Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126052 -:- Recommendations : 15 -:- Currently Reading : 31
Disclaimer: JK owns HP. Not me. I also don't own any quotes you might recognize. I make no money doing this, I just get the plot bunnies to quit interrupting my sleep.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Quick warning: This chapter mentions extreme violence and sexual abuse. There are no graphic details of either.

Hermione’s mood had become steadily worse the closer she got to the Great Hall for breakfast. She was feeling pretty high after ducking out of Draco’s clutches that morning but all too soon, reality came crashing down on her. She was married! That was bad enough. To be married at such a young age went against everything she’d ever planned for herself. Career first, then possibly marriage, then a family was what she had wanted since she was very little.

Now she had a husband and not just any husband, the Prince of Slytherin. He was the one person her friends would never accept. They didn’t know him like she did; no one did, really. She couldn’t blame Draco for that. His father would have killed him if he’d let people see his softer side, the witty, charming, and caring person she’d come to care for immensely.

She smiled softly when she thought of just how much Draco had changed since they’d been thrust together. In reality, he probably hadn’t changed all that much, just started being himself for a change instead of what his father told him to be. She liked who he was underneath that cold exterior, very much so in fact. She blushed as memories of her wedding night flooded her mind.

He’d been gentle, making sure she was satisfied before he’d taken his own pleasure. There were more than a few awkward situations, like the time he’d laughed at her. She’d been mortified when he burst into giggles at the sight of her most private place and almost fled the room. He was quick to correct himself but it stung for a moment. Of course, that flew out the window when he laughed at himself too. It had been a good memory after all.

Now she had to go down and face her friends. Her face darkened at that thought. She was livid they’d been spying on her. She and Ginny had overheard them talking about spying on Draco and Snape because they didn’t trust them. Somehow it didn’t register at the time that they’d be spying on her as well. Harry had every reason to be suspicious of their motives but he didn’t trust her enough to handle it. That stung the most. Deep into her thoughts, she didn’t notice a group of people stalking up the hall to cut her off.

“Where are you going, mudblood?” Someone spat and she spun around, surprised to see Draco’s entire gang standing there, including his unwanted fiancé. She couldn’t wipe the smirk off her face at that thought.

“What’s so funny mudblood?” Pansy screeched.

“Your face.” She answered without thought. “Did you run into a bus or were you just born like that?”

“Why you horrid little bitch!” Pansy shrieked and pulled her wand. Hermione went for hers when she realized that she didn’t have it. Where had she left it? Her eyes darted back and forth, trying desperately to remember where she’d placed it. She remembered Ginny grabbing it for her when they left for the Great Hall. Then…nothing. She couldn’t focus long enough after the kiss to get it back. Ginny must still have it.

The group laughed when they saw her frantic expression. “What’s the matter mudblood?” Blaise asked. “Forget something?”

Hermione raised her chin defiantly. She could take all of them without her wand but that would be exposing herself to the enemy and she wasn’t about to do that. She started looking for ways to run when she felt a familiar sensation.

“May I ask what is going on here?” Snape said in a bored drawl.

“Nothing Professor,” Pansy simpered. “We were simply having a conversation with Granger here.”

“Well, as enlightening as I’m sure any conversation with such an infuriating know-it-all is, you all need to go to breakfast. Traveling on an empty stomach is unpleasant, to say the least.”

A chorus of “Yes Professor” rang out and the herd of Slytherins and one lone Gryffindor started the trek to the Great Hall.

“Not so fast Miss Granger,” Snape called before she could take two steps. “I believe we have some pressing matters to discuss, particularly, your reason for skipping detention last night.”

Hermione spun around. “I didn’t skip it! I was simply a bit later than planned.”

Snape glanced over to see the dawdling students of his house trying to overhear their conversation. He shot them an icy glare and they hurried down the hall. “Do not lie to me Miss Granger. I wasted precious moments of my time waiting for you.”

He glanced down the hall and noticed that they’d at least turned a corner. With a nod, he stepped a bit closer to her and lowered his voice. “I believe you left this last night.” He handed her wand to her which she eagerly grabbed and stuffed it into her sleeve. Seeing the golden tattoo, he grabbed her wrist gently and examined it. “We have much to discuss later. For now, are you in need of any healing?”

Hermione blushed furiously. “No sir,” she managed to choke out. “He took care of it.”

Snape gave a nod of approval. “As well he should. Now, two hours after breakfast, you two will join me about twenty meters inside the Forbidden Forest, just before the clearing we worked in yesterday. We’ll port key to our destination from there. That should give most students time to vacate the premises.”

“Yes sir,” Hermione said softly and looked down the hall, noticing the glint from a small mirror. “Slytherins,” she huffed and shook her head.

Snape smirked darkly. “We might be a sneaky lot but you will find that we are fiercely protective of what is ours. I believe you fall into that category now…daughter.” He whispered the last word and then twirled around and stalked down the corridor.

She couldn’t help but smile softly after he left. He acted like a cold hearted bastard but beneath that hardened exterior was a man capable of great love and caring. She hoped against hope that he could find someone that would make him happy again. If anyone deserved it, he did. He’d saved her arse more than once just this year and she had a feeling he’d be doing it for many more to come.

She walked to the Great Hall a bit slower than before, bracing herself to face her friends. It was bad enough that she had to lie to their faces about her association with Malfoy. Now she had to look them in the eye and know that they didn’t trust her, not to mention that she was married to their conceived enemy now. Of course, there was the whole plot to kill the headmaster and overrun the school with Death Eaters too. She closed her eyes in pain and took a deep breath to steady herself.

How had her life gotten so much more complicated in the past few months? Not only did she have a Dark Lord to help defeat, but now she had a spy for a husband, a spy for a blood father-in-law, and a bond to figure out. Her life would have been so much easier if she’d just held her temper, wouldn’t it? Surely she wouldn’t have self-destructed. She’d been bound with dark magic which would have held her...but for how long?

