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
- 15
- 16
- 17
To say that Hermione was annoyed would be like saying that Umbridge made fifth year inconvenient. Ever since they’d returned from Diagon Alley, Harry would not shut up about Draco being up to something. He was like a dog with a bone, unwilling to accept any logical reason her or Ron gave him to his claims. She knew Harry was right but to hear him talk about her mate like that made her teeth itch. It was when Harry claimed that Draco was a Death Eater that she had to leave the house.

“Something wrong?” Remus’s kind voice cut into her thoughts.

She sighed and peered out from behind what was quickly becoming her favorite tree by the river. It had a lovely little fork in it just perfect for sitting with a branch that served as a nice back rest. When the Burrow got to be too much, she’d escape to her tree and gaze at the river.

“Just Harry…again.”

“Still blaming Draco?”

She nodded sadly. “I can’t very well tell him the truth.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’d blow his top!” She jumped gracefully from the tree and started strolling down the riverbank. “Not only would Draco’s position be compromised, I would be in serious trouble. I spoke with Headmaster Dumbledore about it a few days ago. He wishes that Harry be kept in the dark until the last possible moment.”

“About?” Remus asked, his head cocked in curiosity.

She shrugged. “Everything I suppose. I’m sure he wants Harry’s main focus to be on lessons but, Remus, you know Harry. He’ll not let it rest until he knows what’s going on. If I tell him, there is a chance that You-Know-Who could find out. He might not be welcome in Harry’s mind anymore, but if Harry can see his dreams and thoughts, there is no way to tell he can as well. It would be…most dangerous.”

Remus hummed and nodded his head, contemplating Hermione’s reasoning. “I suppose you’re right. There is no way to tell for certain. I can understand your hesitance on both sides, keeping your friend in the dark versus a fail proof plan to keep your mate safe. I can’t imagine the amount of stress that would cause me.”

She sniffed. “I thought vampires had it easy. Stay away from sun, suck blood at night, avoid sharp wooden objects.”

He chucked heartily and shook his head. “Yes well, beings a creature isn’t all its cracked up to be. For example, I’ve been sent to tell you that the Ministry car leaves in ten minutes and that I am to report to my post immediately.”

“Oh dear,” she cried. “I mean, I can pack in six seconds flat but…so soon?”

“I’m afraid so.” Remus stopped and fingered her collar for a few moments. “Is it still working?”

“For now,” she said softly. “But it seems to quit completely when we get to Hogwarts.”

“Too much magic,” Remus said with a knowing nod. “Severus did indeed create a very powerful collar but Hogwarts magic is very old, and therefore negates any sort of controlling magic. That’s why I had to complete my turning in the shack. The wolfsbane potion was completely ineffective if we were within the walls.”

“I wonder if it will still work on the train,” she breathed.

“I’m afraid we won’t know until we get there.”

“We?”

“Oh yes,” Remus said with a mischievous smirk. “You won’t be alone.”

“Wonderful,” she said with an answering smirk.

Remus wasn’t joking at all…and that was now wearing on her nerves. The Aurors sent to escort Harry to Platform 9 ¾ were little more than brutes. They manhandled Harry at every turn and she was hard pressed not to rip them limb from limb. She and Ron were barely able to tell him goodbye before they had to be in the prefects’ meeting.

At least in the prefects’ compartment, she didn’t have to worry about over enthusiastic Aurors. Unfortunately, she did have to worry about everyone else. Without Harry there as a buffer, she was assaulted with hundreds of smells, most beyond delicious. These humans weren’t grimy street urchins or boozed up bar patrons. They were older children at the peak of their health and well fed. And the best part was that her collar wasn’t working.

“First order of business,” the head girl started and then grumbled when a latecomer staggered in. “Malfoy, I’ll thank you to be on time!”

Draco shrugged and plopped down in the seat beside Hermione. It didn’t look deliberate, since there weren’t any other spots and Pansy didn’t want to sit next to her. However, she knew he did it on purpose. She felt herself relax a fraction with his welcome smell beside her but couldn’t give anything away. Ron’s look of disgust was enough to keep her in check.

“How are you?” Draco muttered under his breath as the head girl went into vivid detail about the year’s rules, regulations, activities, and duties.

“Hungry. You?”

“Starving.”

“Hope we hunt tonight.”

“Doubt it,” Draco whispered darkly.

She sighed sadly and tapped her tongue ring, lime cordial flooding her mouth and soothing her frazzled nerves. She bit back a giggle when she heard an answering tap from Draco. He’d been more than a bit reluctant to get his tongue ring, but realized that it was the best way. Besides, he could always slide in a metal one and make his father scream from Azkaban.

“Meeting dismissed!”

