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
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“Mione, you okay?”

Hermione barely glanced up from the fire in the common room to acknowledge Ron. She hadn’t been able to do more than that since lunch…and that horrible gift. It had taken Draco the better part of an hour to calm her down after that, both of them having taken refuge in Severus’s private quarters. Now she just felt…cold.

“Mione?” Ron asked as he plopped down beside her. “Hey. Can you hear me?”

“Yes,” Hermione said in a dead tone. She could barely make eye contact with him. “I can hear you just fine.”

“What’s wrong Mione?”

“Nothing.”

Ron stared at her for a few minutes before snapping. “You know what? Fine. Don’t tell me.”

“Okay,” Hermione said quietly and turned back to the fire.

She just couldn’t get that head out of her mind. Who sent it? Why did they send it? There was no note as to who it was from, just a head. She was surprised that it hadn’t turned to ash when they removed it from its body but Melody explained that a vampire only turns to ash if staked or exposed to sunlight. Thinking back to the cave, she remembered that the four other coven members they fought hadn’t turned to ash either.

“Maybe you can talk to her,” she heard Ron growl before stomping off.

Strong comforting arms came around her, pulling her into a welcoming embrace. She broke, shivering against Harry’s chest. She hadn’t been fit to attend her afternoon classes but Draco had to. They couldn’t both be missing. People might start to wander. She’d felt bereft without him and Harry brought back a much needed balance.

“Hey,” Harry said, stroking her back. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

“I-I need to get to the Professor,” Hermione managed to grind out.

“What happened?” Harry asked.

Hermione shook her head. “Can’t say here.”

“Okay. Come on then. Can you walk?”

Hermione sniffed and stood, wavering a moment before straightening back out. She felt weak and dizzy and cold… so cold. Harry slung his arm around her again and led her to the door.

“Where are you two going then?” Ron asked from across the common room.

“I’m going to take her to Madam Pomfrey,” Harry answered. “I think she might have the flu or something.”

“Oh, I’ll help,” Ron said, bounding over.

Hermione started to protest but found she didn’t have the strength. Instead, she just leaned in closer to Harry and whispered that he should take her to the hospital. Melody could help her from there. Harry, true to nature, took her around the waist and led on.

“When did you catch the flu?” Ron asked as they walked.

“Dunno,” Hermione said softly. “Just did.”

“Flu?”

The three teens jumped at the sound of Remus’s voice. They spun around, relaxing when they saw the werewolf smiling down at them. Hermione almost cried out in joy but stopped herself at the last moment.

“Yeah,” Ron said. “Mione caught the flu or something. We’re taking her to the hospital wing.”

“I see,” Remus said slowly, his eyes perusing her body and stopping at her stomach where she’d been bleeding out hours earlier. “I’ll take her the rest of the way then. You two go on back to your house. It’s curfew soon.”

“Oh, thanks,” Ron said with a frown. Harry merely smiled and handed his friend off to Remus, turning Ron back around.

“We’ll visit later?” Harry asked.

“Sure,” Hermione said with a weak smile of her own.

When they were out of earshot, Remus ducked down. “Severus’s rooms then?”

Hermione nodded. “Please.”

“I heard about this afternoon,” Remus muttered as he turned her down into the dungeons. “I think we may have a lead. He smelled of dark magic, a kind that I’m quite familiar with.”

“You think a werewolf did that?” Hermione asked in shock.

“No,” Remus said. “I think a hunter did.”

“A hunter?” Hermione squeaked.

Remus nodded. “They’ve hunted your kind and mine for centuries. My best guess is that You-Know-Who has employed them as well.”

“No doubt to keep his new minions in line,” Hermione said darkly.

“Precisely,” Remus said softly. “The spell on the package was meant to deliver it to the victim’s mate, to draw it out of hiding.”

“But that wasn’t my mate,” Hermione said.

“And that is where we find our dilemma,” Remus said. “Ah, here we are.”

“Enter,” Severus called tersely but quickly softened when he realized who was at the door. “Are you alright child?”

Hermione shook her head. “S-so cold.”

“Come,” Severus sighed.