“Keep walking with your head down mudblood, and you’re going to crash into me again.” Draco had somehow caught up with her and startled her just outside the entrance to the Great Hall.

She looked around dazed for a second and shook her head, mumbling softly to him. “Sorry, thinking about things.” She squared her shoulders, preparing to walk through the door. Draco smirked evilly at her and she narrowed her eyes. That was how he wanted to play it eh? She waited until he opened the door and ran into him as hard as she could, knocking him off balance and causing him to stumble a bit.

“Out of my way ferret!” She yelled and stormed over to the Gryffindor table where Ginny was already seated. She noticed that the boys hadn’t arrived yet. Looking over her shoulder, she could see Draco attempting to look outraged and felt him holding back laughter. She ducked her head and giggled a bit.

“That was bloody brilliant!” Ginny exclaimed and Hermione looked up with a grin. “Good to have you back Hermione.”

“It’s good to feel like myself again…well almost anyway.” Hermione answered. “I am starving!” She exclaimed as she piled her plate with eggs, bangers, and fruit.

“I couldn’t imagine why?” Ginny said waspishly causing Hermione to blush furiously for a moment. Then the redheaded girl cracked a smile. “Those crystals really do look wonderful in your hair Hermione.”

“Thank you,” she said softly. “You aren’t the only one who believes that but they are bloody hard on my scalp!”

Ginny chuckled. “I’ll take them out after breakfast. I’ll even put them in a little bag for you for later.” She waggled her eyebrows causing Hermione to choke on her pumpkin juice. “Look alive Hermione. The boys are coming.”

Hermione mopped up the spilled juice and cleaned the front of her clothes with a flick of her wand. Then she made a show of placing her wand on the table in clear view. She was entirely too upset to trust herself with it in her hand but she wanted them to know just how angry she was. She’d never spared the boys a hex before and she certainly wouldn’t start now.

‘Easy sweetheart, Potter needs to be in one piece after this.’ Draco’s voice sounded out in her mind and she jumped at the shock.

“Stop doing that!” She shouted back in her mind and watched as he winced slightly. She felt a bit bad, but only a bit. That git should stay out of her mind! She saw Snape smirk before he brought his tea up to hide it. It angered her a bit more and she huffed loudly.

The boys had taken their seats across from her but slunk down when she huffed. It made her feel a bit guilty because that huff wasn’t directed at them but she was pleased that they felt bad. “You should slink down. I can’t believe the nerve of you two.”

“Mione, we’re sorry,” Harry said softly.

“Don’t call me that!” She snapped. “Only my friends get to call me that and apparently, I’m not trustworthy enough to be your friend!” Her voice had rose high enough to gain the attention of half the hall. She lowered it down to a hiss. “You give me one reason why I shouldn’t hex the limbs off of you two.”

“I didn’t know Hermione!” Ron pleaded. “I just went along with Harry.”

“If Harry jumped off a cliff, would you?” She yelled and then winced when the hall went silent.

Ron ducked his head in embarrassment, his face reddening. “No. Are you alright though?”

“I’m just fine, thank you Ronald,” Hermione said snippily. She was having a hard time controlling her anger, her emotions still raw from the events of the night before and the stress of the weeks before that.

Harry cleared his throat. “Look Hermione, it wasn’t you I was spying on alright? I was worried about you. I thought they were up to something horrible and I didn’t want you do have to deal with it alone. I’m sorry.”

“Yes, well did it occur to you that had you interfered, I might very well be dead right now?” Hermione hissed almost under her breath.

Harry looked like he was fixing to cry and her eyes softened. “Harry, it’s nice that you wanted to protect me but I am a big girl now. I can take care of myself. Next time just trust me Harry.”

“You don’t talk to me anymore Hermione. We used to tell each other everything,” Harry said sadly. “I miss my friend.”

Hermione’s face softened. “I miss you too Harry but things change. I will always be your friend, never doubt that, but I had to do this on my own. You’ll have things you’ll need to do on your own as well and I’ll let you do them. It’s time we grew up, don’t you think?”

Harry nodded. “I really am sorry Hermione. Please tell us though. Did it work?”

Hermione smiled. “It did! I’ve never felt better. Last night worked wonders.”

Ginny choked on her pumpkin juice and she shot her a dirty look. Ginny held up a napkin and tried to stifle the uncontrollable giggles that were trying to escape. When she’d finally gotten herself under control, she put the napkin down and tried to look innocent.

“Um Hermione?” Ron asked, still looking curiously at his sister. “What did you do to your hair?”

“What?” Hermione asked innocently and reached up to feel the crystals that had been woven into it. “Oh these?”

“Yea. You’ve got bits of rocks in your hair. It looks ridiculous, like you fell down in a rock bed and forgot to brush your hair.”

“Ron, you idiot!” Ginny snapped. “They are crystals and I think they make her look gorgeous.”

Ron’s ears turned pink. “Well, why are they there? You’ve never put stuff in your hair before, well except for your quills.”

“I just felt like it,” Hermione said and blushed bright red, thinking of why they were still there. She looked up to see that Draco’s eyes were boring into hers.

'You look like a goddess and he’s jealous.' His voice rang out in her mind. She quickly averted her eyes but Ginny caught their heated look and chortled.

“What is so bloody funny?” Ron snapped.

Ginny stopped short and glared at him for a moment. “Nothing your tiny mind could comprehend Ron.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ginny sighed. “Hermione wanted to look good for her boyfriend back home so I wove some crystals in her hair. It looks beautiful and I can guarantee that she’ll hardly get a chance to breathe before he snogs her silly.”

