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
- 18
- 19
- 20
“You ran from me,” Draco purred. He cancelled their glamours and began pacing a circle around Hermione’s bound form. “Left me with my cock harder than stone. Do you have any idea how much I ached after that? I couldn’t even bring myself to wank because I was too worried about you.”

“I’m sorry!” Hermione gasped.

Draco smirked sexily. “Oh, you will be.”

Hermione couldn’t stop her jaw from dropping open. “What are you going to do to me?”

“Relax,” he breathed, gently caressing her face with the back of his fingers. “You’ll probably enjoy it.”

“Probably?” She squeaked.

Draco merely chuckled and waved his hand, all of her clothes disappearing with a flourish. Instead of squealing in shock or crying out in anger as her former human self would, she felt a gush of wetness roll out of her entrance. In that moment, she knew she had fully embraced her vampire. The four other pairs of lust-filled eyes glued to her naked and chained body only aroused her further. It was the fifth pair, the ones that reminded her of storm clouds that made her break out in goose bumps. He looked like he would eat her alive. Oh, how she wanted that.

“See,” Draco whispered. “You’re already soaked.”

She couldn’t hold back the moan that fell from her lips as she felt the first feather light caress of his fingertips over her collar bone. His touch somehow tickled and burned at the same time. She wanted to be free so she could run her hands all over his alabaster body. The manacles wouldn’t budge though, no matter how hard she struggled. He’d managed to charm them to be unbreakable. She slumped, a whimper of longing in her throat.

“Now you see how I felt,” Draco whispered. “You were excited earlier when I mentioned making your arse red. I smelled it. Your eyes were practically black with lust. How do you feel about it Hermione?”

“I-no,” Hermione whimpered. Being spanked by her father had turned her on, but it hadn’t been a particularly brutal beating. She didn’t want excessive pain, just…enough.

“Let’s see if we can change your mind, shall we?”

Draco disappeared from the room at vampire speed and reappeared in seconds with a white braided whip. He uncoiled it, letting her have a good look at it before cracking it in the air. It made a sharp snapping noise that made her cringe. She was about to protest when he raised it in striking position but was brought short when he allowed the end to trail over her sensitive skin. It felt…wonderful and soft, unlike the harsh black one she’d seen Severus use on Melody.

“Do you like it pet? It’s made out of the finest silk London had to offer.”

She bit back a moan as he wrapped it around her arm several times, not tight, just enough to feel the edges of the braids. It was decadence and danger all rolled into one and it made her core clench in anticipation. What would it feel like? She just hoped it wouldn’t draw blood. It left goose bumps in its wake as Draco let the whip slide over her skin, winding it around limbs and pulling it slowly.

“Now then, your punishment. You tried to be the dominant.”

Crack!

She couldn’t stop her cry of surprise as the whip hit her squarely on her left breast. It had been a shock for him to hit her there. However, the feel of the whip was unexpected. Instead of the searing pain she expected, it was more of a prickling sting and better still, there was only a slight pink mark it its wake.

Crack!

The second blow hit her right breast, right over the nipple. The exquisite sting made her gasp as it traveled straight to her core. This was unlike anything she’d ever experienced or expected. If this was going to be her punishment, she would gladly try to take over more often.

Crack!

The next blow hit her navel, making her stomach contract. It was another unexpected place but surprisingly, it turned into an erotic zone. The sensations seemed to radiate and sink in. She wasn’t sure if she liked Draco leaving so much time in between blows. Severus had kept up a steady rhythm, her bum eventually going almost numb and lessening the sensations. This technique had her tensing each time Draco moved.

Crack!

The whip had wrapped around her upper right thigh, snapping just inches from her dripping pussy. The feeling of it being so close and yet so far away made her groan. Trying desperately to concentrate on anything besides the horrible aching in her core, she peeled her eyes away from the whip and looked around the room.

Crack!

Her left inner thigh stung, the blow once again just inches below the apex of her thighs. Draco hadn’t wanted her to look around. He wanted her concentration on him fully. It was a command she couldn’t obey, the sensations too much. Her eyes caught sight of Alex and Nancy. He had her bent over the arm of the tattered chair and was taking her from behind. Both wore looks of ecstasy as he pounded into her repeatedly. The loud slapping and Nancy’s euphoric screams barely registered against the blood pounding in Hermione’s ears.

Crack!

