Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Beyond the Pale	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 81362 -:- Recommendations : 11 -:- Currently Reading : 17
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does, lucky woman. I make no money from this, which is probably why I'm poor as a church mouse.

Chapter List
- 9
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- 11
Hermione was thankful for the hundredth time since she’d been turned that she couldn’t vomit. Surely she would have emptied the contents of her stomach tenfold before Harry arrived. She had to do this. Harry was her friend and he needed to understand what she was going through.

“Hermione? Are you here?”

“I’m here Harry,” she sighed and walked out.

“How did you get out so fast? I didn’t even see you!”

“Well, that’s part of what I have to tell you. Can we…can we find a nice rock or something to sit on? This might take a while.”

They walked in silence for a while until they spotted a flat rock right next to a tree stump. It was perfect. The moon was above giving enough illumination for Harry to see the reflections in the water. The sound of water lapping against the banks was soothing.

“Your word as a wizard Harry,” she warned.

Harry nodded and raised his hand. “Oh my honor, as a wizard, I won’t tell another being what Hermione is about to tell me…unless she wants me to.”

Hermione giggled when the gold light enveloped her friend. “That was very clever Harry.”

“Well, I do try sometimes,” Harry said with a grin.

“You seem happier.”

“I am happier! Hermione, my godfather is alive!”

“I know,” Hermione said ruefully. “I’m glad you have him back. It was cruel for him to be ripped away.”

Harry’s face fell. “I’m so sorry for what I put you guys through Mione. If I knew then what I know now, I would have never gone. I just… I had to help him. In the end, I almost got us killed.”

Hermione sighed. “Well, it might have been worth it had we gotten that prophesy.”

“That’s just it,” Harry said in frustration. “Dumbledore had it the entire time. It says that a child born at the end of July will have the power to vanquish the Dark Lord. He would mark the child as his equal. Nevil was born the same time I was. Vol-“

“Don’t say his name!” Hermione shrieked and then took a relaxing breath. “Don’t say his name outside the castle Harry. It has a jinx curse on it. Death Eaters can track it and find us.”

Harry narrowed his eyes. “How do you know that?”

“Professor Snape told me. Anyway, go on. He marked you as his equal.”

“Yeah,” Harry said slowly. She could tell he was going to go back to her slip up. “Because he’s a half-blood like me. Anyway, it said that…that I’ll have a power the Dark Lord knows not and…and that neither one can live while the other survives.”

Hermione gasped. “You mean…you’ll actually have to-“

“Kill him,” Harry breathed.

“Oh Harry,” Hermione cried and ran to hug him. Here she was, feeling sorry for herself and Harry had been tasked with actually killing Voldemort, not just winning, but destroying him.

“OW!” Harry yelped.

“Oh Gods!” Hermione yelled and leapt back. “Are you okay Harry? Oh Merlin, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m fine,” Harry chuckled. “You’ve got quite the grip there.”

“Yeah, guess I do,” Hermione mumbled. This was never going to work.

“Tell me what happened to you Hermione,” Harry said softly.

Hermione gulped. “W-what Professor Snape said…it wasn’t true…at least…not entirely.”

“Which part?” Harry said flatly.

Hermione took a deep breath and started pacing back and forth. “I was attacked by just one person…and my attacker was a muggle at some point in time…when he was human.”

Harry’s eyes widened comically. “What attacked you Hermione?”

Hermione stopped her pacing and looked Harry straight in the eye. “A vampire.”

“WHAT?” Harry yelled and jumped up on the rock.

“Sit down Harry, there’s more.”

Harry warily sat back down. “So you were attacked…by a vampire? When?”

Hermione ducked her head now, flashes of her attack coming back to her. “Right after I got out of the hospital wing. I-I went for a walk after curfew…”

“Why were you out so late Hermione? What could have possibly been so important that you’d break the rules, leave the castle after dark?”

Hermione sighed. “I blamed myself for Sirius’s death. I thought that if I had just gone to Se-Professor Snape in the first place, the Ministry fight wouldn’t have happened and he would still be alive. I couldn’t face you again, not knowing how much pain you were in so I took a walk. I-I sat down on a boulder by the black lake and cried. It started to rain and…”

Harry was shaking his head. “It was never your fault Hermione. I should have listened to you.”

“It doesn’t matter now, Harry. What’s done is done and you have Sirius back. Anyway, I wasn’t paying attention and…he came. He asked what I was doing out, told me I smelled delicious, promised me that he would give me a gift because I begged for him not to kill me.” She stopped, unable to talk anymore.

“But…you’re here Hermione. He didn’t kill you.”

“Didn’t he?” Hermione asked softly. “A woman came, another vampire, said that the grounds were under her protection and that he should leave. She fought him but he broke loose. He…he tore my throat open. It hurt so badly but beyond that…it burned. I could hear her. She ripped him limb from limb and burned him to ashes. She healed my neck but it was too late. He injected me with his venom.”

“But Hermione,” Harry argued. “You aren’t a vampire. You’re warm. You’re wearing a crucifix!”

Hermione chuckled darkly. “I am a vampire Harry.”