Ron flushed deeply and looked like he was fixing to blow a gasket. He stood up and took a deep breath to say something that was most likely going to be incredibly stupid but was interrupted.

“You can change the packaging Granger, but you’ll never be able to hide your filthy heritage.” Hermione felt Draco’s disgust and self-loathing when he uttered that statement. “He probably won’t know the difference though, being a stupid muggle and all. You can have disgustingly tainted little babies.”

Hermione pushed back from the bench, shaking in anger. It hurt but she’d felt his anxiety and could read his thoughts clearly. His friends were suspicious of them for some reason. “Shut it ferret. Why don’t you take your inbred, pug-faced, harpy of a girlfriend and do what your felon daddy says. Have lots of little inbred babies who will probably be squibs!”

Hermione thought she was going to be sick. She could feel the deep hurt her words had caused and the insecurity he felt at her statements. She wanted so badly to leap across the table and kiss him and tell him she didn’t mean it but his thoughts broke through. His friends believed them.

“You’ll be sorry you said that you filthy little mudblood!” Pansy hissed and drew her wand. Prepared this time, Hermione picked hers up off the table.

“Anytime, anywhere Parkinson!” Hermione snapped.

“Put your wands away.” Snape’s deep baritone washed over the group. “Miss Granger, need I remind you of how dangerously close you are to being expelled?”

Hermione ducked her head. “No sir,” she whispered.

“Mr. Malfoy, I suggest you and your housemates return from whence you came.”

“Of course Professor,” Draco drawled and motioned for everyone to follow him.

“My office, Miss Granger, as soon as you are done eating,” Snape drawled. She nodded in acknowledgement and he billowed out the door.

“You know Mione, you’re scary sometimes,” Ron said in awe. “Brilliant, but scary.”

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat down to finish her breakfast. She wasn’t about to go hungry because of her inability to hold her tongue. Well, Draco started it but still. She thought about the look on his face and the emotions flowing through him and felt horrible. He didn’t deserve all that but he’d hurt her too. This was going to be so much more complicated. Suddenly, she didn’t feel hungry anymore. She pushed her plate away and left without so much as a goodbye to anyone.

A few feet outside of the Great Hall she felt a bit dizzy. Then all the emotions and thoughts that had been a steady murmur in her head suddenly vanished. Draco had cut her off and it made her feel even worse. Bile rose in her throat and she ran full out to the bathroom where she emptied the contents of her stomach.

In the Great Hall, Draco was disgusted with himself. His friends were having a jolly laugh at how he’d put the ugly little Gryffindor mudblood in her place and almost gotten her expelled. It made him want to punch something. Afraid that Hermione would feel his anger and think it was towards her, he blocked her from seeing his mind. Of course her words had stung him, but it was necessary.

Pansy and Blaise had gone on and on about how Snape had cornered Granger and then gotten a bit too close for a mere teacher/student relationship when he didn’t think they were looking. Draco, not thinking, came to the defense immediately, saying that Snape probably didn’t want anyone overhearing their conversation. When they accused him of being a lecher, Draco nearly exploded with rage and said the wrong thing. “Granger wouldn’t go for a bitter old man like Snape.”

That statement, of course, brought on wild accusations that he had designs on her. After all, they’d all seen him going in to talk to Snape during her detentions. He hadn’t realized that someone had been watching him that closely. Their accusations were mostly true but they didn’t need to know that. He spun a tale about how he was getting Snape’s help with some spells for his project and that he’d stayed to watch him humiliate the bushy haired chit. He cringed inside when he’d said that but once again, it was necessary.

Now they were thoroughly convinced that Draco didn’t like the little stuck up twat any more than they did. They couldn’t have been further from the truth. After the words had come spilling out of his mouth, he’d felt horrible. The look of hurt and anger on her face had almost cracked him and he was mere seconds from jumping the table and begging for forgiveness. Then she’d come back with the most hurtful thing she could have possibly said, all the while her mind had felt sick at the words she spewed.

“Did you see the look on that stupid cunt’s face?” Pansy cackled. “It looked like someone had told her she failed. Of course, that’s all she cares about anyway. Iron knickers Granger, someone would have to get some oil out just to open those legs, isn’t that right Drakey-poo?”

Draco sucked in a deep breath at that comment. It was all he could do not to thoroughly pummel Pansy right now. “Sure,” he managed to bite out and excused himself from the table. “Things to do,” He mumbled before he stalked out of the hall.

“Do you think she’s pregnant?” He heard Parvarti Patel ask Lavender Brown as they exited the girl’s loo.

“Are you kidding? Granger only loves her books. Besides, who would shag her?” Lavender laughed loudly. “She’s probably just sick…or she’s trying to lose weight to make herself look better.”

“Still, she didn’t look very good.” Parvarti looked back at the door pensively.

“Oh let her be. She said she didn’t want any help. If she passes out, it will be her own fault.”

Draco came to a dead halt. Hermione was sick? He stepped back into a dark corner and disillusioned himself when no one was looking. Then he carefully entered the girl’s bathroom to discover sounds of retching. Looking around to make sure they were alone, he unlocked and opened the stall and saw something that made his heart break.

Hermione had just finished vomiting in the toilet, tears streaming down her face. To his surprise, Myrtle was there, placing her icy fingers on Hermione’s forehead. “There, there. I know how you feel,” Myrtle crooned sympathetically.

“No,” Hermione choked out. “He hates me. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have said it.”

“Yes you should have,” Draco said firmly, causing Hermione to jump a bit and then cower. He released his disillusionment charm. “It was perfect.”

“You cut me off,” she said, heartbroken.

“Only so you didn’t feel my anger at them and think it was meant for you,” He said softly, kneeling down to hold her. He spelled her face clean and then said a few charms to clean and freshen her mouth. Then he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“You aren’t mad at me? What I said was so horrible.”