Hermione flew across the room and snuggled into her father’s arms. His comforting presence seemed to break through the block of ice currently residing in her veins. The only thing that would make her feel better were if Draco were to come but it was still too early for that.

“What’s the latest?” Remus asked.

Severus sighed. “Melody managed to track it to a vampire in London. She’d based Draco’s glamour off of him, having only seen him once many years ago. It never occurred to either of us that he could have a hunter on his trail.”

“So you don’t think You-Know-Who was in on this?” Remus asked.

“We aren’t sure. I can’t just go flitting back to him whenever I fancy.”

“I’m not implying that,” Remus snapped. “I wondered if you had a gut instinct.”

“It doesn’t make sense for the Dark Lord to employ a hunter. Even if he did get one to pledge loyalty, they are worse than Greybeck, serving their own ends. You know that.”

Remus nodded. “Their bloodlust is too great.”

“Precisely. However, it would be foolish to rule it out.”

“So Hermione and Draco are staying here at the castle then?”

“No!” Hermione snapped. “We have to finish.”

“Not until you are well,” Severus growled, making her cower down to him. “Melody and I will complete the mission tonight. You two will stay in the hospital wing with Alex and Sage.”

“Feels strange…calling her that,” Hermione mused.

“It is infinitely safer,” Severus said. “But I agree. Come child, dinner is in half an hour. You must eat.”

Hermione sniffed. “Not bloody likely.”

“Would you prefer me to teach you a lesson then?”

Hermione paled. The growl in her father’s voice brokered no argument. He wouldn’t hesitate to make her strip and paddle her bare arse…and not in a pleasant way. No, he would hurt her and humiliate her if necessary.

“No sir,” she whispered.

“Then off you go,” Severus said softly before giving her a tender kiss. “You’re strong child. This too shall pass.”

Hermione blinked back tears. “I just…I hate that he had to die.”

“Would it help to know he was dark?” Severus asked.

Hermione shook her head. “I hate that those other six died…but it was a kill or be killed situation. He never saw it coming.”

“Be glad it wasn’t your actual mate,” Severus said.

Hermione bit her lip in contemplation. “If it wasn’t my mate, and the head was charmed to find its mate, then why did it come to me?”

“Trace magic,” Severus said sadly. “Melody was able to confirm that the owner of the head had no mate. Therefore, the trace found the next person with that signature, Draco under polyjuice, and found his mate.”

“Does that mean the hunter knows where we are?” Hermione asked. She felt sick.

“Ordinarily, yes,” Remus said softly. “But I have his scent. He won’t live long.”

“When does it all end?” Hermione asked miserably.

“When the war is over,” Severus whispered. “Now off with you.”

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“Feeling better?” Ron asked as Hermione wearily sat down in her seat.

“Not really,” Hermione mumbled.

The coldness had seeped back into her and it was starting to frighten her. She wasn’t supposed to be cold…or any temperature really. Glad that the questions had stopped for the moment, she busied herself with gulping her blood. It tasted sour and she was hard pressed not to spit it out. She gave a bewildered look to Harry and then turned to find her mother on the dais.

“It’s sour!” she hissed.

“Nonsense,” Melody murmured. “Tastes a bit like barbeque.”

Hermione tried another sip, thinking that maybe it was just an acquired taste, but no. It somehow was even worse. Her stomach gurgled and she felt like she was going to vomit.

“Something’s wrong,” she whimpered.

“Fuck,” Melody snapped and raced over to her. “Up Miss Granger. You’re looking peaky again.”

Melody quickly grabbed her tea cup and followed her out the door. They had only just crossed the hospital wing doors when Hermione’s stomach lurched, sending its meager contents spilling out onto the floor.

“Heavens!” Madam Pomfrey spluttered. “The child is vomiting blood!”

“I’ve got it Poppy,” Melody assured and siphoned the contents of the floor into a vial. Then she tapped on Hermione’s cross three times, paused, and tapped it another three times.

Hermione thought she was going to pass out. She hadn’t felt this horrible in a very long time. It wasn’t possible for a vampire to vomit anyway. What was in that teacup?

