she tried in vain to make out anything other than the eyes. She soon gave up as she realized that the fragile moonlight didn't extend far enough to penetrate the gloom surrounding the glowing orbs. Glancing around she tried to get the lay of the land so that she could figure out exactly where she had ended up.

There was another deep bass chuckle that had her heart racing for reasons that she couldn't explain. Her cinnamon colored head whipped back in the direction of those eerily glowing eyes. Rolling into a crouch she readied herself for anything the creature might try.

Those haunting eyes crept closer and she was given the impression that whatever it was happened to be human, or at least could take human form. Her nimble mind tried to find the name of the things that it could possibly be. It was hard to think though when her body was coiled with the fight or flight instinct.

“Pretty pixie, you know the game,” the voice rumbled in a timbre that told her it was male.

“I-I- I d-don't know what g-game you're t-t-talking about,” she stammered out her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest. There was something familiar about that voice and if she'd been calmer she might have been able to place it.

“Of course you do,” the voice assured her. “You're already playing.”

Hermione's eyes widened as the first hints of true fear began to spread within her. Her amber colored gaze glanced first left then right before refocusing on those glowing silver orbs. “I don't understand,” she whispered miserably.

“Play the game; that's where it begins pixie,” he returned those disturbing eyes drawing nearer.

The young witch was desperately trying to control her rising panic as she tried to figure a way out of her current predicament. Licking suddenly dry lips she stared at the spot where the creature crouched waiting. “H-h-how do I play,” she asked finally.

There was movement in the shadows followed closely by a brief flash of white. That abrupt glint had Hermione thinking he smiled though she couldn't have said how she knew that.

“You already know the answer pixie,” his deep voice said causing the young woman to shiver with dread. “You run!”

As the last of his command, for there could be no doubt that's what it was, faded away she had a moment to think he couldn't be serious before he lunged.

Not giving herself time to think Hermione turned and fled. She wasn't sure what the thing wanted and at the moment didn't really care. All she wanted to do was escape whatever was behind her giving chase.

Arms and legs pumped as she continued to try to out run her pursuer. She distantly noticed the smooth grass underfoot with the slight dew that coated it. It should have had her slipping and sliding all over the place yet her tread was as smooth and steady as if she had been running on a track.

Ahead she could see a small moonlit clearing. Something in her told her that if she could just reach it all would be well. It was a feeling that she didn't argue with. With a renewed burst of speed she rushed forward trying to reach that point of safety. She could feel the heat from the thing behind her and prayed she would make it to the clearing before it could harm her.

Reaching the small glade she breathed a sigh of relief as she collapsed to her hands and knees breathing hard. It took her by surprise when the thing tackled her rolling them both until the thing had her pinned under it. Fear had her beautiful honey colored eyes squeezed shut.

Hermione could feel the gentle slide of hair brushing her cheeks. The hair was soft as silk came the incongruous thought as it tickled her skin. The warm puffs of air ghosted over her skin causing it to break out in goose bumps. “I thought I was safe here,” she whispered thickly, tears beginning to gather behind closed lids.

A large calloused hand came up to cup her cheek gently. “You are safe here pixie,” he promised her. His thumb brushed over her cheekbone softly. “Open your eyes for me,” he pleaded his fingers tracing down the creamy column of her throat.

The simple sensual gesture had her eyes snapping open as her mind finally registered the fact that they were both naked as the day they'd been born. The sight that greeted her couldn't have shocked her more than if she'd just been told the sky was really purple. There pinning her to the soft earth was none other than Draco Malfoy!

His silver eyes seemed to glow with some inner light. Those handsome aristocratic features were bathed in moonlight making him look like a fallen angel. His gaze dropped to her lips as she unconsciously licked them. Nervously she watched him unsure of his intent as she rolled her wrists imprisoned in his vice like grip.

The longer he stared at her without saying anything the angrier she became. If this was some sort of prank on his part it wasn't funny in the least and if this was some sort of delusion her subconscious had cooked up why couldn't she control where it went?

She was brought out of her musings as she watched him dip his head. His lips laid butterfly kisses to her smooth skin creating havoc with her senses. He shifted both of her small wrists to one hand as his free hand came down to capture one side of her face framing it. His slivery gaze bored into her golden eyes as he ducked his head to lay a sweet kiss to her lips.