Hermione was never so glad for those two words. Draco and a blood pellet or not, she was having a very hard time restraining herself. She could tell Draco was just as bad. His hands were trembling slightly from holding off. She hung back as everyone filed out of the compartment except for her, Draco, and Ron. When Ron motioned for her to follow him, she made a show of dropping her folder, schedules flying everywhere. Draco did his part, laughing heartily and making fun of her clumsiness as she grumbled and knelt to grab them.

“You go on Ron. I’ll find you in a moment.”

“But Mione-“

“No!” She cut him off, looking him straight in the eye and hoping against hope he wouldn’t feel the influence she was putting over him. “Go on and I’ll find you.”

“Okay Mione,” Ron said a bit dreamily and left in a haze.

“That wasn’t smart,” Draco said with a frown.

She huffed and flicked her wand to tidy everything up. “Worked, didn’t it?”

Draco smirked and closed the door to the train, locking and obscuring the window. His eyes heated with lust as he studied her. “I suppose it did. That was quite Slytherin of you. So Granger, what ever are you going to do?”

“What do you mean?” She said feigning innocence.

“Well, you’re all alone now with only a snake to keep you company.”

“Hmmm, thought you were a dragon?”

“Only in bed,” he chuckled.

She quirked a brow and gave him a sexy smile. “Oh?”

“Well,” he hedged and pressed her against the door. “I suppose I could make an exception...just this once you understand.”

Hermione’s head spun from lust but her nagging logical mind called for her to stop this. “Of course…but have you forgotten that we only have a few minutes?”

Draco growled in annoyance. “Hang them.”

“And if they come looking? What if they discovered we were locked in here together?”

“I’ll turn into mist,” Draco said with a shrug.

“Draco please,” she pleaded softly. “I really don’t want to rush this.”

He sighed and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Alright love…but we’re going to meet tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said with a beaming smile and waited while he unwarded the door.

The remainder of the ride to Hogwarts was spent in a carriage with Ron and Luna. Harry and Ginny had been called to have a visit with Slughorn. She had to snort when she’d been told that. Severus had told her all about Slughorn and his “collecting” ways. The new potions master was all about connections. She was glad her father gained his coveted DADA spot. If anyone could teach them anything, it would be him. She was still worried about the class though. He’d said he would be using dark curses and she knew she was still attracted to them.

She had to hide her disgust as she listened in on the conversation happening several carriages away. The called students were treated to dinner and an interrogation. She was pleased that Ginny was called in on her own merit though. No one ever gave the youngest Weasley any credit but she was quite the warrior. She could only hope that Harry would finally realize how attracted he was to her. She could smell the pheromones every time they were in the same room together.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts and brought her runes book a bit closer to her face. The combination of all the smells and the murmurings of hundreds of students set her teeth on edge. It was better if she focused on a specific conversation…like Slughorn dismissing his diners. She waited with baited breath for Ginny, Harry, and Neville to return and then cursed under her breath when she heard Harry break away.

“Hey Mione,” Ginny said brightly as soon as she bounced into the carriage. “So, that was interesting.”

“Was it?” Hermione asked, feigning annoyance.

Really, her vampire side didn’t give one whit about eating with a pompous old windbag but her human side would have been upset because she wasn’t invited as well. Since her friends were already suspicious of her behavior, it wouldn’t do to have them pointing out yet another oddity, especially in front of anyone else. Luna in particular had a very keen sense of intuition and she didn’t want to catch her attention at all.

“Oh come on,” Ginny ribbed good naturedly. “I’m sure once he looks at your record, you’ll be eating pheasant in no time.”

“Joy,” she said dryly and went back to reading, or at least looking that way. Her ears were still trained on where Harry was.

“What’s wrong with this thing?”

Hermione jerked in her seat when she realized she’d heard the angry voice of Blaise Zabini as he banged his carriage door. She could hear Harry grunt softly and Draco swear a bit as the raucous continued. Her stomach bottomed out when she finally realized what happened. He’d snuck in their carriage to spy on Draco. Merlin! What was she going to do? She settled for listening to their conversation as she clenched her book tighter.

“So Zabini,” Draco drawled. “What did Slughorn want?”

“Just trying to make up to well-connected people, not that he managed to find many.”

“Who else had he invited?” Draco asked sharply.

“McLaggen from Gryffindor.”

“Oh yeah,” Draco mused. “His uncle’s big in the Ministry.”

“Someone else called Belby, from Ravenclaw.”

“Not him, he’s a prat!” Pansy Parkinson screeched.

“And Longbottom, Potter, and that Weasley girl.”

“He invited Longbottom?” Draco asked indignantly.