“What I said was worse. And it killed me to do it but this is what we’re in for ma chére. We’re going to have to say horrible things but we’ll know we didn’t mean them. You’re going to have to get a lot tougher than this my little Gryffindor,” he said affectionately.

She half laughed and nodded, wiping her tears away. She gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek and then rested her head on his chest. He embraced her tenderly and held her to him for a while. It felt so good holding her in his arms. Suddenly, the door banged open and they both gasped.

“Mione?” Ginny called out. Hermione heard a few other girls enter in behind her. Draco replaced his charm but she was sure they’d seen his feet.

“I’m here,” Hermione said weakly. “I’ll be okay. Just give me a minute.”

“I still think she’s pregnant.” She heard Parvarti whisper. She shouldn’t have been able to hear that but it was clear as a bell. Her mouth dropped open in surprise and outrage. She felt Draco’s lips at her ear.

“It looks like your hearing has improved ma chére,” He breathed. She nodded bewilderedly.

“Oh come off it, no one would touch her,” Lavender whispered back.

“I sure as fuck would,” Draco bit out, causing Hermione to jump a bit.

Ginny snorted, obviously having heard what Lavender said. “Shows how much you know. Her boyfriend is much cuter than yours.”

“How would you know?” Lavender spat.

“Because I’ve met them both,” Ginny said, smugness oozing in her tone.

“You’re jealous because I’m dating your brother,” Lavender hissed.

Ginny snorted. “Oh yes, because I have designs on my own brother. Why in the hell would I be jealous of that? You keep him out of my hair. Thanks for that, by the way.”

“Besides,” Parvarti said softly. “You didn’t happen to see the extra set of feet that were in that stall with her a second ago, did you?”

Hermione sucked in a breath and noticed Draco did too. She opened the door and stalked out, making sure to leave it open for Draco to sneak out too.

“Who is that?” Lavender said, squinting at the ripples that Draco was making while trying to get out of the bathroom.

“It’s just me,” Hermione croaked. “I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”

“Um hum,” Lavender said, still squinting at the ripples Draco was making.

'Stop moving!' Hermione shouted in her mind as loud as she could and heard a tiny masculine grunt.

“So who’s your boyfriend Hermione?” Lavender sneered.

“He’s a muggle,” Hermione said softly.

“Alright. Does this muggle have a name? What does he look like.”

“I call him Blondie,” Ginny all but yelled. “He’s got the most gorgeous silvery blue eyes, is really tall, super fit with rock hard abs, has all these really sexy tattoos, and gods what an arse.”

Hermione thought she heard Draco choke for a second and smirked a bit. Ginny was all for high drama.

Lavender's eyes almost bulged out of her head before she regained her composure. “You’re making that up.”

Ginny shrugged. “If you think so. Now, if you two would excuse us, I’ve got to make Mione presentable again for Blondie.”

Lavender huffed and drug Parvarti out of the bathroom. Hermione could hear them muttering. “I swear there was someone in there with her.”

Ginny blew out a breath and put up a silencing charm. “That was close. I’m so sorry you two. If I knew you were both in here, I wouldn’t have let them in.”

“Probably would be a good bet not to let them in ever.” Draco snorted, throwing a locking charm at the door and releasing his disillusionment.

“Agreed,” Ginny said shortly. “Now, let’s get that spell off those crystals so you two can get out of here. What’s the story for today?” She waved her wand and Hermione felt the crystals tremble. She reached up and pulled one out.

Draco plucked it out of her hand and put it back in her hair, waving his hand so it would stay. “We’ll be leaving after everyone is on the train.”

“Well I know that. What I want to know is what to tell everyone on the train. They’ll want to know why you aren’t on it, especially since Hermione is supposed to be going to her parents.”

“Oh! I hadn’t thought of that.” Hermione said worriedly. “I…wait! My parents are gone, aren’t they?”

Ginny nodded her head, sadness in her eyes. “Remus took them home yesterday and obliviated them. They’ve already left for Australia. Since they did so of their own free will, nothing will be in the papers.”

Hermione took a deep breath to keep from crying. It had been her decision after all. Still, this would be her first Christmas without them and who knew how many more would follow. “That’s great,” she croaked. “But what happens if someone sends me mail?”

“The boys always send it addressed to you by owl because Harry is the only one that knows how to use the muggle post. I don’t think he will though, considering you’re supposed to be skiing. Besides, have they ever bothered to write before?”

Hermione snorted and shook her head thoughtfully. “Well, I suppose you could tell them that I was apparated home by Snape so he could talk to my parents. He’s rather impatient and I’ve been in an awful lot of trouble lately.”

Draco picked her up and spun her around as soon as the words flew out of her mouth. “You, my dear, are becoming more and more Slytherin every day and I love it.” He pushed her up against the wall and gave her a passionate kiss that ended way too early.

Ginny giggled. “You two are acting like a couple of newlyweds.”

Draco turned around and quirked an eyebrow at her.

“Oh right, you are!” Ginny laughed. “Now, I’m going to go out in the hall and hex those two twits to within an inch of their lives because I know they are still out there waiting to see who the mysterious boy is”

“About that description Red?” Draco asked with smirk worthy of the devil. “Gods what an arse?”

“It could go either way Blondie,” Ginny said with a wicked smirk of her own. “You are a complete arse, you know.”

“Just so we’re clear,” Draco chortled and disillusioned himself again. “Now, on with the hexing!”

Ginny stomped outside and the couple heard two loud screams, followed by the telltale glopping sound of someone trying to pull a bat bogey off their face.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“It’s about time,” Snape snapped in irritation as they arrived at their meeting spot in the Forbidden Forest. Hermione hastily plucked the last of the crystals out of her hair and popped them in a small bag.