She crumpled against the manacles holding her arms. Her legs gave out momentarily, the blow hitting just off center of her pussy lips. Her tortured moan echoed in her ears. She wanted release…NOW. This was starting to be horrible and she once again stood and tried to focus her thoughts elsewhere. Severus jerking Melody over his hard length as both sat facing them on the sofa did not help. She could see his swollen cock plunging into Melody’s glistening folds, stretching her with every hard thrust, jerking as he hit bottom. Melody’s eyes were half lidded and focused on Hermione’s, mouth open in pleasure. Severus wore a look of intense concentration as he too met Hermione’s eyes.

CRACK!

That one hurt badly. It hit right under her breasts, re-centering her focus on her mate. His eyes held dark promise should she try to look away again. How could she when he looked ready to devour her? Noticing her giving her complete attention had excited him. His silvery orbs started glowing indigo, a sign of his strong emotions. Perhaps he needed this as badly as she did.

Crack!

She cried out as her hip was lit aflame. Somehow he had managed to hit right on the bone. With no flesh to cushion the blow, it hurt a bit more than expected. She flinched, noticing that a burn settled in after the sting that wasn’t entirely unpleasant. She shifted, trying to gain contact to her clit and relieve the now intense ache.

CRACK!

The blow to her other hip told her that it would be a very bad idea to continue on with her attempt to relieve herself. This one had been as hard as the one under her breasts and not at all pleasant. She could tell that this was a warning blow and not a teasing one.

CRACK!

Her legs buckled again. That hit had been just a hair off center from her clit. It sent sparks of pleasure to her core but no relief. It only made her more frustrated and she realized that her thighs were now coated with her juices. She had no idea that this would be such a turn on for her. Draco pocketed the whip and eyed her appreciatively before throwing off his robe and unbuttoning his shirt. Her hopes for reprieve were dashed when he threw off the shirt and grabbed the whip again.

“Did you enjoy that pet?” he purred. “You’re practically flooded you know.”

“Fuck me! Please,” Hermione couldn’t stop herself from whimpering.

“You see,” Draco drawled as he drew one pale finger down her cheek and under her chin to tilt her head up. “It’s much more fun if I’m the dominant. Should you wish to experience a switch, you will ask my permission first. Is that understood?”

The steely tone in his voice let her know he was quite serious. “Yes sir,” she whispered.

“You’ll find I can be quite accommodating,” Draco said soothingly, kissing her chastely on the lips before peppering her cheeks and temple with kisses.

Hermione was in heaven when she felt Draco’s warm fingers questing over her flesh. Every nerve ending in her body was on fire. Warm lips need only touch hers for her to invite him in. He was consuming her, building her up until she was ready to burst. Before she could push further, he took a step back, a mock look of disappointment halting her.

“Ah, ah, ah pet. I am in charge. Remember that.”

She practically growled in frustration. Draco gave her outer thigh a warning snap with the handle of the whip. It was a sharp reminder that he intended to be the one in control this time. It was her punishment after all. It took everything she had to bow her head and breathe normally.

“That’s it,” Draco whispered, reaching up and brushing his fingers across one pebbled nipple. “Give in pet. Don’t fight it.”

Hermione threw her head back in bliss as his ministrations continued, going from gentle touches to more forceful pulls and plucks. His other hand came up to join, engaging her other neglected breast. He was playing her like an instrument, rolling her nipples between his aristocratic fingers before tugging sharply on them. Each pull sent little shocks straight to her clit, her cunt clinching and aching to be filled. It was exquisite torture and she was torn between never wanting him to stop and begging him to finish her and put her out of her misery.

“Please,” she finally pleaded, unable to contain her need.

“I think not,” Draco said, his voice suddenly steely. He stepped back, removing his hands and staring at her for a few minutes. “You still ran from me. Not only did you run, you went straight to the forbidden forest. Did you have a death wish?”

Hermione hung her head in shame. No, she really didn’t have a death wish. It just seemed like the only logical place to go at the time. It was far enough away without leaving the school. It had been instinct…but why?

“Answer me!” Draco snapped impatiently.

“I-no,” she said in a small voice. “I don’t have a death wish. It was…instinct.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. It seemed…safe. It felt like...like…fuck, I don’t know. Please. I don’t know. Every fiber in my body told me I’d find comfort there.”

“Comfort?” Draco asked uneasily.

“Like…like when f-father holds me.”