“What it is?” Severus hissed as he breezed into the room.

Melody handed him the vial. “She threw up.”

“No,” Severus whispered and disappeared.

“What’s happening?” Hermione groaned. Her stomach was churning and she was so bloody cold.

“Tell me how you’re feeling,” Melody coaxed gently.

“Cold, so cold,” Hermione whimpered. “And sick to my stomach. I feel dizzy and tired. I just need to sleep.”

“No!” Melody snapped. “Don’t you dare go to sleep!”

“I can’t anyway,” Hermione said miserably.

“I think you’ll find you can,” Melody whispered. “But you won’t wake up again.”

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Not sure yet,” Melody said sadly and gathered her into her arms. “But Sev mentioned earlier that you were okay in his embrace.”

Hermione nodded. “I felt much better.”

“Your sire has the potential to call to your blood. How do you feel in my arms?”

“The same,” Hermione sighed, warming up now.

“Did you touch that box in any way?”

“No,” Hermione said with a frown. “It landed on my plate and scattered my food but I never touched it. I was too afraid.”

“If I had to guess then, I’d say that box had a delivery curse on it.”

“Is that possible?”

“It’s obscure, that’s for sure. Old curses like that are designed to ripple on impact and seek out the first appropriate target it can find.”

“Me,” Hermione said and then froze in horror. “It isn’t contagious, is it?”

“No,” Melody said. “Even hereditary curses aren’t contagious to us.”

“But.”

“But it certainly is doing a number on you,” Melody sighed. “If it is the one I’m thinking of, a regular vampire would die within the hour. But you are no ordinary vampire. You still have life…and your soul.”

“What’s going to happen to me?”

“First,” Severus said as he crashed through the doors, “you’re going to drink this.”

Hermione reached a shaking hand out to take the smoking goblet from her father. The concoction was one she’d never smelled before and it reminded her of Harry’s quidditch gear. She wasn’t about to argue though and downed it in one go, gagging at the taste. Thankfully nothing came back up.

“Now,” Severus said. “I want you to go behind one of those curtains and strip.”

“Any particular reason why?” Hermione asked softly.

“I’m going to strip your body of the spell,” Severus explained. “And I have to see it to get it.”

“See?”

Severus nodded. “The first spell I’m going to cast will make the spell visible. Then I can deal with it.”

“What is it?”

“Just as Melody said, an ancient delivery curse. It is designed to make the living dead bleed out…from every orifice. You are not dead. However, you have enough venom coursing through your veins that you are exceptionally weak and therefore, affected.”

“What about Draco?” Hermione asked, fearing for her mate.

“You took the brunt of the spell. He should be fine but I have summoned him here just in case.”

Melody helped her across the room behind a partition. She couldn’t do much more than stand there as her mother stripped off her clothes and helped her to kneel. It was the easiest position she could be in, still upright but in no danger of falling.

“Ostende te!” Severus cast in his booming baritone.

Hermione looked down and gasped in disbelief. Her entire chest was covered in a pulsing black substance. It seemed to ooze and seep, burrowing under her skin for a few moments before pouring back out and looking even stronger than before.

“It’s feeding from you,” Melody whispered.

“Not for much longer,” Severus hissed and started waving his wand in an intricate scroll pattern.

Hermione felt her eyes go half-lidded. The familiar wash of dark magic called to her, sought out her desires, latched onto then. It whispered to her, telling her to lean back and let it hold her. It would take care of her. It would make her feel so good.

“Fight the effects!” Melody snapped. “Hold your body separate. Let it call to the spell. Don’t give in.”

“It’s so nice,” Hermione moaned dreamily.

“Nice and deadly,” Melody said gravely. “Remember your first lesson. Hold it in your mind.”

Hermione tried to remember her first lesson though it seemed like centuries ago. Her father was trying to convey how little control she had so he humiliated her by making her strip and bow before him, just like now. Only now she could feel he did it out of love. Then, he was exercising his control over her. He told her she was weak and cast a spell that made her want more, made her want to give herself over. She remembered the seductive nature of the spell, just like she was experiencing now. When it was over, they told her what the spell did. She was horrified.