Hermione sighed. It made her both proud and immensely sad that Draco was playing his part so well. She cringed when they started discussing what they’d be doing the next year. Draco was playing up the fact that he wouldn’t need school once the Dark Lord won. At least they never discussed his role in the war. When Draco made the announcement they needed to get changed, she jumped and realized that she hadn’t done so yet. She had barely shimmied into her robes before the train came to a stop. She heard Draco wave his friends on without him, leaving him and Harry alone in the compartment.

“Come on Mione!” Ron barked. “Time to go!”

“Oh!” She had just realized she was standing there like a statue with her mouth agape. Stepping out of the way, she maneuvered into the carriage beside her mate. The train was clear before she heard it.

“Patrificus Totalus!”

Her heart skipped a beat, realizing that Harry was now petrified.

“I thought so,” Draco said triumphantly. “I heard Goyle’s trunk hit you. And I thought I saw something white flash through the air after Zabini came back. You didn’t hear anything I care about, Potter. But while I’ve got you here…”

Hermione flashed out of her hiding spot and knocked frantically on the door. She managed to conjure a nondescript black robe with a hood over her robes so as to disguise herself.

“What?” Draco hissed as he opened the door.

“Don’t do it!” She pleaded.

His eyes softened and he smirked. “Why, whatever do you mean? Potter and I were just having a friendly chat, weren’t we Potter?”

Harry glared up from his crouching position in the floor. Of course, he was unable to do anything but crouch. Still, his eyes held a fury that made her shiver. She shook her head and looked back at her mate. “Come with me please?”

Draco glanced over his shoulder and then back at her. “Alright love, just a moment.”

“But-“

“No!” He ordered sharply and then spoke under his breath. “I won’t hurt him…badly… but he’s got to stay off my scent.”

“This won’t help,” she pleaded.

He sighed and leaned against the door of the compartment. “And if I did nothing?”

Her head hung slightly. “He’d suspect something.”

“Exactly. Go on. I’ll be there in a moment.”

She nodded and walked off the train slowly, cringing when she heard Harry’s nose snap and Draco’s sharp retort of revenge for his father. It made her sick but it wasn’t a fraction of what he could have done. The train left the dock and she knew her friend was still on it. Hopefully, someone would find him soon. She’d sent word to Remus to look for Harry.

“I’m sorry,” Draco said softly as they walked together and caught the last thestral-drawn carriage to Hogwarts.

“I know,” she said miserably and brushed away a stray pink tear.

He sighed and pulled her into his arms. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Just…just leave us alone this year. Maybe if you don’t draw attention to yourself, then he’ll forget.”

Draco nibbled on his lip in thought for a moment before nodding. “Okay then. I’ll just focus on my mission. Happy now?”

Hermione gave him a smile and a nod. “Thank you Draco.”

“Anything for you love.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Welcome back students for another year here at Hogwarts.”

Hermione sighed sadly as she listened to Dumbledore speak. Harry still hadn’t arrived but her father had made a hasty exit shortly after the Headmaster stood up to give the welcoming speech. She hoped that meant that he’d been found. Instead of letting herself fall into despair at the thought, she concentrated on breathing. Even having come to the school for weeks to work on her wandless magic, her lungs were still on fire. Melody ensured her that it would get better but she didn’t see how.

“And now, the sorting.”

The hat’s message was…well, old hat, the thought of which made her snicker quietly. She watched in amusement as the tiny little first years lined up to be sorted into their houses. Merlin, was she really that small? She remembered her sorting like it was yesterday, the excitement and nervousness. After all, your house defined you…at least she thought it did. Now she had been thoroughly jaded. Gryffindors were brave and courageous but Peter Pettigrew was a cowardly little twat. Hufflepuffs were fair-minded but Justin Finch-Flechley sure turned his back on Harry in a hurry in only their second year. Ravenclaws were smart but that didn’t stop Marietta Edgecombe from being stupid and breaking an agreement. And Slytherin…well, her views on the sneaky, self-serving house had turned completely.

Her eyes wandered over to Draco as a tiny little chap with a mop of curly black hair was sorted into Slytherin. He was currently nodding absentmindedly while Pansy prattled on about her time in Rome. His eyes met hers in a heated gaze before a smirk drifted over his features and he turned. She fought down a blush and tapped her tongue ring again. The high concentration of magic was getting to her. Oh how she wished she could eat a blood pop right about then. Lime cordial was nice but it wasn’t as long lasting as she wanted.

“Let’s eat!”