“Fuck!” Melody suddenly shouted, drawing them both away from their conversation. When she realized this, she blushed and held out a hand to stay Severus’s onslaught of her body. “Sorry. I just realized why you ran there.”

“Why?” Hermione whispered.

“Because that is where we turned you,” Severus said, his voice hoarse with lust and the strain of holding back.

“Well yes, but I was also attacked there,” Hermione said softly, her arousal starting to ebb away and give her mind clarity.

“Vampires,” Alex said thickly, holding back from his own mate, “always return to their turning place the first time they run. It doesn’t matter if it was a good or bad memory, only that instinct dictates that the safest place away from the mate is the sire or dam. Since it is the first time, instinct reverts to the place of turning, and not the sire themselves.”

“A flaw, I gather,” Draco drawled, a small scowl on his face.

“Definitely,” Alex said, thrusting into his mate once more, unable to hold back. “Seeing as how Melody tried to break into Hogwarts over the summer her first time.”

“You had to bring that up,” Melody said sourly. “Anyway, next time she’ll run straight to Severus.”

“There better not be a next time,” Draco growled and turned to Hermione.

Hermione’s bottom lip trembled at the thought. “Y-you can’t guarantee that.”

Draco’s face softened momentarily. “I can promise you I’ll do my best, love.”

He bent down and placed the softest, sweetest, most heartfelt kiss that Hermione had ever felt on her lips. It was full of longing and promise and dare she say… affection? It stroked the fire in her belly once more, her arousal coming back full force to the point that her pussy contracted so hard she cried out.

“Not yet,” Draco whispered against her lip. He pulled back and set the whip down. “Regardless of instinct, you still ran. You put yourself in danger and you must be punished. I’m afraid I can’t be quite as easy as I have been. I don’t want you to have incentive to do it again.”

Hermione couldn’t contain the whimper that escaped her. It was a mix of lust, want, and fear. Draco had never struck her before and now that he’d set the surprisingly gentle whip down, she couldn’t help but be anxious. He placed a hand on her stomach, rubbing soothing circles on it. When he walked around behind her, he trailed his fingers along, drawing symbols as he went.

“We need to change positions a bit,” Draco said huskily.

Hermione squeaked with the manacles on the ceiling moved forward. The ones on the floor didn’t budge though, forcing her to lean forward on her tiptoes. Draco brought a hand around her waist to steady her and she relaxed momentarily. The chains on her hands lengthened and she was once again allowed to stand flat footed but had to bend at the waist.

“Perfect,” Draco whispered. “Stay just like that pet.”

Her legs trembled in fear when a warm hand kneaded the fleshy globes of her bum. She’d never had him fondle her there before and it was an interesting sensation. It made her pussy lips rub against each other as he massaged them, her juices spreading to coat her from clit to puckering hole. She couldn’t help but wonder if that was his intention. Did he seriously want to take her there, now?

“Relax,” Draco whispered when he felt her tense. “I will claim this for my own.” He grazed one finger over her tight hole but did not press. “At a later time. Right now I have to give you a deterrent so as not to run off again.”

SMACK!

The sound of her mate’s palm against her right arse cheek registered before the blooming pain did. It seemed to delay her reaction as heat seared through her bum but when it registered, she couldn’t hold back her squeak. Her head shot up in alarm, noticing the smirks her grandfather and father had on their faces as they fucked their mates to oblivion. She didn’t have time to scowl at them though.

SMACK!

The second blow was thankfully to her left cheek, and didn’t exacerbate the pain. It didn’t make it hurt less though. In fact, she thought her entire backside might have been on fire at that moment. The fact that her mate said nothing was disconcerting as well. Severus had gone over each of her transgressions with every swat. It helped her to know that he was keeping tally. Was Draco? He hadn’t even asked her to count them…or told her how many she would have to endure.

SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!

The successive blows were much worse than the ones he had paused on. Whether that was because he was overlapping his blows or because she didn’t get time to process them was beyond her. All she knew was that he had lit her arse on fire and it wasn’t pleasant at all.

SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!

She cried out in pain as he delivered four more blows, each one radiating from the center. If she could concentrate, she might have been amused that he was spanking her in a circular pattern. However, all she felt now was sincere regret that she’d run away. If this was the result of a light punishment, she didn’t want to know what a harsh one would be.

“Ah, that’s what I wanted,” Draco whispered, now rubbing his hands over her bum. “Your arse is the most fetching shade of pink and you don’t want to repeat your earlier actions. I’m so pleased.”