Hermione couldn't explain why she was giving into the gentle pressure he was using. His tongue slipped along the seam of her lips begging for entrance. Timidly she opened her lips to him allowing his tongue into the warm recesses of her mouth. Distantly she could feel his free hand as he spread his fingers low on her abdomen drawing a small needy sound from her throat.

Draco continued his gentle assault on her senses feeling her body respond so ardently to his touch. His lips trailed over her jaw to that spot between shoulder and neck sucking the sensitized skin in his mouth. Teeth grazed the flesh as his hand slid further down her body cupping her sex. His long fingers delved into her core only slightly surprised to find her slick and ready for him. Carefully he drew his fingers along her cleft eliciting a ragged needy moan from her.

Hermione tried not to react to the things he was doing to her body but it was a losing battle. With every tender caress she found herself wanting more. Her hips arched of their own accord as he slid two fingers into her core. Her head thrashed from side to side as he continued to teasingly lead her toward ecstasy. She could feel him hard and ready against her hip and it added to the heady feelings she was experiencing.

Whimpering she stared at him with pleading eyes as he withdrew his fingers. She had been so close that it left her with a throbbing ache. He shifted above her settling himself in the cradle of her thighs. She could feel the tip of him slide against her femininity. She began to struggle in earnest succeeding only in having each movement press him more intimately into her.

“Malfoy,” she croaked trying to get his attention. His white blonde head was bent staring down at where their bodies were almost joined. She said his name again to no avail; he seemed transfixed by the sight. “Draco,” she said in a voice thick with the beginnings of tears. That brought his head snapping up.

In those silvery depths she could see something that was not at all human. He stared back at her his face blank as he watched her. It was a look that terrified her. Still she tried to speak to the boy that had to be in there somewhere. “Please don't...I've never,” she begged weakly.

The dark leviathan within his eyes brightened his luminous gaze even as she saw the young man trying desperately to swim to the surface. She knew, instinctively, that he was conflicted. On the one hand he was driven by a primal urge to finish what they had begun; on the other he was still, even in the grips of a primordial drive, trying to heed her wishes.

His free hand roughly cupped her breast, thumb strumming over the tightly puckered peak. Leaning down he captured her lips in a kiss that had her toes curling. Gently he sucked her bottom lip between his own nipping at it with teeth before soothing the offended flesh with his tongue.

She was responding to him without conscious thought. It was only when his throbbing length tore her virgin barrier that she remembered their earlier position. She tensed every muscle in her body screaming in protest. He stilled instantly. His forehead pressed against hers. “Mine,” he growled as he slowly withdrew and drove back into her.

The scream that left her throat was only partially pain. There was something so seductive about seeing the normally very controlled Draco Malfoy reduced to this primal being. Each time he filled her, the pain lessened until nothing existed but the pleasure he was giving her. He shifted the grip he had on her wrists until their fingers were intertwined as he continued to pump into her welcoming body.

Hermione's legs wrapped around his waist as her hips arched up to meet his thrusts. Her eyes slipped shut as they moved toward that shining elusive peak. Her fingers tightened around his her spine bowing as the feeling building in her constricted. She could hear him whispering something over and over again like a mantra but it held no meaning for her.

Silver eyes watched as the young woman under him writhed in apparent ecstasy. He knew she was close could feel it in the way her body met his. Dipping his head he sucked the skin of her neck into his mouth. Her desperate needy cries were like music to his ears. His teeth slowly sank into the meat of her neck, marking her.

The touch of his teeth sent her over the edge. Shining pinpoints of colored light danced behind her closed lids as her body spasmodically clenched around the driving column of his flesh. His movements took on an uneven quality as he surrendered to his release a cry of his own leaving his lips. “Mine!” His deeply growled word and fierce gaze pinned her to the ground more surely than his body.

Tumbling to the floor Hermione looked around startled to find she was back in her room with the sun shining brightly on her face. Wearily she ran her hands through her tousled hair flinching slightly when her fingers touched a tender spot on her neck. It brought to mind the dream and had her scrambling over to her vanity and the mirror.

There on her pale skin was a lurid looking bruise. She touched it again to make sure she wasn't seeing things wincing when the light brush of her fingers moved over it. What the hell is going on she wondered as she collapsed onto the bench letting her head fall into her hands.