She mentally groaned as food appeared on the table. It was everything she’d ever loved as a human, roasted chicken, mushy peas, mash, and cottage loaf. She carefully filled her plate, making sure it looked full but there wasn’t a lot of wasted food. If she was going to vanish it anyway, she didn’t want to take a large portion. She stared longingly at the kettle of tea, knowing she couldn’t drink it. It too tasted like ash in her mouth. She doggedly set out her cup anyway and just as she went to pour, a thick, red substance appeared inside. She jumped and hastily set the pot down, picking up the cup to inspect the new contents that smelled exactly like tea but looked like blood. A sip confirmed her suspicions, definitely blood.

Draco gave a loud bark of laughter and she flinched, looking up to see him with a matching cup. They both looked toward the head table where a beaming Dumbledore sat. So, he’d probably put the elves up to it. They gave each other a quick, discrete toast and drank down the ambrosia that soothed their nerves. She drank hers slowly, savoring each sip and casually vanishing bites of food as she did so. She was careful never to let her cup get out of her sight though, less someone see its contents.

Harry came stumbling in during pudding, his face bruised and bloody from Draco’s mild assault on the train. Her father merely sneered behind him and swaggered up to the dais, also taking a cup and drinking deeply from it. In all the years he’d been there, she hadn’t seen him quite that happy about drinking. What made Dumbledore decide to accommodate them this year? Shaking that thought off, she quickly siphoned Harry’s blood away. It was driving her barmy.

“Erm, thanks,” Harry said softly in her ear. “And…sorry. I know it was probably hard.”

She snorted. “I have more control than that.”

“And a cup of your favorite drink?” Harry asked, his eyes glued to her tea cup.

“Oh,” she squeaked, blushing brightly. “I’m not sure how but I’m thankful anyway.”

“I imagine,” Harry said, sighing when a chicken leg vanished from his hand, only to have the whole table erupt with puddings and cakes. He took a crumpet and several slices of various fruits, quieting down and eating heartily.

Dumbledore stood after a while, gaining everyone’s attention. “The very best of evenings to you!” He frowned as whispers erupted when his blackened hand came into view. “Nothing to worry about,” he said airily, effectively halting the rumors. “Now…to your new students, welcome to our old students, welcome back! Another full year of magical education awaits you…”

Harry leaned over and informed them that Dumbledore’s hand had been like that when he’d been taken from the Dursleys and again when he visited before their trip to Diagon Alley. He expressed concern that it wasn’t healed yet. Hermione felt guilt burn in her stomach, knowing the cause was an incurable curse, so she said something.

“There are some injuries you can’t cure…old curses… and there are poisons without antidotes…”

Dumbledore’s voice caught her attention again. “We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Slughorn is a former colleague of mine who as agreed to resume his old post of Potions master.”

Hermione silenced everyone’s shock at her table and waited for the walrus-like man to take his applause. She was still disappointed that her father wouldn’t be teaching potions this year but thrilled for what she knew the next announcement was.

“Professor Snape, meanwhile, will be taking over the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.”

This time, several indignant cries were heard. Apparently, only Slytherin was pleased with the new assignment. She wanted to clap with them but refrained. After all, it wouldn’t do to show the man any affection. That would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Instead, she gave him a restrained little smile as he lazily waved at the crowd, not bothering to get up.

The shocked whispers were halted as the doors to the Great Hall were suddenly forced open and clanged backwards, revealing a cloaked figure. The figure glided across the floor as if they weren’t really walking on it. Hermione bit back a cry of surprise when she smelled her mother. What on earth was she doing here? She watched as her mother flowed across the floor and stood in front of the Headmaster, handing him a goblet before bowing.

“Ah, thank you. I was hoping you would arrive soon. Students, we have another new member of our faculty. Would everyone please welcome Miss Melody Bach.”

Melody flung her cloak back, revealing a face that was much older than the one Hermione was used to. She still had her jade green eyes and strawberry blonde hair but her face was careworn, slightly wrinkled, and bore a few age spots. She was still beautiful though, if the murmurs of appreciation that swept the hall were anything to go by.

Melody bowed her head and walked up to the dais beside Severus, who valiantly stood and held out a chair beside him for her to take a seat in. He also gallantly slid her to the table once she was seated and handed her a cup. She grinned and took it, sparing a nod of appreciation when she tasted the nectar inside.

Dumbledore offered her a nod before turning his twinkling eyes back on the students. “Miss Bach will be the assistant mediwitch to Madam Pomfrey this year in completion of her Healer’s degree. Now…”

Hermione barely registered Dumbledore’s words of warning about Voldemort this year. Her mind and ears were firmly trained on her mother and father who were having a terse conversation.

“You are angry with me,” Melody said tightly.

“Of course I am,” Severus snapped. “You deliberately disobeyed me. Why?”

“Because they’ll need someone visible!”

“Why would you say that?”