His pleasure at her acceptance radiated to her core and made her feel warm and fuzzy all over. Most of the time, she was annoyed by her responses to Draco’s dominance. It was a bloody nuisance half the time, having to feel every ounce of his annoyance, pain, and anger. Joy though, feeling his joy was enough to make her relish the bond.

“Do you have any idea how utterly ravishing you look right now?” Draco asked in a strained voice. “I’ve dreamed of having you tied up and at my mercy for years. It was the star scenario in most of my erotic fantasies, your submission. Merlin, you’re fucking perfect.”

Hermione gasped as the truth of his passion induced words rang out. He used to stroke himself to thoughts of her? It had to be one of the greatest involuntary compliments he could have ever given her. If he had confessed those thoughts when they were both human, she might have been disgusted. He would have been relegated to nothing but a sick lecher. As a vampire though, they made her feel sexy and powerful. She did have the power to make him lose control.

Smack!

The quick blow shocked her as she was totally unprepared for it. However, instead of the hard blows he had dealt before, this one was gentle. It still stung, but it also sent a zing of arousal straight to her core. After it, he kneaded her flesh, working in the handprint and causing thrills of pleasure to pulsate through her body. She found herself wanting more.

Smack! Knead.

“So fucking beautiful.”

Smack! Knead.

“Look at that arse.”

Smack! Knead.

“So ready for me.”

Smack! Knead.

“Soaked.”

Smack! Knead.

“Merlin what you’re doing to me.”

Smack! Knead.

“You like this.”

Smack! Knead.

“I can feel your pleasure.”

Smack! Knead.

“It makes me hard.”

Smack! Knead.

Draco had sensed her want and was giving her exactly what she needed, to the detriment of almost breaking her. Each blow sent a sharp jolt to her core, the massaging hand afterwards driving her arousal up to nearly unbearable. She was faintly reminded of when they claimed each other, the worry that it wouldn’t end and the pleasure might kill her.

“Please!” Hermione cried out in a broken plea, begging him to stop, take her, something. “Please, please, please.”

“What is it you desire, pet?”

“You.”

“Me?” Draco asked, amusement in his voice. “You have me. I’m right here.”

“No,” Hermione moaned, not caring in the least that she sounded like a desperate wanton. “More.”

“You want more spanking,” Draco said softly and smacked her again twice in succession.

“No!” Hermione gasped.

“Tell me pet. Tell me and it’s yours, anything you want.”

Draco’s voice had dropped down a register, making her moan pitifully. She opened her mouth to respond and he picked that moment to scrape his fangs over the sensitive part of her lower back, right above her throbbing arse. It made her cry out in pleasure and agony. Tortured pink tears slipped down her face, the thought that he would keep her in this state overwhelming.

“Shhh,” Draco said in alarm, his face appearing in her vision as he licked her tears from her face. “Breathe love. Just tell me what you want.”

“I w-want you…inside m-me,” Hermione croaked out, her whole body aflame. “Please, I want your cock in me so badly.”

“Your wish is my command,” Draco said with a regal bow.

In an instant, he had shed his trousers. She only had a second to admire his proud length standing straight out before he was behind her again, pressing into her. The feeling of his large cock sliding through her drenched folds made her scream in ecstasy. This was what she wanted, the full feeling of completion that only he could give her.

The manacles rattled as he thrust into her harshly, bottoming out and checking her with a jerk before pulling back to do it again. He wasn’t normally quite this rough but it relaxed her in a way, to know that he wouldn’t treat her like glass. Each harsh stroke had her hissing and begging for more, the pleasure increasing even further as he both soothed and increased her ache.

Draco groaned and slammed into her rather brutally. “Come for me pet.”

The words were all she needed to come apart, the bubble that was steadily increasing popping and consuming her, his name falling from her lips like a prayer. Her knees gave way as he fucked her through it, not slowing for a moment. This would not be an easy possession. He intended to let her know that she was his and she would never want for another.

“Again!” He commanded.

Hermione could only cry out weakly as her body responded, going over the edge again. She was now hanging limp against the manacles, hanging by them and Draco’s arm around her waist. His strokes stilled as he lowered them both do the floor. When her hands found purchase on the faded rug, the chains disappeared. She placed her cheek on her hands as her mate stroked her again.