“No you aren’t,” Harry insisted. “I saw your reflection as clear a day in the bathroom mirror.”

“I charmed the mirror so it would show my reflection. Let me explain. The woman that found me, she is a different type of vampire than the ones we’ve studied. She has a soul, can walk in the daylight, and handle silver. She refused to let me go into the darkness without a choice. I could turn, she could suck out the venom and I would die, or I could drink her blood and become like her. I chose the last option.”

“S-so y-you really are a…a-“

“Vampire, yes.” Hermione gave him a sad smile and flashed her fangs at him, making sure her eyes would flare. He jumped about a foot but didn’t run, for which she was thankful. “I-I have to drink blood to survive. I don’t have a reflection. No one can take a picture of me. I don’t sleep. Food tastes like ash. I’m fast, strong, and can change into animals, shadow, and mist. I’m a bloody vampire!”

Harry sat there and stared at her for the longest time. She let him. It was a lot to process. She’d lived it and was still having a hard time with it. She was careful though. There was no way she was telling Harry about Severus…or Draco. She’d even left out Alex and Nancy.

“Are there more like you?” Harry finally asked after a time.

Hermione nodded. “Very few. Harry, you are the only one besides Professor Snape who knows exactly what I truly am. The twins think I’m taking an experimental potion. Just think of what the Ministry or other covens would do if they found out. If they didn’t kill me, I’d be treated worse than Remus.”

“Where do Snape and the twins fit into this?”

Hermione sighed. “Professor Snape and the woman that turned me have been taking care of me. They watched over me during my turning. It wasn’t easy Harry. I had to fight for my soul. It was one of the most painful experiences of my life. When I woke up, they kept me from killing my first meal. I’ve never killed anyone and I never want to. We can feed without harming our victims.”

Harry gulped. There was a pregnant pause before he asked his next question. “When did you wake up?”

Hermione gave a nervous laugh. “A week after my attack.”

Harry’s eyes narrowed. “We went home that week Hermione. We sat with you on the train.”

Hermione shook her head. “You sat with my mother, the woman who turned me. Professor Snape gave her some polyjuice so she could fill in for me…so as not to rouse suspicions.”

“I-I…we couldn’t tell the difference,” Harry said frantically. “How could we not tell Hermione? I know you as well as I know myself, maybe better!”

“Calm down Harry. She’s a very good actress, convinced my parents to let me stay at school to study potions over the summer.”

“Wow,” Harry breathed. “What’s her name?”

“Melody. You’d like her Harry. She reminds me of Tonks…except not klutzy at all.”

Harry laughed out loud at that. It made it feel almost normal…if normal meant that you told your friend you were a blood sucking monster every day. He pulled his glasses off and rubbed over his face, the strain of the emotions obviously wearing on him.

“You need some sleep Harry.”

Harry waved her off. “I won’t be able to until you tell me absolutely everything. So, Snape’s been watching over you?”

Hermione nodded. “He and Melody have been trying to teach me how to control my hunger. It’s hard though, so he put this collar on me. At first, it blocked out smells completely but now it has some sort of magical sensor. When my instincts kick in, it dulls them until I can control myself again.”

“You wear a collar like a bloody dog?”

“Or a submissive,” Hermione whispered.

Harry cocked his head. “I don’t understand.”

Hermione sighed. “There are two types of vampires, dominant and submissive. It is instinct and nature as to which you become.”

“But you are anything but submissive Hermione. You’re constantly bossing others around.”

Hermione huffed. “Oh but I am Harry. I can feel it…which is why Professor Snape has kept up my training. Being a submissive is dangerous. It is instinct to listen, obey on command.”

“So Snape’s been ordering you around like a bloody slave!” Harry said hotly.

“No Harry. He’s been teaching me how to resist the pull. If I hadn’t learned, anyone could control me…including You-Know-Who…and there would be nothing I could do to fight against it. I would be a tool for him to use.”

“Oh Merlin Hermione! That’s horrible.”

“It is,” Hermione laughed almost hysterically. “But I beat it Harry. Another vampire tried to claim me as his mate and I resisted. I’m strong enough to fight it now and after a while, I won’t even feel it.”

“What does it feel like…to disobey?”

“Like Gwarp sat on my chest. Sometimes it feels as if someone plunged a knife in my heart. It’s painful.”

“Gods Hermione, I’m so sorry.”

Hermione sniffed. “It’s not your fault Harry. It’s mine for being so stupid.”

“No one deserves this Mione.”

Hermione nodded. “I agree.”

“So…how did the twins get involved?”

“OH! They created a way for me to feed without having to go feed.”

“What?”

“Well, I have to feed on blood to live so Professor Snape will take me hunting during the school year. However, I have to feed almost every other day since I am so young and he won’t always be able to go. Frequent feeding controls my thirst. Blood pops help with the burning in my throat but they’re conspicuous and most synthetic blood tastes nasty. The twins invented a tongue piercing to help. It contains slow release synthetic blood capsules that actually taste good. I just tap the top disk in a certain sequence and the capsule releases. I only had to feed twice last week. It’s amazing!”