Melody sighed. “Sev, the first time one of them snaps and hurts either themselves or someone else, who do you think will clean up the mess?”

Severus snorted and turned his attention to his cup of blood. “I suppose.”

“Besides, who do you think bribed the elves for this delicious tea?”

Hermione spluttered her blood a bit. So it was Melody who’d gotten the elves to slip them some blood. She was rather thankful for it and couldn’t help but grin when Severus offered a shy smile. It was only a split second, not enough for a human to pick up on, but it was a start. She only hoped he would reveal the depth of his feelings for his mate before it was too late. Once again, Dumbledore cleared his throat and gained her attention.

“But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!”

Hermione waited until the crowd cleared before she left the hall, thankful that Hagrid had stopped Harry and Ron. She quickly made sure her initial prefect duties were done before stealing away to her father’s rooms. She tapped her wand along the brick and slid inside once the crack in the wall formed. Draco was already waiting for her, a smile on his face. She flew into his arms.

“Gods that was awful,” he murmured in her ear. “I wanted so badly to pull you into my lap.”

“Me too,” she breathed, thankful that he was with her again. His scent calmed her.

“You know we have to be back in a few minutes for head count.”

“I know,” she said glumly but refused to let go.

Draco chuckled and kissed her on the forehead and then forced her to step back so he could continue his way down her cheeks to her neck, where he nibbled and allowed his fangs to scrape the skin. She shivered in his arms, unable to bite back the moan that escaped as he sucked along the pale column of her neck. This was heaven, or as close as she would ever get to it.

“This is going to have to be quick darling,” Draco said huskily as he parted her robes and ran his hands under her skirt, caressing her knicker clad mound.

“Don’t care,” she panted, relishing the new term of endearment he’d found for her.

The term love had shocked her at first, but she scarcely minded. They had grown quite close in their surprisingly short time together. However, darling seemed even more intimate for some reason. Perhaps he was as attached to her as she was rapidly becoming to him.

“Well then,” Draco hissed.

He backed her into the wall and smirked. Then he jerked his trousers open, lifted her up, pulled her knickers to the side, and sank to the hilt all in one smooth lightning quick movement. When he said quick, he meant it. They hadn’t tried this before, moving with their vampire speed but it seemed to make everything more hypersensitive. His hips pounded into her faster than the human eye could detect. It was all she could do to wrap her legs around him as delicious shocks consumed her pussy until she felt his fingertips graze her clit. She exploded spectacularly seconds before he cried out her name. Both of them slowed to human speed for a few pitiful thrusts before coming to a stop and reveling in the feel of one another. Clapping brought them out of their reverie.

“I was wondering when you would figure that out,” Melody said with some amusement.

Draco huffed. “That... was…”

“Amazing,” Severus drawled in a bored tone. “Yes, we are aware.”

Melody snorted and shook her head. “A little ray of sunshine, as usual. Your time is up. You need to get back to your houses and do your duties. Come back here after curfew.”

“Wait,” Hermione said, struggling out of Draco’s grip and righting herself with a wave of her wand. “Why did you come out?”

Melody grinned. “To help you, as you no doubt already heard me explain to Severus. It’s much easier to whisk in and save the day if people expect me to be around. Besides, I really will get my Healer’s license if I do this and take a test.”

“That’s great!” Hermione gushed. It really was. Melody had been locked away from the world for so long. It was about time she was able to enjoy it.

Melody chuckled. “I think so. Now off you go. See you soon.”

“Will we hunt?” Draco asked.

Severus shook his head. “No. We need to meet with Dumbledore tonight.”

“Why?” Draco asked with a scowl.

“I suppose we will find out when we get there. Now out!”

They dodged the hex Severus threw at them and skidded out the door, breathing out a laugh when they got out of range. They blew kisses at each other and high tailed it to their respective common rooms. There were head counts to be done, rounds to work out, and friends to be placated. This year was going to be something alright.

Hermione took a cleansing breath and stepped through the portrait of the Fat Lady into the Gryffindor common room. Students of all years were chatting loudly about their summers and the impending threat of Voldemort. Quite frankly, it made her head hurt. She wished her collar worked too because someone smelled absolutely delicious, like candy floss and muggle soda.

“Hey Mione!” Harry said brightly as she walked into sight. His face quickly fell. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, just…hard.”

“I’m sorry,” Harry said and hugged her tightly to him. “Anything you need?”

She sniffed. “Unless you’d like to be dinner, no. We aren’t going hunting tonight.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged. “First day, have to get everything in order.”

Harry nodded uncomfortably and rubbed the back of his neck. “Um, yeah. Hey, listen, you… you know if you get…well, thirsty… you can, I mean, well that is to say-“

“Harry,” she giggled. “Thanks but no thanks. I wouldn’t do that to you. Besides… you’d taste burnt remember?”