“Sorry godfather,” Draco said cheekily. “We were distracted.”

“I’m sure,” Severus spat as he took in their puffy lips and rumpled clothing.

“What?” Draco barked.

Snape merely shook his head in exasperation. “We were supposed to arrive an hour ago. Now I’ll never hear the end of it. Draco your mother set up an account for you at another venue. When we arrive, we’ll go to the bank and get your allowance. You may do whatever you wish with it. She made sure it is untraceable. Miss Granger, your parents were made aware of their new travel arrangements before they left. They’ve asked me to give you this.” He took a small envelope out of his pocket. “They said that it isn’t much, but they wanted you to have a little something for Christmas. They were not informed of the duration of their trip.”

Hermione nodded, caressing her mother’s handwriting on the front of the envelope. They’d go to the bank for Draco and then she’d request to go shopping for Christmas. A thought occurred to her. “Wait. We’re going to the bank? I thought these people were muggles.”

“Just because they are muggles doesn’t mean they don’t have access to the wizarding world,” Snape said a bit hesitantly. “Now, grab onto the bloody port key so we can go.”

They all placed their hands on the old tin drinking mug that Snape held out. A tug behind their navels and they were sent twisting through space. Hermione thought the trip lasted a lot longer than usual and she was beginning to feel sick before she felt the abrupt halt and her subsequent fall to the ground. Draco helped her up, looking a bit green himself.

“Bat,” a woman said in a flat tone. It was dark out. They’d landed on a street that very much resembled Diagon Alley. The streets were pretty much deserted except for the few stragglers. She turned around to see a figure in a black cloak leaning up against a wall. Her head was lowered so that the cloak obscured her face. She was standing just to the side of a dim street light, a white stick with a red tip flashed in the glow.

“Bitch!” Snape hissed, causing Hermione’s eyes to widen in surprise.

“You’re late.”

“I am never late,” Snape drawled. “I always arrive precisely when I mean to.”

“Spare me.”

“Where’s the harpy?” He asked, annoyance clear in his tone.

“Detained,” she said in acidly. “You know where the bank is. Get your fucking money and contact me when you’re done. I’ll meet you back here.”

“You’ve gotten more pleasant,” Snape spat.

“So sorry,” she said sarcastically. “Welcome to fucking America.”

Snape was about to retort when a high pitched whine stopped him. A rusty colored wolf trotted around the nearby corner. It froze when it saw the three newcomers but shook its head and came to a halt in front of the women.

“How does it look Celeste?” The woman sighed, her tone much softer now.

The wolf howled a mournful cry and then tapped her foot one time.

“That long?” The woman asked sadly.

The wolf nodded its head and then walked over to a bench that was the other side of the streetlight. It jumped up and tapped the bench and then walked back over and placed its nose on the woman’s arm.

“I can’t,” she bit out, almost sounding like she was in pain.

The wolf growled, its hackles rose, its teeth gleamed in the light.

“An impotent growl isn’t going to change the fact that I can’t,” the woman said softly. Hermione thought it was probably too low for a normal human to hear but her hearing was excellent now and she heard it clearly.

The wolf barked loudly three times and then sat down, looking smug.

“You honestly think that’s going to work?”

The wolf nodded and then stalked off, turning the corner and disappearing into the darkness. The woman shook her head softly and snorted. She seemed to realize that they were still there and grunted. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” She growled.

“You keep interesting company,” Snape said slowly.

“You would know,” the woman jeered. “Now go do whatever the fuck you need to. Just make sure you disguise yourselves. I’ve seen a few Death Eaters here the past few weeks.”

“Which ones?” Snape asked, his tone flat.

The woman sighed tiredly. “Does it matter? They’re here. Now disguise yourself and get the fuck out of my sight.”

Snape hissed and the woman’s head bowed slightly before she stiffened and brought it back up, emitting a growl of her own. Snape spun around and took three bottles out of his cloak. Hermione recognized them as polyjuice. He dropped something into each of them and handed them over. Holding her nose, she downed the vial. She crouched slightly, feeling the bubbling of her skin.

When she stood back up, she realized that she was now a tall woman with short hair. Draco was now a short, squatty, middle aged man who was balding. Snape turned into a shorter man with sandy brown hair and nondescript features.

“Does this please you?” He asked the woman sarcastically.

“It’s an improvement, to say the least,” she said coolly and crossed her arms. Hermione noticed that her hands were gloved and each one held the corner of a sleeve so it wouldn’t ride up. She thought it odd.

Snape snorted and twirled around. “The bank is this way. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can come back and enjoy some more American hospitality.”

Hermione heard the woman huff before she turned around to follow the professor. The woman certainly didn’t seem all that pleasant but something was off. She’s spoken so gently to the wolf. Granted, Hermione thought she’d probably talk gently to a wolf as well but it was as if it was her friend. Perhaps it was a familiar or maybe an animagus? It certainly had human tendencies such as nodding and stomping its feet.

She turned around to see the woman grab the stick and sweep it out in front of her. She took one small step and then repeated the procedure. Hermione swore that the woman was limping as well. She turned back around and broke the tense silence they’d been walking in. “She doesn’t look very happy to see you professor.”

Snape snorted. “For the duration of our stay, in public my name is Stanley. I honestly believe I’d prefer father though. You are Roman and Julie Montgomery, newlyweds on their honeymoon from London. Remember it. To answer your question, I’m sure she’d rather see me face down in a ditch somewhere.”

“Like Romeo and Juliet Montague?” Hermione asked, storing his other answer away for the moment.

“Very good,” Snape purred. “I thought you might like the reference.”

“So, father,” Draco drawled. “What do you make of the sudden foreign visitors?”

“A certain scaly person, who shall not be named, may or may not be looking for a very special pair of witches reported to be living on this continent. Their powers are unparalleled and quite unique. I’m amazed that they’ve gotten this far though.”