“How did you think to ask them Mione?” Harry asked.

“I didn’t at all. Melody took me into Diagon alley so I could buy your birthday gifts-“

“And they were brilliant!” Harry cut in. “This necklace is perfect to store my cloak in!”

Hermione grinned. “It was Melody’s idea. I picked silver because…well…no one should have to fight off a vampire and they can’t touch silver. I picked the snitch because you are a seeker.”

“It’s amazing. Thanks Mione.”

Hermione blushed, feeling his gratitude in her bones. “It was nothing. Anyway, she thought I could use a bit of fun…and a test to see how good my control was. It’s easier to control thirst in a crowd. All the smells blend in so it isn’t as appetizing. I was wearing a glamour but the twins recognized my laugh. They were ecstatic about my new…heritage but I almost lost it. They shoved a blood pop in my mouth and realized it helped so they came up with this idea. I owe them my freedom.”

“It’s brilliant. Um…would it be okay if I…if I looked at it?”

Hermione smiled. “Of course, if you don’t mind getting that close to my mouth.”

“You-you aren’t hungry are you?”

“No! I ate this morning. I’m okay until tomorrow at least, longer if I need to be…thanks to the twins.”

She cast a lumos and let Harry gaze into her mouth. “Cool!” Harry cried.

“And if anyone asks, I’ll just say it’s a muggle thing.”

“I doubt anyone would notice,” Harry said reverently. “I mean, I can’t see it when you talk and it doesn’t affect your speech.”

“It took me a while to get used to it,” Hermione laughed.

They fell silent for a long time, just thinking over the day’s events until Harry cleared his throat. “When Snape came earlier, he said your mother was worried.”

“He meant Melody. She was beside herself but I had to get out of there.”

“What did he do when you took a walk?”

“He put my collar on me. I have to kneel to accept it and he didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.”

“He…he hasn’t taken advantage of you, has he?”

“He would never!” Hermione cried. “He’s not like everyone thinks he is Harry. He’s not. It’s just a mask he puts on to keep anyone from getting close.”

“Well, it works,” Harry mumbled. “But if you say he’s okay-“

“I do,” she snapped.

“Well then, I’ll believe you. I’m actually kind of glad we’re not going to tell Ron. He’d go barmy at the thought of you kneeling to Snape.”

Hermione snorted. “I imagine he would.”

“So…you can turn into animals?”

Hermione grinned. “Want to see?”

“You bet!”

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Hermione fiddled with her necklace for the tenth time that day, wondering if she should go ahead and call for her parents. Once again, she decided against it. This was her choice and she had to live with it. Except she didn’t think it would be this bloody hard. It wouldn’t have been so bad if she hadn’t overreacted and needed Severus to cover for her with the story of her attack.

Everyone walked on eggshells around her. Pitying glances were starting to irritate her and Molly was ten times as bad as normal. The woman was usually overbearing and motherly but she’d been taking it to extremes, constantly hounding her about eating and going outside. The sunshine bloody hurt, especially if she couldn’t do magic without getting in trouble. Another stupid move on her part, no sunscreen.

“Hey Mione?” Harry asked softly. “You okay?”

Hermione turned from Ginny’s window and gave him a sad smile. “Yeah, it’s just…tiresome.”

Harry nodded. “I imagine. Molly’s really outdone herself.”

Hermione huffed. “Pretending to eat is a lot harder than it looks.”

“How are you doing it?” Harry asked.

“Some slide of hand,” Hermione shrugged. “If they look too closely, I have to use a wandless vanishing charm that Se-Professor Snape taught me.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “You keep doing that, stopping yourself from calling him Severus. Why?”

Hermione blushed. “He told me to call him that over the summer. We’ve…we’ve struck up a friendship. It’s hard to stay distant when he’s your bloody dominant…and especially since I can’t help myself.”

“What do you mean Mione?” Harry asked.

He sat down on the desk beside her. She appreciated that. He didn’t shrink away from her touch or act like she repulsed him. In fact, he treated her just like he always had and it made her love him that much more. She took a deep breath and prepared herself to reveal the next tidbit of information. Hopefully he wouldn’t balk at it.

“You see, vampires are…extremely affectionate. They crave touch...connection…contact with others. They think nothing of plopping down in each other’s laps and cuddling. It’s a comfort. I…that goes for me as well. Not being able to touch everyone the way I want, it’s…well, it’s hard to explain. It makes me feel hollow, wrong-footed, and even lonely.”

“So…you crave contact…with Snape?” Harry asked with wide eyes.

Hermione couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “I crave contact with everyone Harry, but more so for Severus. He is…until I find my mate…my dominant.”

“But he’s not a vampire,” Harry said with a frown.

“Doesn’t matter,” Hermione said quickly. “It’s his nature that attracts me and makes me want to obey.”

“So he’s a controlling git and you like him for it.”

Hermione shrugged and decided to go for broke. “You’re a dominant too Harry. I can feel it, the way you can command people. Not every dominant is as harsh as the professor is…but I still feel the pull.”