“Oh yeah,” Harry said with a deep flush. “But still…if it gets too bad.”

She smiled. “Thanks Harry, really. But now that mother is here, I should be fine.”

“Was it her that slipped you that…erm… tea?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Yep! She bribed the elves.”

“I thought she was undercover.”

“Me too but she came out to make sure I stayed out of trouble. I’m happy about it because she’ll finally get her healing degree but I hate to be the one to force her out like that.”

Harry nodded sympathetically and drew his friend closer. “Well, let’s hope that you can stay out of trouble this year. I seem to have rubbed off on you.”

She couldn’t help but giggle madly, drawing the attention of those left in the common room.

“So are you two an item now?” Parvarti asked curiously.

“Huh?” Hermione asked in confusion and then realized that she was completely curled into Harry’s side. “Oh, no. We’re just friends.”

“Uh huh,” Lavender said with a sneer.

“Oh honestly,” Hermione said and threw up her hands, storming out. “I’ve got to go check on the first years.”

She bit back a smart retort when Lavender said more snide things under her breath and then a cheer when Ginny defended her. She really was starting to wonder if maybe she shouldn’t keep Ginny in the dark. Having one more person in her corner wouldn’t hurt. Besides, she was much more open minded than Ron. She made a mental note to write to Fred and George to discuss it.

The night crawled by painfully slow, only to be punctuated when she had to do rounds with Ron. He seemed to find a reason to whine every thirty seconds and it was really starting to wear thin on her already frazzled nerves. She wished she could just bite him to shut him up.

“I mean honestly, who sneaks out the first night,” Ron whined for the twelfth time in a ten minute span.

“Can it Ronald!” She hissed. “It’s our duty. If you don’t like it, resign. Now be quiet so we can finish.”

Her head turned at the smell of bangers and mash. Was it possible that someone else smelled exactly like Sirius? She shushed Ron again and held her wand aloft, tiptoeing down the alcove she’d smelled him in. Sure enough, the outline of a large wolfhound was crouched into a corner.

“Sirius!” She hissed. “What in the bloody hell are you doing here?”

Harry’s godfather padded out of the alcove and transformed back into his human self with his hands raised. “Stand down. Just keeping an eye out.”

“Are you barking mad?” Hermione snapped. “What if you’re caught? You know that they’ll throw you back in Azkaban if they so much as get a whiff of you! What will that do to Harry?”

“Do you not think I’m being careful?”

“Well I bloody well caught you! What if I had been someone else?”

“Easy Hermione.”

Hermione gasped and spun around to see Remus, his wand loose in one hand, the other raised in placation. She lowered her wand despite every instinct in her body telling her to go for his throat. How did she not smell him coming? Was it the abundance of magic?

“Bloody hell,” Ron huffed out. “You scared us mate.”

“I’m sorry,” Remus said softly. “Hermione, are you alright?”

“No I’m not bloody alright!” She snapped, anger returning full force now that she was over her surprise. “What is he doing here?”

“Dumbledore thought that he should be here,” Remus said softly as he inched his way forward. He apparently realized how on edge she was and was moving as slowly as he could so as not to startle her. “Think of it as a proactive move to prevent what happened last time.”

She let her anger go completely with that statement. Of course. Dumbledore wanted Sirius with Harry just in case Voldemort tried something again. Sirius would be doing something useful, not so eager to rush into danger to prove himself again, and Harry would know immediately if something was wrong.

“So Harry knows?”

“Not yet,” Remus said softly. “But he’ll be informed at his first lesson.”

“And until then?”

“Sirius needs to avoid sneaking up on you. Isn’t that right Sirius?”

“I’ll say,” Sirius said warily. “How did you realize it was me? I thought that alcove was dark enough no one could have spotted me.”

“I…uh…I heard snuffling,” she said lamely and was relieved when Remus laughed, removing the tension.

“You have to admit Padfoot, you are quite nosy.”

“Alright, that’s enough out of you Mooney,” Sirius said somewhat abashed. “I’ll just get back to it then.”

They watched as Sirius took his dog form once more and clambered off down another hallway. Hermione shook her head and sheathed her wand. She wouldn’t need it anymore…she hoped. She turned to a still chuckling Remus and was about to dismiss him when a thought hit her.

“Weren’t you supposed to be stationed in the forbidden forest?”

“Ah yes, well, my watch has been delayed for a primary search. I start tomorrow.”

“Primary search?” Ron asked.

“Mmm,” Remus said evasively. “They wanted to do a full sweep, just to make sure everything is as it should be beforehand.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Ron asked suspiciously.