“It’s the same spell!” Hermione said, her voice much fainter than before.

“No,” Melody said in a soothing voice. “It’s different. It feeds on dark magic, but it will target a person as well. Just ignore it, keep your ground.”

“Sooo hard,” Hermione panted. The sensations felt like heaven.

“How much longer Sev?” Melody asked tersely. “She needs a strong center.”

“It’s going to be a while,” Severus snapped. “It’s already permeated her skin and worked itself into tissue.”

“Fuck,” Melody yelled. “Dad and Sage have gone to hunt, so no help there. I’m not strong enough to hold her!”

“I might be.”

Melody whipped around to see Draco standing there. She sighed in relief and motioned for him to strip. He did so silently, his eyes locked to Hermione’s shaking form on the ground. Melody quickly explained what was happening and cast the same revealing spell on him that Severus had cast on Hermione. He was clean.

“Thank Merlin for that,” Melody said. “Kneel behind her. Put your arms around her. Will your magic to her. Just make sure to keep your hands away from the darkness or it could try to leach into you. Are you sure you are strong enough to resist this?”

Draco frowned, eyes burning with determination. “If I can resist the Dark Lord’s darkest spell, I’m sure I can resist this one.”

“Very well, take your place,” Melody ordered.

Hermione felt the difference immediately. Draco’s smell surrounded her and gave her something to lock onto. His warmth invaded her skin and his silky tresses against her face reminded her of running her fingers through it during their heated kisses. His whispers of encouragement and pleas for her to hold back gave her the strength to stay, to resist the darkness. Her mate was so much better than any spell. He had protected her to the detriment of his own wellbeing in the caves. One day, he might even come to love her.

Her eyes snapped open at that thought. When had she started thinking of him like that? At first, she was attracted to him because he smelled amazing but the realization of who he was repelled her. Then he had been bitten while trying to save her. It had changed him forever in her eyes. Maybe he wasn’t the little pureblood shit she thought he was. Then he’d woken up and been so angry and she couldn’t take it, only to find out it was himself he was angry with.

Still, that hadn’t made her think about love. She thought about getting as far away from him as possible. Then he’d asked her to mate, but she knew it was because they couldn’t afford for Lysander to claim her. Then he’d helped destroy Lysander but they mated anyway. The sex was hotter than anything she could imagine, but there was no love, only a mutual attraction.

She remembered her first punishment, how he’d been mad with grief at the thought of her running away. He’d ordered her never to say mudblood again. He’d happily held her all day when they were stuck together and protected her with a ferocity that surprised her in the caves. She remembered her injuries, how badly it hurt, how badly he was hurt. He still insisted on carrying her though. He’d needed to claim her again, just to reassure himself they were okay. She needed it too. Was it love?

“Hey,” Draco called. “Are you still with me?”

“Y-yes,” she managed to stutter out. The spell was getting more intense now but she hadn’t noticed it because she was too busy thinking.

“Thank Merlin,” Draco breathed. “I thought it had you snared. You didn’t respond to our questions.”

“Was thinking,” she mumbled.

“Well, you might want to think harder,” Melody called, “because this next part is going to hurt like a mother.”

Hermione looked down to see the black glob had almost separated from her body completely. There were still a few spider web looking tendrils sticking to her shoulders and chest. It looked to be struggling, trying to get back to her but her father started chanting faster and faster.

“What in Merlin’s name is going on here?” Madam Pomfrey shrieked as she walked around the curtain.

“Oh shit,” Melody muttered under her breath and spun around to see the horrified matron. “Miss Granger is infected with a dark spell. Severus is taking care of it.”

“B-but they’re NUDE!” Pomfrey yelled. “A-and together.”

“A precaution,” Melody said. “Mr. Malfoy is keeping her grounded.”

“But-but that’s impossible,” Pomfrey whispered. “They hate each other. You even had to bind them together.”

Melody gave the matron a gentle smile and encouraged her to look into her eyes. “Sometimes, Poppy, a flower only needs a little water to grow. Now come with me. I can assure you that Severus has the situation well at hand. All will be well.”

“Well,” Poppy sighed.