Harry swallowed hard. “Wh-what…how does it make you feel?”

Hermione laughed. “I’m not about to start kneeling at your feet and rubbing against you like a cat, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Harry let out a sigh of relief and Hermione couldn’t help but grin at him. He shook his head. “But you said…the affection thing.”

“I won’t make you uncomfortable Harry, no matter how hard it is not to crawl in your lap and snuggle. It’s hard for me too, you know. You smell delicious…like pumpkin juice and chocolate and lightning.”

“Lightning?” Harry asked.

Hermione nodded. “Magic has this electric smell to it, like burnt metal. It’s why we normally feed from muggles. They’re far more appetizing, which is why Melody is baffled that my attacker was in the Forbidden forest. That much concentrated magic singes the nose. It physically hurts to be around it until you get used to it.”

Harry’s eyes darkened. “That is strange Hermione. What if…you don’t think he was sent there on purpose do you?”

Hermione sighed. “I’ve wondered that myself. Sev-Professor Snape insists it’s coincidence but I can see the worry in his eyes when I bring it up. He thinks it might be something like that. I just know it.”

“Snape? Worried?”

Hermione huffed in anger. “Believe it or not Harry, Severus is dedicated to protecting the school and it’s students. The fact that a vampire was lurking in a very magical forest is cause for concern. Who could be next? What if Melody hadn’t been there? I would be forever a creature of darkness, and I might have been You-Know-Who’s to command.”

Harry’s eyes widened in horror. “What if that’s it?”

Hermione frowned. “What?”

“Hermione, what if he was looking for people to turn to start some sort of army? He’s commanded vampires in the past. I know he’s ordered Greyback to persuade the werewolves to join his side. That’s why Remus has been fighting so hard to sway them to the light. What if…can you sense if a person is dominant or submissive?”

“Of course,” Hermione said with a frown. “I just told you that I can feel your pull. Why wouldn’t I be able to feel the same with others?”

“Alright, so say the vampire was looking specifically for submissives. You said that until you had training, you would have followed him.”

Hermione nodded. “It’s painful to disobey. Oh Gods!”

“Exactly! We’ve got to tell them Hermione!”

Hermione shook her head. “No Harry. We can’t. I’ll let Severus know and we’ll let it trickle down that way. I’ve got to remain a secret. What if You-Know-Who found out about me, hmm? Don’t you think that light vampires are more beneficial than dark ones? They could capture my mother, force her to turn people. Harry that would be disastrous!”

“I didn’t think of it that way,” Harry breathed. “Alright Hermione but when will you see Snape again to tell him?”

“After midnight,” Hermione whispered. “He’s taking me hunting.”

Before Harry could say anything, Molly’s startled them as she came bursting in. “Harry dear, have you seen Hermione? She didn’t come down for lunch. She hasn’t been eating properly and I’m worried.”

“Oh I,” Harry said and looked to the spot where Hermione had just been sitting. “I haven’t seen her. I bet she just snagged a bit of toast when no one was looking.”

“That girl,” Molly sighed. “She needs proper nutrition if she’s to heal. I can only imagine what Severus has been feeding the poor girl.”

“Snape?” Harry asked. “Why would he be feeding her anything?”

“Oh Harry, surely you can put two and two together. Severus has probably been taking care of Hermione for a while, mixing her potions for her healing. Why else would she be so comfortable with him?”

“Oh, right,” Harry said sheepishly. If only Molly knew exactly how he’d been taking care of her. It made him a bit sick, but Hermione insisted it was necessary.

“Well dear, if you see her, send her down would you?”

“Of course Mrs. Weasley,” Harry said with a forced smile and waited until she’d gone before he started looking around. “Hermione? Where are you?”

Hermione stepped out of the shadow she’d blended into. “That was close.”

“That was brilliant!”

Hermione giggled. “Well, being a vampire does have its perks.”

“I’ll bet you could hide out at the library all night long now,” Harry said with a wink.

Hermione grinned. “It’s worth a try!”

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“Hermione, what are you doing out of bed?”

Hermione cursed under her breath and spun around to see Remus standing in the doorway to the kitchen. So much for sneaking out the traditional way. She’d purposefully avoided him all day, just in case he spotted her tongue ring. Now, he was walking over to her and she prayed to Merlin and every deity she’d ever read about that her charm to block her scent was holding.

“Well?”

“Um, can’t sleep,” Hermione answered lamely. “I was just going to…go for a walk.”

“That’s not a very wise decision.”

Hermione shrugged. “I’ll be within the wards.”

“Wards can be broken.”

Hermione felt her control on her anger slip. “Look! I’m not helpless, alright? Just because I got caught once doesn’t mean I’m stupid enough to do it again!”

“I didn’t say that,” Remus said gently. “But letting your guard down isn’t like you. I sense there is more to the story…especially after the way you and Severus look at each other.”

Hermione jaw dropped in shock. “Just what are you implying?”

Remus gave her a penetrating glance before sighing heavily. “His gesture yesterday, however brief, was much more than a friendly pat.”