“Oh honestly,” Hermione cut in. “Think about what we’re dealing with now Ronald.”

“Well, wouldn’t he sense it? I mean, no offense mate, but don’t you have better senses than Aurors?”

“I do,” Remus said softly. “And that it is why it isn’t Aurors searching the forest.”

“Oh,” Hermione said in surprise. That must mean her parents were out there, zipping in and out and making sure a rogue vampire wasn’t on the loose. Remus gave her a slight nod and a small smile.

“But wait,” Ron said doggedly. “If they aren’t Aurors, then who are they?”

“Those with better senses than I,” Remus said quietly.

“But…but there isn’t anyone alive with better senses than a werewolf.”

Remus chuckled. “Exactly.”

Ron paled significantly. “Vampires.”

Remus nodded. “We’ve managed to have a couple join the ranks of the Order. They have agreed to search the forest initially.”

“But…but aren’t they dangerous?”

Remus shrugged. “Only if you anger them.”

“I’ll be sure not to do that,” Ron said weakly and swallowed hard.

Remus merely chuckled. “No worries Ron. I’m sure Hermione will be more than happy to protect you.”

Hermione couldn’t help it. She giggled merrily. At least she knew why they weren’t hunting tonight. But why couldn’t they go afterwards? She really was hungry. Before she could think on it further, Remus thrust a black vial in her hands.

“Drink. Melody said you’d need it soon.”

“Thanks,” she breathed and opened the stopper, holding back a moan when she smelled beef wellington. Melody had sent her another vial of blood. She didn’t hesitate to down it, unable to savor it in front of Ron.

“Better?”

“Much. Is there um-“ She didn’t want to ask right out if Draco had received one as well.

“Yes, one more, already delivered,” Remus answered her unspoken question.

“What was that?” Ron asked in bewilderment. “And who is Melody?”

“Weren’t you paying attention?” Hermione snapped. “Melody is the new assistant mediwitch…and she is the one who initially healed me.”

“Really? But I thought that Snape-“

“Do you honestly think Professor Snape didn’t have help?”

Ron frowned. “I didn’t really think about it, but I guess that makes sense. Is she good?”

Hermione grinned. “The best. Thanks Remus.”

“Anytime. Take care,” the werewolf said softly and walked away, fading into the shadows for the normal human eye. She could see him step onto the stairs and go down to the next level.

“Mione,” Ron asked as they neared the end of their rounds. “What was in that vial?”

“Just a nourishing potion,” she said with a lightness she was sure he noticed was fake. “I just need a pick me up every now and then.”

“Are…are you okay? Really?”

“I’m fine Ron,” she said as reassuringly as she could. “I mean, I’m not the same as I used to be, but I’m fine.”

“What really happened?”

Her jaw tightened as memories of her turning flashed through her mind. They weren’t as startling as the first time she had a flashback but they were still every bit as vivid, her attacker’s blonde hair and indigo eyes burned into her brain forever.

“I was attacked Ron,” she said tersely. “Leave it at that.”

“So you’ll tell Harry all about it but not me?” Ron asked. She could tell by his tone that he was pretty hurt. It made her sad but she was sure he couldn’t handle the truth, not right now at least.

“Look Ron, it has nothing to do with you. Harry’s just…well, he didn’t fly off the handle and threaten death and retribution. He also didn’t berate me for my stupidity. I’ve heard enough of that this summer to last me a lifetime. He sat calmly and listened and sympathized and that was the end.”

“I can do that,” Ron said indignantly.

“Oh really?” Hermione said, her ire starting to rise.

“Try me,” Ron said darkly.

“Fine,” she spat. “I’m not innocent any longer.”

“What do you…WHAT?” Ron screeched. He started to say more but she slammed her hand over his mouth before he could say anything else.

“There, you see? I tell you a basic sentence and you blow up. No Ron, I’ll not talk about it with you anymore until you can have a civilized conversation like an adult!”

With that she stormed into the Gryffindor common room and up to her room. She sat down on her bed with a huff, berating herself for losing her temper. She hadn’t meant it exactly as it sounded, although it was true. She wasn’t innocent any longer. However, she had meant that her soul was tarnished, no longer pure. It had been touched by a blood deep evil and she had to fight to keep it. That had stripped any innocence she ever saw in herself away. Of course, Draco had taken away the other but she scarcely cared about that. She was only technically a virgin anyway. Still, Ron’s reaction had sealed it in her mind. There was no way she was telling him anything until she absolutely had to.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“So glad you could join us,” Severus drawled when she managed to plop down on his sofa around midnight.

“Shut it,” she snapped. “I’ve had one hell of a fucking first day and I’ve no patience for your prickly attitude.”