She lost all sense of time, her cries mingling in the air with those of her family. Dimly, she realized that she had all but forgotten they were there. The sounds of their shagging sent a signal to her tired body and she felt herself building again, muscles tight as a bowstring. Draco’ s arm slithered down and rubbed circles around her sorely neglected clit.

“Again.”

Her orgasm took her over, taking her breath from her and causing her to almost arch out of his hands. It lasted seemingly forever. Draco’s thrusts became erratic before he came with a choked cry, clutching her tight to his body and giving a few more weak plunges before collapsing on top of her.

Time slid by, the weak cries of her mother and grandmother dying out as their lovemaking finally ended. The room was blissfully quiet for a long while before Draco rolled off to the side and brushed strands of her disheveled hair out of her face.

“Are you alright?”

Hermione gifted him with a tired smile. “Never better.”

Draco’s smiling face could have lit up the sun. “Good.” He kissed her temple and sat up, casting the charms to clean them up. “Please don’t run again.”

“I don’t plan on it,” she sighed and shuffled up to crawl into his lap. “But Draco, we’re going to have our problems.”

“I know,” he said, bringing her head to lie on his chest. He stroked through her hair in contemplation. “But the thought of losing you is terrifying. You know that, right?”

Hermione nodded. “It’s the same for me…but I couldn’t help it.”

“We’ll just have to try harder,” Draco said with conviction.

“Ouch!” Alex yelped suddenly, causing everyone in the room to turn and stare.

“Sorry!” Nancy whimpered, cowering as far in the corner of the chair as she could get.

“I know you didn’t mean it,” Alex said, rubbing the red welt on his chest.

“What’s that?” Melody asked curiously.

“Nancy has developed a rather shocking personality,” Alex said dryly. “She can’t meditate for more than an hour or so without electrocuting me.”

“Oh, it’s just static,” Nancy chided. “I’m not sure why it happens though.”

“Static you say?” Severus asked, gently removing Melody from his lap and stalking across the room completely starkers.

“Yes static,” Alex insisted as the dour man pulled his hand away from his chest. “It’ll go away in a few moments.”

“That doesn’t look like normal static shock to me,” Severus drawled. “Rather a backlash of magic.”

Nancy snorted. “That’s impossible. I’m a squib.”

Severus nodded. “It is quite curious. Does it happen often?”

“Not really,” Nancy said with a furrowed brow. “Mostly when I meditate after really amazing sex.”

Melody chuckled. “Yes well, dad must not be doing his job correctly.”

“Oh please,” Alex drawled. “My prowess is not the problem here.”

Melody grinned at her dad. “Well, it certainly causes a jolt.”

“I’ll say,” Alex grimaced and then pointed at his spotless chest. “But it’s fleeting.”

“Still,” Severus said, his face clouded with doubt. “If it worsens, come to Hogwarts immediately.”

“You think something’s wrong?” Nancy asked in a small voice.

“Not so much wrong,” Severus said scowling, “but perhaps something that needs to be investigated further if it increases.”

“Why don’t you go take a shower and relax a bit,” Alex said gently after he noticed Nancy paling. “I’ll say goodbye to the children and join you shortly.”

“You just want to talk about me,” Nancy said sourly.

Alex pursed his lips in annoyance. “I want you clean and not worrying about something that is benign.”

“Yes sir,” Nancy sighed and kissed everyone on the cheek before trudging upstairs.

Melody cast a strong silencing spell the moment she was out of eyesight. “Spill dad.”

Alex sighed rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Alright, she’s been experiencing small bursts of involuntary magic just like you used to do when you were little. It’s always when she’s hyper relaxed and not thinking about it. She doesn’t always shock me. Sometimes it just crackles around her fingertips. She never notices. In fact, it stops the moment it is called to her attention.”

“Subconscious suppression then,” Severus said. “I happen to know that Nancy was heavily tested and found to be a true squib at age eleven. There was absolutely no reaction when holding a wand or to any magic detecting spells.”

“So the change triggered her core then,” Melody took over.

“Wait, what?” Hermione interrupted. “Triggered?”

Melody nodded. “All children born to magical parents have magical cores, whether they can perform magic or not. Most squibs start and end life entirely non-magical. A small percentage have magic at birth and lose it due to extreme illness or perhaps a family curse.”

“What kind of curse can take away magic?” Hermione gasped.

“One like the Malfoys have,” Draco said softly. “The first born must be a male, otherwise the magic is stripped. Any squibs are ordered cast from the family.”