“How long has he been looking?” Draco asked softly.

“He started 21 years ago. He started again as soon as he came back,” Snape said softly.

Hermione had a feeling she knew who those two witches were but the woman they had met was supposedly a muggle. “How long have you known that woman?”

Snape cleared his throat. “I met her when she was sixteen. I was twenty.” He came to an abrupt halt and pulled out a set of papers and a key. “Roman, here are your papers. Get what you need and get out. It’s best if you are seen alone.”

Draco nodded, took the papers and went inside. 'We’re on the same page Hermione,' he said in her mind and she jumped.

“You’re going to have to learn more control,” Snape hissed. “You cannot jump like that every time he speaks to you.”

“I just need to get used to it,” Hermione said less confidently than she wanted.

Snape sighed. “We’ll be working on that while we are here along with several other things. I’ll reveal more when we are somewhere less crowded.”

Hermione nodded her head. “Prof- um Stanley, how did that woman recognize us?”

“I believe I already mentioned that we’ve met before.”

“Well yes but…her cane,” Hermione said softly.

“What about it?”

“Muggles use a white cane with a red tip if they are blind. When I saw her leave, she swung it in front of her. She’s blind, sir.”

Snape inhaled softly and then shook his head slightly. He closed his eyes, as if in pain and then pinched the bridge of his nose. “She’s less blind than she seems,” he said finally, his voice cracking.

“You care for her,” Hermione whispered.

Snape sighed sadly. “She is one reason in a very long list of why I am not an honorable man. I’m sure she agrees.”

“What happened?”

“Suffice it to say that I was every bit the bastard to her that I am now. We were…friendly…for eleven years. Then my duty got in the way and I never contacted her again.”

“That explains a lot,” Hermione sniffed. “Still, there is something wrong with her.”

“Why do you say that Miss G…er, Julie?”

“There were several things. She kept a cloak over her face, her hands were gloved, she held tightly to her sleeves so her arms wouldn’t be exposed. She told that wolf that she couldn’t sit down and when she walked away, she did so very slowly and I’m sure she had a limp. Sir, are you sure that was her?”

“Positive. No one knows her pet name for me. It is why that word was the first out of her mouth. Are you sure she had a limp?”

“I think so,” She said, biting her lip.

Snape’s eyes narrowed slightly. Before he could respond, Draco came back out of the bank. “Well, the American goblins certainly aren’t any more pleasant than the English ones.”

“Let’s hurry and get back,” Snape said distractedly and took off for their original meeting place.

Draco placed his arm around Hermione’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. 'It is surprisingly easy to listen to a conversation through your ears.' He spoke directly to her mind.

'Stay out of my head.' Hermione groused back.

'Make me.' Draco challenged, causing Hermione to elbow him in retaliation and then slammed the wall down in her mind. Draco winced and rubbed his head.

“A bit more finesse if you’d please,” he hissed.

“No. You deserved that,” Hermione snapped.

Draco was about to retort when they came to a halt at the place where they’d met the woman. Snape pulled out a small cell phone and dialed a number.

“Who’s this?” He said gruffly when he got an answer. “What do you mean she can’t?” His lips thinned into a hard line. “I see.” He listened for a few minutes and then nodded. “Directions?” He listened for a bit. “Fine,” He spat and snapped the phone shut. Hermione cocked her head in question.

“It seems you were right. The wolf apparently contacted a doctor and he dragged her to his office. Of course, she is infuriatingly stubborn and one hell of a fighter and is refusing treatment. The wolf is coming to show us the way in hopes that I can talk her into giving up.” He snorted.

“Oh yes because a woman who apparently hates you will listen so much better,” Draco said sarcastically.

Snape raised an eyebrow as if to say ‘she could’ and started walking toward the corner. The wolf appeared seconds later and started again. It squinted distrustfully and crouched down defensively. “Polyjuice,” Snape drawled softly. The wolf nodded and turned around.

They walked five blocks down the street before they turned down a small alleyway. They walked all the way down to the end, stopping at a rather scary looking door. It had a gargoyle knocker and was painted blood red. The dim light above it flickered softly. The wolf scratched three times and then howled.

The door opened to reveal a very handsome man with a frown on his face. He had sandy brown hair that fell to the middle of his upper arm. His warm brown eyes flickered warily to each of their faces. “If I were to ask you to sing, which part would you take?”

Snape sighed. “I’d take both harmony and melody, for I couldn’t possibly separate the two.”

The man nodded and stepped to the side. She noticed that he was about three inches shorter than Snape but a bit stockier. The man looked to her and Draco suspiciously. She could hardly blame him for being cautious. “My children,” Snape said softly and the man nodded again, motioning for them to come through. The wolf followed and clambered to the back room.

Snape stopped and went rigid, breathing deeply. His eyes widened in fear and he looked around quickly. Draco quickly stepped up beside her, as if to protect her from some unseen harm. Snape was certainly acting like they were in danger.

“What happened?” The professor snapped.

“The same thing that always happens.” The man spoke softly in a slight French accent. “They separated for only a few minutes, long enough to grab a coke at the store. They were waiting for her, drug her into the bathroom.” Snape seemed to quit breathing. “Of course, her sister came to the rescue…or tried anyway.”

“Where are they?” He asked, his voice trembling.

“Down the hallway on the left,” the man said sadly before whistling. The wolf came clambering back up the hallway. “Show them.” The wolf nodded and ran back down the hall.

Hermione was surprised at how easily she could keep up, the legs of her borrowed body much longer than her own. Walking through the door, she bit back a scream. A man was bent over a prone form, wand out and casting dozens of healing charms. His jet black hair was shoulder length and when he turned his head, she could see a streak of solid white running through it.