“You insolent little-“

“Bitch. I know,” she seethed. “If we’re just going to sit here and trade insults all night, I’d assume go back to my dorm. At least there I can get in a bit of reading before start of term.”

“What the fuck crawled in your knickers?” Melody asked. She was perched on the ledge of Severus’s window admiring one of the grindylows in the Black lake.

“Let’s see,” she said, ticking things off her mental list. “I had to calm a homesick first year that was nearly hysterical because she wouldn’t see her precious new pup until Christmas. I threatened six others with forest duty with Hagrid if they didn’t shut up and go to bed. I did rounds with Ron who whined the entire time. I ran into Sirius, who no one told me was going to be there. Remus had to stop me from hexing him. Thank you, by the way, for sending some blood with him. What else, oh, Ron hounded me for information on my attack and I opened my big fucking mouth and told him he couldn’t handle it. He acted like a kicked puppy so I told him I lost my innocence and he exploded, exactly as I predicted he would. Then I listened as he badgered and berated Harry for the rest of the story until Harry hexed his mouth closed. Oh, and the whole of Gryffindor is convinced I’m dating the Chosen One. Did I miss anything?”

“That’s quite the night,” Draco said dryly as he walked in.

“You bet your fucking arse it was,” she snapped. She really didn’t want to be this mean and nasty but her day had been horrid, her nose was still burning, and she was hungry to top it off.

“Come here,” Draco said softly and gathered her into his arms.

She lost it then, having the first good cry she’d had since the beginning of summer. It felt cathartic but at the same time she berated herself for being weak and losing what precious blood she had left. She managed to dry her tears quickly but the damage had been done. Draco’s shirt was soaked and she felt horrid.

“Better?” her mate asked softly.

“No,” she blubbered. “I’m not supposed to cry. I can’t even follow one bloody rule.”

“You had a hard day sweetie,” Melody said softly and stroked her hair as she laid her head on her mate’s chest. “It’s okay to break down once in a while.”

“I can’t help it. Just…everything at once.”

Severus sighed and took her out of Draco’s arms, cuddling her protectively under his chin. “Even I admit that this day has been too much for you. The smells and magic alone are taxing. Dealing with your idiot friends is a burden I have no wish to share with you. I am sorry I snarked at you.”

Hermione gave a halfhearted laugh. “Oh father, you’re probably the most normal interaction I’ve had all day…well, aside from Draco.”

Severus laughed and returned Draco’s smirk. “Now that we have that out of your system, are you ready to meet with Dumbledore?”

“I suppose,” she sighed.

The distance to the Headmaster’s office was closed in seconds since they could utilize their powers after curfew. They walked in to see the Headmaster sitting at his desk staring pensively at a shelf in his office bearing rows of vials filled with a hazy white substance.

“Come in,” he beckoned with his burned hand. “Please ward the door when you’re settled.”

“You sent for us, Headmaster?” Severus asked pensively after he sealed the room.

Dumbledore nodded. “How did the search of the forest go?”

“Not a thing to be found,” Melody said, her eyebrows furrowed in thought. “Strange really. It’s as though the creatures are heading for the hills as well.”

Dumbledore nodded again. “I suspect they sense things to come. How goes the first day?”

“Hermione had it a bit rough,” Draco said, taking a seat and pulling her down in his lap. “Mine was alright, although I didn’t want to have a confrontation with Potter this early in the year. I do apologize about that Headmaster.”

“That’s quite alright,” Dumbledore said with a chuckle. “I’m sure Harry will rethink his stealth skills. Any other problems?”

“Why didn’t you tell me Sirius would be here?” Hermione asked softly.

“Ah, he was supposed to be discrete.”

She snorted. “The man wouldn’t know discrete if it bit him on the arse.”

“He was on the run for two years without detection, if I recall correctly,” Dumbledore said with that annoying twinkle in his eye.

“Then he’s lost his touch,” she said flatly.

“Quite,” Dumbledore allowed. “Perhaps he will rethink his approach. Now then, we have to get to business. I’m afraid we only have a year in which I will be available to help you. Harry’s lessons will contain the information he needs to fulfill his destiny, but it is you four I am counting on to make his journey an easier one.”

“How so?” Hermione asked, her interest immediately peaked.

“What do you know of horcruxes?”

AN: And now we get into the thick of things. I find myself apologizing a lot here lately. I swear, I live at my job. Anyway, I'll try to do better. As always, thanks to everyone for you amazing reviews. I love them all and I read them again yesterday when I was feeling quite low. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time...love you guys.

(The next chapter of Fooling Fate will be out soon, I promise. Get those guesses in if you've got them. That character isn't going to name itself!)
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Beyond the Pale