“Yes,” Melody cooed. “Well.”

Hermione couldn’t concentrate on their conversation any longer. The pain had set in. It was no longer a nice spell at all. It felt like someone was trying to shatter her bones from the inside. She couldn’t hold back the scream that spilled through her lips. Draco held her tighter, begging her to hold on. He told her she was strong and beautiful and better than any spell. He told her that he couldn’t live for eternity if she wasn’t with him. His words were so convincing and she really did want to believe him. The last thing she thought before the world went dark was that he might actually love her as much as she thought she loved him.

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“Hermione! Hermione, love, please, please wake up. Come back to me. Merlin Hermione, wake up!”

Draco’s voice sounded like he was under water, garbled and hard to make out. Her eyes felt like lead, heavy and uncooperative. Pain laced through her body but the memory of what caused it was not clear. Her head was pounding and her mouth felt dry. A cramp in her stomach made her want to cry out but she couldn’t.

“Damn it, Hermione, just fucking wake up. I can’t take this, I can’t. I’m not strong enough without you. Please, open your eyes. Don’t leave me here.”

Warm wet drops fell on her cheeks and slid down, dampening her neck and hair. Draco sounded so broken, so lost. Sadness radiated from him. Tears pooled under her eyelids, finally seeping down her cheeks. Draco let out a choked sound and her body was picked up in a crushing grip.

“Open your eyes damn it,” Draco hissed. “As your mate, I order you to open them. Now!”

Pain from the order made her try even harder and finally, her heavy eyelids raised. The sight before her was heart wrenching. Bloody track marks stained Draco’s beautiful face, his normally smooth features contorted in pain and relief.

“Oh thank Merlin,” he breathed and brought her to his naked chest. “Don’t ever do that to me again. I thought I’d lost you again.”

“W-what happen?” She managed to choke out, her throat and lips parched.

“The spell is gone,” Severus said from somewhere behind her. “But removing it took every bit of strength you had. You’ll need to feed soon.”

Hermione’s stomach cramped in response but she remembered vomiting earlier. “Can’t.”

“You can,” Severus said lowly. “The spell was preventing you earlier. There is nothing in your way now.”

“Can’t move,” she whispered.

“I know,” Severus said softly. “Which is why we ordered take away.”

“Huh?”

“Dinner is served,” Melody called.

She had a strapping young muggle in her grasp. He looked dazed and happy, not curious in the least as to his surroundings. The man smelled like steak, mash, and ale and Hermione wanted him badly. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough to feed from him though.

“Here,” Melody said as she coaxed the muggle to climb on the bed beside the couple. “We’ll help you.”

Draco spun her around and laced his hands round her chest, helping her to remain sitting up. Melody grabbed the muggle by his hair and had him bend lower, craning his neck for the perfect place to bite. She held him there and motioned for Hermione to take a bite.

It was delicious…and a relief. Fear of a dinner repeat had almost paralyzed her at first but now she was wondering if she would be able to stop. The cold numb feeling was finally gone and she could feel her strength returning. A whispered plea for her to stop caused her to freeze, listening to the slowing heartbeat. Reluctantly, she pulled away and licked the bite mark closed.

“Very good, little one,” Alex purred.

Hermione turned to see him walking through the door with Nancy, still disguised as Sage. She gave him a weak smile before leaning back against Draco. She still felt so tired but she was scared to close her eyes and try to meditate.

“You can rest now,” Severus said softly. “There is no danger of you not waking up any longer.”

She nodded and sighed when Draco lowered her back to the mattress. Hospital cots weren’t exactly comfortable but it was better than the stone floor. Still, the fear of sleeping forever kept her eyes wide open. She couldn’t stand the thought of Draco so broken earlier. He had cleaned his tears but she still saw them in her mind.

Draco planted soft kisses on her shoulder as he spooned behind her, pulling her as close as she could get. It felt like a form of worship, like she was he most precious thing on earth, like…love. There was that word again, and somehow this time it didn’t seem to jolt her so bad. Well, there was nothing that said she couldn’t fall in love with her mate. It was obvious he was quite attached to her as well. Even if he never said it aloud, there was no doubt he wanted her.