“It is not like that,” Hermione growled. “He and I are friends Remus. He’s never behaved inappropriately towards me. In fact, I owe him my life and I would appreciate it if everyone would stop making him out to be a monster.”

“I never said he was a monster Hermione,” Remus said softly. “At least, not in the way you are describing him.”

“What are you saying?” Hermione all but hissed.

“Do you not think that someone would recognize a submission collar when they see one?” Remus asked and started to reach for her neck.

“Don’t touch it!” Hermione shrieked. “It’s silver, damn it!”

“That’s not possible,” Remus breathed.

“It is entirely possible and if I wouldn’t have stopped you, you’d be howling in pain!” Hermione panted.

“But…you…you shouldn’t be able to wear silver,” Remus whispered.

“And why is that?” Hermione snapped, fearing what he might have to say. “What could possibly be wrong with me wearing silver?”

Remus growled at her, truly growled like a werewolf. “Stick out your tongue Hermione.”

She felt her stomach flip over and her veins turn to ice. He knew. She couldn’t afford to let him know. “You’re bloody mad! How dare you growl at me like that!”

“I can hear it,” Remus whispered as he closed his eyes tight. It was obvious that he was trying to tame his inner wolf. It occurred to her then that despite the smell, it was nature to fight.

“Hear what? Remus, you aren’t making any sense.”

Remus opened his eyes again to reveal glowing amber orbs. “The plastic clinking of your tongue piercing.”

Damn. Time for damage control. Hermione huffed indignantly. “I am a muggleborn Remus. I got it in London this summer with my cousin. I just put the plastic one in so Molly wouldn’t have a fit on me…not that she didn’t do that anyway.”

“No. I don’t believe in coincidence.”

“Coincidence? Remus, you are truly starting to worry me. Do I need to get Molly in here? What are you talking about?”

For the first time, Remus looked to be unsure. “Two vampires came in to the twins’ store a week ago.”

Hermione crossed her arms to make it look like she was impatient and slowed her breathing down so he wouldn’t hear her heart race, silently thanking her parents for all her breath training. “What does that have to do with me Remus?”

“They had the twins make them some tongue piercings to administer blood without detection,” Remus said, his eyes searching hers for any signs of fear or recognition.

She didn’t show any emotion, another trick her father had taught her. “And why are you telling me this? I’m sure they wished to remain a secret if they wanted it undetectable. Why not respect their wishes?”

“Because they’re vampires!” Remus hissed.

“And you’re a bloody werewolf! Are you any better?” Hermione growled angrily. Remus look like she’d slapped him in the face and she felt a pang of remorse. “Look Remus, not all monsters are created equal. I would have thought that you, of all people, would realize that. I guess I was wrong. Now, I’m going. Good night.”

She found her father lounging in the shadows under a tree not ten feet from the house. “Bloody werewolf.”

Hermione sighed. “Is it going to be a problem?”

“Well, it will be if he decides to spread the word about your piercing,” Severus hedged.

“Fuck! Is it too much to ask to just leave it and let me live my bloody life in peace?”

Severus chuckled. “You sound like your mother.”

“Where is she?” Hermione asked softly.

“Just outside of town.”

“Great. What the fuck are we waiting for?”

“You will not speak to me like that.” Severus hissed.

“I’m sorry. I don’t really give a fuck right now. I’m thirsty. I’ve been bucking Molly all day. I just want to eat and then go to bed and…stare at the ceiling.”

“Oh, a worthwhile activity to be sure.”

Hermione rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration. “Just stop. My nerves are shot.”

“I had rather hoped you would come back for a while…keep Alex some company?”

“Oh gods, how is Nancy? Is she okay?”

Severus frowned. “As well as can be expected. Shall we? Your werewolf is once again sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

“He’s listening in,” Hermione said flatly.

Severus nodded.

Hermione hissed angrily. “Then he can bloody well know that I just want to get through this year, get rid of You-Know-Who, and…gosh I don’t know…watch everyone else fall in love and get married and have families and die off I guess.”

“And your mother says I’m a little ray of sunshine,” Severus said sardonically.

Hermione huffed a laugh. “You’re rubbing off on me.”

“Merlin forbid you get over your disgusting Gryffindor tendencies to want the sun to shine out your arse.”

“I think you’re confusing me with a Hufflepuff.”

Severus smirked. “Then your nobility perhaps?”

Hermione chuckled. “No, I rather like my nobility. Now my sex drive…I’d like to get rid of that.”

“Sorry, no returns, exchanges, or refunds. I’m afraid you purchased a one way ticket.”

“You might want to curb that humor Severus. Someone might die of shock.”

Severus chuckled. “Come on. Let’s get you fed.”

They walked in silence until they were out of eyesight from the house and then used their speed to appear at the edge of town in seconds. Sure enough, Melody was there with Draco chatting about Nancy’s turning. Hermione felt her body heat up from the close proximity to her mate. If she couldn’t control herself, she was in for a very long night.

“Shall we?” Severus motioned for them to leave.

“Wait,” Melody called. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” She sighed at their confused looks and pointed to Hermione. “She’s still wearing her collar.”