The person on the bed was covered in blood and twitching, obviously in pain. She guessed it to be a woman from the high heeled shoes they were wearing. Her clothes were in tatters and Hermione could see where the bones in her legs were popping through the skin. She took deep breaths to keep from throwing up. Across the room, the woman in the cloak they’d met earlier was huddled in the corner, a silver dagger held defensively in front of her.

“Harmony,” Snape said in an anguished voice, walking up next to the man who was healing her. “How bad?”

“You name it, it’s probably broken. I’ve already repaired the internal damage, well everything other than from the…lower… assault but I have to stop all this bleeding. She’s dangerously low.” He turned his head and inhaled sharply and Hermione squeaked. He had bright indigo eyes and long fangs. “Any more and I’ll have to turn her to keep her here.” He looked down and started casting again.

Snape looked around frantically. “Where are the potions?”

“Next room over,” the man grunted, never missing a spell. Snape disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Trembling, Draco walked over to the woman. His skin bubbled and he turned back into himself. “Where do I start?”

“You know how to heal bones?” The man snapped. Draco nodded. “Start at the bottom. We’ll meet in the middle.”

Draco nodded again and took out his wand. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Something pulled Hermione towards him and made her place her hand on his shoulder. She turned back to herself as she reached him. They started glowing brightly and he cast the first spell. The woman’s leg came together with a sickening snapping noise. Then he cast another spell and the skin closed.

Snape, looking like himself, came running back into the room with a basket full of potions. One by one, he uncorked, sniffed, and then poured the vials down the woman’s throat. Hermione could see her face now, or what was left of it. It looked like someone had put it in a meat grinder. She shut her eyes tightly and concentrated only on Draco. She stood there for the better part of half an hour while listening to charm after charm and clinking bottles.

“That’s all she can handle right now,” the healer spoke finally. Hermione opened her eyes. The woman looked much better, her bones all in place now and most of the gashes repaired. Her face was smooth, only a few scratches were visible along with extensive bruising. Her eyes were swollen shut and she appeared to be sleeping peacefully.

Snape nodded and turned around. He took a deep breath and stalked across the room. The woman had scooted as far into the corner as she could, the dagger still out in front of her. “Melody,” he said softly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Like you’d cares” She spat.

“Of course I care,” he said softly. “I would have come sooner and helped.”

“You’re about six years too late bat,” she said softly.

“Tell me what happened,” he said, his voice smooth as silk.

“You didn’t come,” she said brokenly. Snape’s head lowered sadly. “I was so used to…and then you didn’t. I was stupid...got angry…couldn’t hold it. Harmony rescued me. Someone saw...spied…found out. It was just one at first. Lottery numbers…team scores…then greed and more started. Now the Death Eaters…and more threats. I told her not to go in without me. She insisted. I fought so hard, used every trick you taught me. It wasn’t enough.”

Snape fell to his knees in despair. “How often?”

“At first, once every six months or so. The first time, we agreed. It seemed simple. They came back...we refused. Celeste found us.” She pointed to the wolf who was sitting in the opposite corner of the room, watching stoically. “She got Philippe.” She pointed to the door, obviously meaning the man who had let them in. “He patched us up.”

“The next time-“ she hiccupped. “There were only two. It got worse.” She started sobbing quietly and Snape shifted, obviously wanting to go to her.

“Put the dagger down Melody. Harmony will be okay. It’s your turn,” he said softly.

“No. Not until she wakes up.” She hiccupped again.

“She’s not going to wake up for at least another 2 hours,” Draco said softly. “I put her into an enchanted sleep so she wouldn’t thrash around and reinjure herself.”

“Come on Melody, put the dagger down and let us help you,” Snape pleaded, his voice cracking.

Melody dropped the dagger and slid down the wall, crying out sharply when she hit the ground. Snape practically flew over and scooped her up. Draco transfigured a nearby chair into another table so he could set her down. Snape vanished her robe and let out a choked cry. Melody’s clothing was nothing more than scraps, hanging on her by a few bloody threads. Her hair was caked in blood, face a mass of bruises and scrapes. One of her eyes was swollen completely shut but the other was wide open. A white iris stared unseeingly at the ceiling.

There were bruises and slashes all over her body but what made Hermione sick was the trail of blood that had trickled down her legs. She fell to her knees and took deep breaths, trying not to vomit. Draco kneeled beside her and rubbed her back. “I’ll need your help again sweetheart. Can you do it?”

Hermione nodded and stood up, steeling herself. It was possible that she’d see much worse in the future. She closed her eyes and concentrated on providing Draco with the balance he needed to cast healing charms. She heard Snape talking to Melody, obviously trying to keep her mind off of both her sister and the healing she was receiving.

“Where does the vampire come into all this?”

Melody snorted. “The vampire has a name. Alex. He also has a terrific sense of smell.”

The vampire spoke up. “I found them while taking a stroll in the park.”

“You mean looking for a bite to eat,” Snape said softly.

“If that’s what you’d prefer to call it. They had been dumped there. I thought I was going to have to turn them but I was able to patch them back up. Celeste came sniffing around the next day.”

“How does a vampire become a healer?” Draco asked curiously.

“I was a doctor first. I’ve only been a vampire for five years now. I didn’t want to give up my former life so I opened up a night clinic. When Celeste and Philippe showed up, we became partners. He runs the clinic during the day.”

“Something isn’t right,” Snape said softly. “Harmony would have known.”

“You honestly think she didn’t?” Melody sneered.

“She meant to spare you,” Snape growled.

“And she failed miserably. They know we are a package deal by now.”

“Melody,” Alex said softly. “May I listen to your abdomen?”

“Don’t bother,” she snapped. “They don’t want to catch freak germs, just cause pain.”

“The object?” Alex asked in a trembling voice. It wasn’t hard to hear that he was angry.