“That’s horrible!” Hermione said.

Draco nodded. “It certainly isn’t something I’m proud of. In fact, it is quite common to find out the sex at conception and terminate the undesired gender. In a way, it’s not as cruel.”

“How do you justify that?” Hermione snapped.

“Which would be more merciful Hermione,” Draco asked quietly. “Either terminate the child before it even develops or subject it to a life of pain and humiliation at the hands of those who look down upon it.”

“You could give it up for adoption to muggles,” Hermione insisted.

“Because that worked so well with the Dark Lord,” Melody said bitterly. “Hermione, Riddle was the result of a union between a man under a spell and a manipulative witch. He ended up being raised in an orphanage after his mother died in childbirth. His magical outbursts made him an outcast…the fact that he was born without compassion aside. Squibs like those made from family curses still have small magical outbursts for a while. They still attract magic like owls and familiars. They can still see the magical world just fine. It makes them outcasts as well, and thus the pain and humiliation. I can see why some families opt to terminate. It isn’t something they’re proud of.”

“So is that what happened to Nancy?” Hermione asked, realizing that she was fighting a losing battle. She really could see where they would rationalize it as a kindness.

Severus nodded. “The Notts were unaware of the curse, due to the fact that there hadn’t been a female born in over five generations.”

“And now?” Hermione asked.

“Now,” Melody said, “she is a vampire, a mated one. Remember how your magic increased?”

“Yes, but we’re both magical,” Hermione said. “Alex isn’t.”

“Vampires are considered magical creatures,” Melody hedged. “And he was a daywalker first, another magical creature. Not to toot my own horn, but that’s why I’m so powerful.”

“But I’m powerful too,” Hermione said with a hiss.

Melody grinned. “You are. It’s a rare anomaly, in all actuality. Muggleborns fall into two categories, extremely gifted and powerful or almost squib-like. It’s very similar along pureblood lines as well. I’ve had Albus do some research on my mother. She was an almost squib-like pureblood. Statistically, I should have been born a squib. Albus believes that it was dad who made me so powerful.”

“So why can’t he perform magic then,” Hermione asked, still utterly confused.

“Still here, you know,” Alex piped up, smirking when Hermione blushed. “And I can perform magic.”

“So you are a wizard!” Hermione gasped.

Alex chuckled. “Not hardly. I’m afraid I can’t use a wand. I can only access it when I’m extremely emotional. It’s entirely involuntary and not at all controllable. I’ve accidentally smashed more glass in my time than a glazier.”

“Nancy could be the same way,” Severus said. “However, if it jumpstarts her core, you might have a full-fledged witch on your hands.”

“Not the first time,” Alex said as he smiled adoringly at his daughter. “I had such success with the first one.”

Melody lowered her eyes bashfully. “Aww daddy, you’re making me blush.”

“Well, it’s true,” Alex whispered. “Now, I must go before Nancy storms back down here. Take care. I’ll owl if anything develops further. It would do no good to force it, after all.”

“No, absolutely not,” Melody agreed. “But please use the burn salve in the bathroom if it gets any worse than a small spark.”

“Yes dear,” Alex said with a small smile. “Now, off with you.”

“Mind if we dress first? I’m not sure Filch’s heart could take seeing four naked vampires traipsing around the school.”

“Oh!” Alex started. “I’d completely forgotten. Bye in a moment then.” He gave everyone a goodbye kiss and blurred upstairs. Nancy’s cry of surprise made everyone chuckle.

“Can he really not control it?” Draco asked.

“Nope,” Melody said. “I’ve taken him to every wandmaker in America and Europe. Nothing has responded. I can’t even piss him off to the point where he loses it. It’s one hundred percent accidental.”

“Maybe not anymore,” Severus said with a frown. “I wonder.”

“About?” Draco asked as he summoned their clothing.

Severus waited until everyone was dressed before he answered. “It is quite rare, but once every couple of centuries, a wizard or witch will be born without the ability to wield a wand. Their magic is entirely instinctual. They can be taught to control it without a wand, but it takes patience and dedication…and time. And, of course, they must be caught in a moment when magic flares within them to begin training. They have to recognize the feeling before they can hone in on it.”

“And Alex has always had it happen when he least expected it,” Draco answered.

Severus nodded. “All we can do is wait to see if it develops further…and hope my house will withstand the backlash should it get out of control.”