“Oh!” Hermione squeaked. She’d completely forgotten about it.

“Kneel,” Severus drawled, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

Hermione couldn’t figure out exactly what he found so amusing until she heard the low growl from Draco. What was his problem? This was how Severus had to get the collar off. Yet, she felt anger and…was that jealousy? No, it couldn’t be. She decided not to obsess over it and instead waited patiently for her father to take her collar off. The extra caress on her neck and a feather soft kiss to her lips made her smile. It had been a while since she had been shown affection like this. Draco’s angry hiss made her cringe though.

“Okay,” Melody said a bit louder than necessary. “Where shall we dine tonight? We have the alley and the biker bar. Draco really liked Francis.”

Hermione couldn’t help but grin. “What did Francis have to say?”

Melody gave her a huge grin. “Francis thinks he’s rather pretty…and he’d like to be the filling in a light and dark sandwich.”

Hermione couldn’t help herself. She burst into giggles, followed by her mother and a dry chuckle from her father. Draco, on the other hand, remained quite stoic, only scowling when the thought they had carried on too long. Hermione finally caught her breath. Feeling quite light at the moment, she felt as if she could tease him just a bit more.

“Oh honestly, Draco,” Hermione huffed. “At least he didn’t race to the loo and wait for you with his pants around his ankles.”

Draco’s jaw dropped open in shock. “He didn’t!”

“He did actually,” Melody said dryly. “Francis does have a rather hairy bum, I must say.”

Severus hummed. “Yes, I wouldn’t even fuck him with your cock. Shall we?”

Hermione and Draco couldn’t help but stare at their Potion’s Master, jaws agape. They had heard him joke before, but that was one worthy of Melody. Severus merely quirked an eyebrow and dared them to make a coherent argument, which they couldn’t. They were still stymied.

Melody snickered. “Sev, look what you’ve done. You’ve rendered them mute with your sense of humor. I told you to tone it down and now you’ve blown their fragile little minds. Honestly, next you’ll give someone heart failure.”

“They’ll get over it,” Severus said smugly. “Now, I was thinking Birds and Blokes.”

“Oh, that’s a splendid place,” Melody said with some glee.

“What is it?” Hermione asked curiously.

“It’s a seedy muggle dance club,” Melody answered. “It’ll be just dirty enough to curb your thirst but there are lots of tasty people to choose from. After you’ve eaten, you can take a spin on the dance floor.”

“Why?” Draco asked in horror.

“Oh for Merlin’s sake, live a little. Muggles are tasty, not dirty. I, for one, fancy a turn with the most handsome man in the club,” Melody said, gently smacking Severus in the stomach with a wink. “So let’s go.”

In the blink of an eye, Hermione felt her insides trying to squeeze out through her nose. She hadn’t even realized that Melody had grabbed her arm and apparated until they landed in front of a dingy looking building. She hit her knees, gasping for breath and once again happy that she couldn’t vomit. Another pop alerted her that her father and mate had just arrived. To her consternation, Draco appeared unphased. She caught a flicker of concern from her mate’s face until he smoothed his face into a mask of aloofness again. This was driving her barmy! She righted herself, stowed her cloak away, and signaled that she was ready.

It was surprisingly easy to control herself while finding the perfect blood, filet mignon with grilled vegetables. It was coming from a strikingly handsome individual who was currently eyeing a group of girls dancing together on the floor. Hermione tilted her head and gazed at the laughing women grinding sensually against each other. She supposed it was rather stimulating but she needed to get him to the loo so she wouldn’t cause a scene.

Once again thankful that Melody had used the counter charm to allow her smell to travel, she sauntered up to him as seductively as she could. She’d worn a simple red halter dress that clung to her curves. Her experience thus far had taught her that if she looked like walking sex, it was easier to lure prey. It seemed that the filet mignon muggle agreed with her theory and looked at her appreciatively.

“Hello,” Hermione whispered softly into his ear. “What’s your name?”

The muggle eyed her again and smirked. “Kevin, yours?”

“I’m Candy,” Hermione purred in her huskiest voice. It was all she could do to keep from rolling her eyes at her act.

“What’s a pretty bird like you doing wandering the club alone?”

Hermione had to bite her tongue to keep a scathing reply from flying out of it. She pretended to sigh sadly and fluttered her eyelashes at him. “I’m afraid I just haven’t found the right man yet.”

“Oh?” Kevin’s eyes lit up like a child at Christmas.

“Yeah,” Hermione said forlornly. “Do you think you could be the right one?” She gave him her best sexy smile and followed up with a sensuous rub of her finger down his arm. That hadn’t failed to earn her a bit of privacy yet.

“I might be,” Kevin said huskily and took her arm, leading her towards the loo.

She let out a silent sigh of relief. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take of the over the top flirting tonight. The closer she was to him, the more her throat burned. All the control she had to exert over herself while at the Burrow coupled with the curbing magic of the collar had drained her quicker than necessary. She almost let out a shout of joy when he motioned to the restrooms. Not willing to wait any longer, she yanked him into the gents and pushed him up against the wall.