He kissed his way up her neck and nipped at her ear before suckling the lobe and blowing gently in her ear. She shuddered and broke out in goose bumps. His hands caressed and massaged her oversensitive skin. Wetness started seeping down her thighs at his ministrations.

“Even near death, you still want me,” Draco whispered in her ear.

“Always,” she moaned and arched up into him.

“Shhh,” Draco said, pushing her hips back down. “Just lay back and let me take care of you.”

“But-“

“No,” Draco said firmly. “Let me do this.”

Hermione went silent and Draco gave her a gentle smile. He rained kisses all over her body, little butterfly kisses that tickled and made her want to laugh. Soon, each touch sent chills down her spine as butterfly kisses turned to nips and wet suckles. He paid special attention to her aching nipples, the juncture of her neck and shoulder, and finally, her mouth.

For once, their mouths didn’t meet in a furious battle, but rather in a languid dance. They melded together, savored each other, and combined as one. The kiss was one of reassurance and relief, happy that they both made it through one more trial. They were two halves of a whole.

Draco pulled back, a look of complete adoration in his face. “You’re beautiful.”

Hermione felt the blood rush to her cheeks. “You’re a smooth talker.”

Draco frowned. “I’m not lying. You’re gorgeous. Especially when your lips are parted like that. It makes me want to-“

He kissed her hard, not allowing her to respond. His hands were everywhere, caressing her arms, breast, stomach, hips, thighs, and finally, finally the spot she wanted them most. His finger probed her soaking folds, parting them before slipping one digit inside. He played her like a harp, gave in to her every desire.

Hermione moaned and writhed beneath him, not able to form coherent words. She felt her body start to climb and fought against it. She wouldn’t go over without permission, not this time. Draco wanted to take care of her, but she wanted to give him something in return, something she knew he would love, her complete submission.

“Let it go, love,” Draco purred. “Let me hear it, feel it, taste it.”

He knelt down and took her clit in his mouth, suckling it gently. That was all she needed to go over, pleasure flooding her veins and filling them with warmth. The constant pain was dulled and even the numbness from the spell gave way to ecstasy. She shuddered, feeling his tongue invade her channel, lapping at her juices.

When she finally came down, Draco crawled back up her body and kissed her gently. He pulled her legs up around him and entered her in one smooth thrust. It felt amazing, his hard hot length gliding inside her. He moved slowly but seemed to fill her more than he’d ever done. His mouth sealed to hers, tongue mimicking the movement of his hips.

She lost track of time as he gently possessed her body. Vague bits of whispered conversations flitted through her mind. Curtains were erected around their bed. The buzz of silencing charms hit her ears. All of that fell away though, Draco’s soft whispers of appreciation taking center stage. Her peak was nearing again when he pulled back to stare in her eyes.

“Come with me.”

Her orgasm crashed against him, flooding him with her warmth and causing him to come as well. He moaned out her name, repeating it like a prayer as she attempted to remember how to breathe. He had literally taken the ability away. Draco’s thrusts slowed to a stop and he collapsed, throwing his weight to the side so he wouldn’t be on top of her.

It was a long while before she could get her breathing under control, an experience she hadn’t had as a vampire yet. Draco held her in his arms, caressing her shoulders until she calmed. Feelings of happiness and calm radiated from him and she basked in it.

“Rest now,” Draco whispered. “I’ll be here.”

She believed him. Bone weary and ready to drop, she finally closed her eyes and let her mind slow to a crawl. Sounds and sensations melted away as her body shut down to meditate. Her mate was with her. Everything was going to be okay.

AN: Hey everyone. Hope you enjoyed this installment. The holidays are sucking pretty hard for me right now so I'm going to take a breather and try to get my head back on straight. I'll be back after the new year. Don't give up on me. As always, thanks to everyone for your reviews. They bring smiles when they are rare. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time... love you guys.

*if you're reading Fooling Fate, I haven't finished the chapter yet. I'm trying, honest. I'll have it up as soon as I can but writing is hard when you just don't feel like it.
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Beyond the Pale