“Felt like a baseball bat,” she whispered. “Couldn’t exactly see it coming, could I?”

Hermione bit her lip to keep from crying. She couldn’t begin to imagine the horror these two had gone through. What could be so important that they’d need to beat it out of them?

“How long ago?” Snape asked.

“Don’t bother Sev,” Melody sighed tiredly. “They were muggles.”

“Are the Death Eaters separate then?” Snape asked in a low tone.

“I think so but if they find those muggles, well you know what will happen,” she said tiredly. “Sev, I just want to go home. I’m so tired.”

“You’re done,” Alex said softly. Draco had stepped back and Hermione was able to open her eyes again. Melody looked much better but she was still caked in blood. Since her injuries weren’t quite so severe, they were able to heal her fully.

“How long have you been completely blind?” Snape asked as he looked into her white eyes.

“I’m not completely blind Sev.” She groaned as she sat up gingerly. “I can still see here just fine but it makes it harder to fight the muggles for sure.”

“How long?” Snape snapped.

“Five years bat!” She snapped. “It started deteriorating when you didn’t come back. It got worse with each time…anyway, I can’t see at home at all. Please take us home,” She pleaded tiredly.

“Where’s the port key?” Snape looked tired and Hermione could tell that he was trying very hard not to lose it. He looked close to breaking down and either bawling or punching a wall into dust. She figured he’d prefer physical violence at this point. She didn’t blame him.

“You can’t leave here,” Alex growled. “You aren’t well and Harmony is in no shape to travel.”

“She can heal at home just as well as she can here,” Melody snapped. “You know I’ll be back tomorrow. Let it go.”

Alex hissed his displeasure and she bowed her head just as she did to Snape earlier. “I’m still leaving Alex, with or without your permission. Don’t worry. Batty here is a giant bastard but he’s the best potion master in Europe. Besides, you have so much in common.” She smirked and Snape hissed this time.

Alex rose an eyebrow and then cocked his head. He smiled. “Another one?” He asked Melody and she nodded. “Very well. I’ll see you tomorrow before dawn.” He gave her a gentlemanly bow and left the room.

“The port key is in my cloak, the bit of rope. Can you hold on to Harmony? I’m not strong enough,” Melody said sadly.

Snape nodded and walked across the room where he’d vanished her cloak to. He dug around in the pocket until he found the rope and then walked back over and draped the cloak over her. Then he scooped Harmony up as gently as he could and held one end of the rope. Everyone else placed a hand on it and they were whizzing through the air once again.

They landed in a cozy living room. Two brown leather couches and two chairs were grouped around a wooden coffee table. A large picture window behind that showed a beautiful meadow with a small stand of trees in the distance. In the corner, there was a nice stone fireplace. A fully decorated Christmas tree was on the opposite wall. A set of stairs were just beyond the tree. There was another doorway behind her that looked to lead to the kitchen.

“Same room?” Snape asked. Melody nodded and he jogged upstairs with Harmony lying limply in his arms.

Melody turned to Hermione and Draco with a tired smile on her face. “I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Melody Bach, no relation to the musician; mom just had a strange sense of humor. It’s nice to meet you.”

Draco cleared his throat and stuck out his hand to shake hers. “Draco Malfoy and this is Hermione Granger, um, Malfoy, my wife.”

“Hermione Granger um Malfoy, interesting name. They are both much better than Roman and Julie Montgomery.” Melody laughed lightly, her white eyes seeming to center directly on them. “It is wonderful to meet you both. I hate to be a rude host but I’m afraid I need a bit of rest. Your rooms are just up the stairs, third door on the left. The bat will be one door down. Harmony and I are the last two on the right.” She pointed as she talked, her eyes still trained on their faces. It was a bit unnerving.

“Now, the one thing you must remember is that this is a muggle establishment. The one rule is no magic in the house. The land, however, is different. Dumbledore charmed it himself. It will shield you from any eyes that don’t need to know. I assume you’ll be out there for much of your stay, best cast a warming charm. The wind is quite wicked here.”

“Where exactly is here?” Hermione asked politely.

“Here is middle of nowhere, Texas. The closest city is Lubbock, about an hour north. It’s flat, dry, dusty, and windy as all get out but the sunrises are beautiful, the sunsets are better, and it’s been my home for 32 years. This is a working ranch. Many of the hands live in the bunk house next door but this is the main house. They’ll be in and out all day. If you get hungry, the kitchen is through that door by the Christmas tree. Yell for Maria and you’ll have a meal fit for a king in less than twenty minutes.”

Snape came flying down the stairs and halted right in front of Melody, his eyes bright and haunted.

“Something wrong bat?” Melody asked nonchalantly.

“She’s made another one,” he said softly. “About me.”

“Ah, that’s an old one. She’s been at it for a while now.”

“How long?” Snape breathed.

“A few weeks before you were supposed to come,” Melody said sadly. Then she sidestepped Snape and walked off, taking very tiny steps and muttering about how she’d left her stick. She ran into the side of the couch and cursed furiously and quite loudly. Snape grabbed her arm and walked her around it. She stopped him and turned around.

“One more thing. There are no house elves here, only humans. Treat them nicely. The maid comes every morning to change the sheets and collect your dirty clothes. Don’t leave your wands lying about please.” She turned back around and tried to feel her way out of the room and cursed loudly when she hit a wall. Snape sighed and scooped her up into his arms. He flew upstairs again.

“Well sweetheart,” Draco said softly. “This will definitely be the most interesting holiday I’ve ever had.”

Hermione smiled softly and walked up the stairs, thoughts whirring in her brain.

AN: Thanks to everyone for your reviews. You have no idea how wonderful it makes me feel reading them. As always, let me know how I'm doing and if there are any errors.
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