“Um,” Kevin croaked. “We aren’t alone, love.”

Hermione looked over to see a dazed man in his early forties pinned to the wall by her mate. It looked as if Draco was about to sink his fangs in but had halted when she came barging in. Oh well, no problem.

“I don’t mind,” she giggled. “Let them watch.”

A strangled groan came from Kevin as he grabbed her head and pulled her into a kiss. She was momentarily stunned but an angry growl snapped her back into the present and she yanked him away quickly.

“Look at me,” she panted, the hunger almost overwhelming. Kevin complied easily and was under her spell in seconds. Unable to wait any longer, she sunk home. His blood was amazing, so rich and filling. It surprised her when he started rubbing up against her. His blood changed, more savory so she didn’t discourage him. He let out a sharp cry of ecstasy and flavor exploded in her mouth, making her moan at how much better it tasted. She was loathe to let him go but couldn’t bring herself to finish him off.

“Granger!” Draco snapped after she’d dragged him to the furthest stall with Draco’s meal. “You’re supposed to eat him, not fuck him!”

Hermione looked up, startled at the vehemence in her mate’s voice. “I didn’t fuck him. He bloody well humped me…but it made the blood taste better.”

“Of course it did,” Draco scoffed. "If you wanted the taste to change, you should have just cast the fucking sex spell!”

“The what?” Hermione asked in bewilderment. There was a sex spell?

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose, obviously fighting some emotion she didn’t care to pick up. She’d resigned herself to the fact that he didn’t want her and had tried blocking him as much as possible. It was in shock that she saw his eyes flicker with both amusement and extreme annoyance.

“Yes Granger, the sex spell. It causes an instant orgasm. It’s easier than letting them rut all over you.”

Huh. Well, that was something new. She’d have to learn that spell soon. It would be much better than having her food toss off while she was eating. Smarting a bit because Draco knew something she didn’t, she decided to say something snide. With a small smirk, she looked him directly in the eye.

“I thought you enjoyed that sort of thing.”

She was halfway to the door before she was violently yanked back across the room and slammed against the wall. It didn’t hurt. He’d cushioned her blow somehow but it did startle her enough to take her breath away. Was he going to take her to Voldemort now? They were alone. It would be the perfect time. She gritted her teeth when he shook her lightly.

“Quit being so bloody scared of me, damn it! I can’t stand it anymore!” he all but shouted in her face.

For once in her life, Hermione was speechless.

“Honestly, do you think Severus would let me near you if he thought I was going to turn you over to the Dark Lord? Your fear BURNS! I can feel it…like a bloody centaur shot me in the chest with an arrow.”

Hermione was having a hard time processing Draco’s rant. His words ran together in her mind and somehow, they didn’t make sense when she’d tried to revisit them. “Feel my fear?”

“Yes, for Merlin’s sake woman, you’re killing me!”

“I-I don’t understand.”

Draco sighed and placed his forehead to hers. She couldn’t help but flinch at the contact. “See? You can’t even touch me without shaking in fear. I can’t hurt you Hermione. I can’t even insult you like I’m used to. It hurts. I imagine it hurts worse than you did the night I was turned and you begged me to leave. You smell like lilacs and spring rain and home. Do you have any idea what that means?”

Hermione thought if her eyes got any wider, they’d probably fall out of their sockets. He knew she was his mate. She remembered Alex saying that as a dominant, it hurt when your submissive was hurting. Was he feeling her as much as she felt him? She couldn’t let him get to her. She didn’t trust him. She had to get away to think. The only thing she could think of was to say something horrible.

“It means that your sense of smell is off,” she said coldly. “I’m a mudblood remember? I smell like dirt and filth and the enemy.”

Draco reeled backwards as if she’d just stabbed him with a hot poker, his hand clutching his chest so hard his knuckles turned white. She could feel his pain and it was more than she could bear. She made a break for the door, running as fast as she could without turning heads. Her mother and father were over in a dark corner of the club and looked to be sharing a rather skanky looking woman. Good. They couldn’t stop her. As soon as she got out the door and relatively out of sight, she sped off into the night.

Half an hour later, she was utterly lost. She had blindly run at full speed and now she hadn’t a clue where she had ended up. It was definitely somewhere in the country side. For the second time in a month, she wished she knew how to apparate. She needed to go back to the Burrow but her mind was so jumbled that she wasn’t sure she could run anymore. She’d taken off in a panic, not caring where she ended up but now she was quite alone.

How stupid had she been now? Taking her wand out, she shook her head and started heading north. Perhaps she’d come across a town so she could find out where in the bloody hell she was. She didn’t walk three steps before she heard a pop. It had to be Death Eaters. She spun around and landed in a crouch, firing off a litany of hexes before angry shouting reached her ears and caused her to stop.

“Damn it child, stop this! I’m your ruddy father!”

“Father?” Hermione called pitifully but remained in a crouched position, not trusting herself.

“What does your nose tell you?” Severus spat.