Everyone chuckled at the dry joke before following him outside. No one said a word when Severus set several extra wards over the house. They all walked to the deserted riverbank they originally apparated from before shooting him a questioning look.

“I had thought we would find a snack before returning,” Severus muttered. “Merlin knows we’ll need it.”

He and Melody grabbed their children’s hands and disappeared with a pop, landing in front of a seedy little coffee house. It smelled like lattes and cloves. The inside was packed with people drinking coffee, drawing, writing poetry, and others observing a small band. They each picked out a member of the audience to lure into the bathroom while mesmerized. It only took a few moments and they were soon portkeying to Hogwarts.

“Now your training begins,” Severus said gruffly before hurrying inside. Melody shook her head, suppressing a smile and running after him.

“Great,” Draco sighed and dragged Hermione alongside him. “Hope you don’t have a lot of homework.”

“Oh Merlin!” Hermione gasped. “I have loads! Actually, you should very well know since you are in most of my classes.”

Draco smirked. “You never cease to amaze me Hermione. You have an eternity to cram knowledge in that formidable mind of yours and you are already fretting about not being three months ahead on the first day back.”

Hermione huffed in aggravation. “I just like to make sure everything is done. I hate slacking off.”

“You hate being beat,” Draco said with a grin. “And you have this overwhelming urge to prove yourself, which I’ve never understood.”

“Yes, well,” Hermione murmured. “You aren’t a mudblood, are you?”

Draco skidded to a halt right outside the main doors into the castle. He spun her around to look directly in his eyes. “You are never to use that word again, do you understand me? You are not that derogatory name! I never want to hear that kind of foul language fall from your lips again. Promise me!” He shook her a little, as if trying to force it into her.

“I promise!” Hermione said, utterly shocked at his outburst.

“I’m sorry,” Draco breathed after a moment and loosened his grip. “I just, I can’t even begin to apologize for calling you that for all these years. I’m ashamed that I used to think that way. To hear you say it makes me sick.”

“Ok,” Hermione said, understanding the pain it caused him. “I’ll try to keep my swearing to a minimum.”

Draco’s lips quirked slightly. “Well, some words I happen to love hearing fall from your lips. Like fuck. That’s a terrific word…and cock.”

“Stop!” Hermione snapped, lightly smacking him in the shoulder. He was well on his way to turning her on again and they needed to focus.

“Easy,” Draco taunted and drew the hood of his cloak up. “I was just saying that only certain words are banned.”

“You’re incorrigible,” Hermione growled and pulled her own hood up as well.

“I try,” Draco said dryly and opened the door.

“There, see!” Melody said suddenly as they walked inside.

Both students froze, aware that they were now the center of attention. All of the Heads of House, Dumbledore, Remus, Sirius, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were all staring at them.

“Miss Granger, is that you?” McGonagall’s strong brogue cut through the sudden silence.

“Um, yes Professor,” she said shakily and lowered the hood of her cloak while covertly twisting the bead in her hair to glamour her face.

“Thank Merlin child,” McGonagall breathed. “We’ve been looking for you for hours.”

“Even though I told her it was quite unnecessary,” Melody growled.

“She is in my house and is my responsibility!” McGonagall snapped.

“And I told you she had leave!” Melody snapped, only curbed from continuing by Severus gripping her arm.

“Why wasn’t I informed beforehand?” McGonagall snapped.

“I’m sorry Professor,” Hermione piped up, not wanting anyone else to get in trouble. “I’m afraid I got distracted by my studies. I only remembered at the very last minute and forgot to tell you.”

“There, no harm done,” Dumbledore said with an annoying twinkle in his eye. “Let us all return to our houses now.”

“You never said anything to me,” Ron piped up, making Hermione’s jaw tense with anger. He just had to say something. Harry had wisely kept his mouth shut. Ginny, sensing the oncoming storm, swiftly belted her brother in the stomach.

“Did you not just hear her say that she forgot?”

Ron, for once in his life, was silent. For that, Hermione was eternally thankful. In fact, she was so glad that she accidentally relaxed a bit too much and ended up leaning against Draco. He stiffened under her, causing her to remember where she was and stand ramrod straight.

“And who is this with you?” Sirius piped in, a strange light in his eye. He looked unhealthy, dark circles under his eyes and sunken cheekbones indicating many sleepless nights. Hermione remembered that she’d given him that powder and wondered if it was taking its toll. Sirius was certain trying very hard not to look at Melody at that moment.