Hermione sniffed the wind, potions and wood smoke and family. It was him. She fell to the ground, a cry of relief that she had been found and by the right person. Then her actions of the night crashed down on her and she cried for real, large bloody drops that stained her clothes and her cheeks.

“Stop that at once!” Severus barked. “You are going to negate your meal.”

Hermione hiccupped a few times and then managed to dry her tears but dry sobs took their place. Her father had somehow closed the distance without her notice and was now cradling her in his arms. She was thankful for the comfort, if not a bit unsettled because she hadn’t felt it coming.

“I told you that if you should have need of me, simply tap the crucifix three times and I would find you. How do you think that is possible?”

Hermione blinked at the sudden question before she regained her senses. “There is a tracking charm in my necklace?”

“Precisely,” Severus said calmly. “But you know what doesn’t work? Trying to get a bead on you when you are zipping about the bleeding countryside. What on earth possessed you to run so far?”

“You didn’t hear then?” Hermione asked quietly.

“Oh I heard just fine,” Severus said softly and placed her on her feet. “I just wondered why you had such an extreme reaction when he admitted he was your mate.”

Hermione stared at the ground in shame. It was horrible of her but she had simply panicked. “I-I wasn’t thinking. Well, I was. I was thinking I had to get out of there and…and…saying what I did seemed like the easiest way.”

“Do you not want Draco for your mate?”

“Of course not,” Hermione scoffed. “We’ve hated each other for five years. Why on earth, besides the fact that he smells like heaven, would I want to be his mate?”

“Have you really hated him?” Severus asked and started strolling off.

Hermione furrowed her brow in thought but dutifully stomped after him, thankful that she could keep up with his long strides without breaking a sweat. “Of course I did. He’s done nothing but hurl insults at me since we first met.”

“Actually, I believe you struck the first blow,” Severus mused. “Something about buying his way onto the quidditch team.”

Hermione’s face glowed bright red when she remembered that moment. “I-I…he was always hateful to me before then…and he got the boys in trouble first year.”

Severus shook his head. “So you thought you’d exact revenge for your friends by negating his worth.”

Hermione hung her head. “I suppose it was rather low. He hit just as hard though, called me a mudblood that day. In fact, he went as far as to announce that he hoped I’d be killed by the basilisk.”

Severus hummed. “Yes, but did it occur to you that he might have had an ulterior motive for saying such things?”

“Besides the fact that he’s a prejudiced prick?”

Severus chuckled. “Yes. You see, Lucius is a rather competitive wizard and he has drilled this trait into his son, quite mercilessly I might add. His motto is ‘stop at nothing to succeed’ and he’s not above killing to get what he wants.”

“I know,” Hermione mumbled, thinking about the story of Lucius kidnapping Melody. She shivered when she thought about it and unfortunately, Severus caught on.

“You know more than you are letting on little one.”

Hermione sighed. “I am but someone has begged me to not say anything and so I won’t. Please don’t make me tell you Severus.”

Severus’s eyes flickered indigo momentarily before returning to their normal black hue. “Someone…that someone being your mother.”

Hermione bit her lip, willing the tears to go away.

“I see,” Severus said softly. “I probably know what it is you are keeping secret for your mother. You see, I was…overwrought when I found her so fragile and wrapped in her father’s arms in a dirty muggle hotel. I am ashamed to say that I viciously assaulted her mind that night, although she doesn’t remember. The only reason Lucius is alive is because of her. She wished so ardently that I remain with her and not in prison that I have let that…vermin roam free. Rest assured, he’ll never touch her again. I made sure of that.”

Hermione shook her head. “Draco…he said that his father still tries to get your women.”

“He does,” Severus hissed. “But he is rendered impotent when he walks within ten feet of them, a rather useful curse. It has gotten him punished for a non-performance in front of the Dark Lord more than once.”

Hermione gasped in shock. She’d tried not to think about what went on at the revels but Severus had pretty much painted an apt description in her mind with just those few words. “But…you can’t…with anyone.”

“True,” Severus said softly. “Which is why Melody is everyone…everyone I’ve ever been with since we’ve mated has been her. She is rather good at infiltrating a revel and planting herself strategically. I was wholeheartedly against it but she insists…and I could not punish her the first time she did so.”

“Why did she start?” Hermione asked in shock.

“Because I came home near death, a punishment for being limp as a wet noodle when it came time to perform in front of the Dark Lord.”

Hermione smiled despite the grim tale. “She must really love you.”

Severus nodded. “And I do not deserve it. Come, let us go home. I will not let you break your promise to Nancy.”

“What about Draco?” Hermione asked him fearfully.

“Surprisingly, he understands your outburst better than you do and has vowed to make you see that he isn’t the person he pretends to be. I dare say that you’ll have your mate soon.”

Hermione huffed. “I don’t want a bloody mate. I’ve decided. I’m just going to fight my fight and be done.”

“We will see.”

AN: Hopefully everyone can read this AN. That was just bloody weird. Anyway, do you think she'll run again? We'll see. You guys are catching up! As always, thanks to everyone who reviewd. You guys keep smashing my expectations to bits! BITS I say. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing and if you find any errors.
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Beyond the Pale