“Derik,” Melody said crisply, “is my son. I asked him to see Miss Granger to her appointment and back.”

Taking the cue, Draco reached up and fiddled with the glamour until he got it locked in to Derik’s appearance. Melody gave him a slight nod to confirm that it worked before he dropped his hood. Ginny’s gasp of appreciation made him smile but he quickly arranged his face into a stoic mask.

“Mother. Miss Granger, just as you asked.”

“Thank you son,” Melody said softly, her eyes darting to Sirius, who twitched when she uttered the words. “I realize it is late. You may rest in my quarters before you return home...if that is alright with you Headmaster?”

Albus smiled, amusement in his eyes when he realized what was going on. “That will be fine. After all, it is such a long journey back to London.”

“Thank you, sir, for your hospitality.” Draco said with a bow.

“Yes, well,” McGonagall said a bit flustered. “I believe it is time for us all to turn in. Morning will come too soon.”

Ginny furrowed her eyebrows at Harry, who was busy staring at Derik/Draco like he couldn't decide whether to shake his hand or kill him. Deciding that she really didn’t want to get in the middle of it, she grabbed her brother’s arm and pulled him along behind their head of house. Harry stepped forward cautiously and leaned forwards.

“Your mate?”

Hermione nodded and smiled up at Draco, whose face was still blank.

Harry eyed her mate for a moment before nodded. “Harry Potter.”

Draco’s eyebrows hit his hairline in shock. Still, he dutifully stepped forward and shook his hand. “Derik…Bach.”

Harry nodded and then looked back and forth between his best friend and her mate. “Um, take care of her, yeah?”

“Always,” Draco breathed and Hermione felt the sincerity all the way in her heart.

She gave her friend a watery smile which he returned before making his way to Gryffindor tower. The irony of what just happened was not lost on her. She briefly wondered what Harry would think if he knew he had shaken the hand of his school nemesis. She brushed the thought away and turned to see that everyone had dispersed except for Remus, Sirius, and Dumbledore…and her parents of course.

“How old is he?” Sirius croaked.

Melody gave him a cruel chuckle. “He isn’t yours Black. No need to worry your empty little head about it ever again.”

Sirius looked like he’d been slapped in the face. Remus sighed sadly and shook his head. He wisely stayed silent and led his friend down a darkened corridor. They could hear him whispering meaningless platitudes when Sirius started whimpering.

“You should release the spell,” Dumbledore said softly. “I believe you made your point.”

Melody sniffed. “It will release when he repents.”

“I see,” Dumbledore said. “Well, I take it everything is well?”

“Yes sir,” Severus said. “Just a little misunderstanding. It’s taken care of now. However, something else has been brought to our attention. It seems that in her turning, Nancy has somehow reconnected with her magic, weak though it may be.”

“Oh?”

Severus nodded. “We are keeping an eye on it.”

“I see,” Dumbledore said, stroking his beard. “Then I shall be ready, should the time come. I assume Alex is having a few random outbursts as well.”

“He hasn’t said anything,” Melody said with a frown, “but it’s still a possibility.”

Dumbledore nodded. “Keep me informed. Good night Severus, Melody, Miss Granger…Derik.”

“Night sir,” they all said in unison before practically flying down to Severus’s private quarters.

Melody threw up a dozen wards before smacking her head on the door. “Damn that was close.”

“Too close,” Severus said slowly. “Next time…we turn into mist.”

“Agreed,” Melody sighed and threw herself down onto the couch. “Now, onto training.”

“Shall we go to the ROR?” Draco asked.

“No,” Severus shook his head. “Tonight’s lesson will focus on learning the principals of Dark spells. I dare say we’ll need it for our quest.”

“Quest?” Hermione asked.

Severus nodded. “I no longer wish to just sit around and let fate play out. We will be hunting the horcruxes down ourselves.”

“Why the change of heart?” Draco asked curiously.

Severus’s face was absolutely unreadable as he turned to look at Melody. “I found my heart and I have no wish to hide it away any longer.”

AN: Everybody with me... Awwww. Sev finally got it...even if he couldn't say the actual words. Did you enjoy Hermione's punishment? I know I did. *evil grin* If you read my other story, you already know I'll be absent for two and a half weeks. Look for the next installment three Mondays from now. As always, thanks to everyone who reviewed. They make me giddy and speed up my writing. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time...love you guys!
- 18
- 19
- 20
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Beyond the Pale