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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
- 26
- 27
- 28
Harry ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “So you’re Derik, you’ve always been Derik, and you still shook my hand in a civil manner.”

“I can be civilized, Potter,” Draco huffed in annoyance. “Look, I had a change of heart, and yes, it was before I knew who Hermione was. Can’t that be enough?”

“If you hurt her…”

“Spare me the overprotective friend spiel Potter. I’d rather cut off my own limbs.”

“So you do care then,” Harry asked in shock.

“Yes I bloody well care,” Draco spat. “She’s my mate for Merlin’s sake!”

“But this was a business deal, wasn’t it?” Harry asked. “You agreed to be her mate so Lysander or anyone else couldn’t have her.”

“That’s why she said yes,” Draco hedged.

“But,” Harry said flatly.

Hermione sighed. “Draco is my one true mate Harry.”

Harry flopped back in his chair in shock. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Hermione shifted against Draco, trying to sit up a little further. Draco quickly pulled her where she wanted to be. “Harry, Draco is a spy now. He is on our side but no one, not even the Order, can know. If You Know Who decided to read one of their minds, it would be beyond awful. Severus can take the suspicion of being a double spy. Draco doesn’t have that luxury. If anyone suspects, the Dark Lord will kill him.”

“And my family,” Draco sighed. “Though I am not the least bit concerned for Lucius at this point, mother is practically innocent.”

“Practically?” Harry asked.

Draco nodded. “She’s still a pureblood, Potter. She’s as blood prejudiced and judgmental as the rest of the lot, but she prefers ignoring or snubbing to killing and torture. She’s come to the conclusion that the Light has known all along. There is nothing but tyranny in the wake of the Dark Lord winning. There will be no improvement, just a shift in who you serve.”

Harry narrowed his eyes. “Why do you not care about your father?”

“Severus has been more of father as far as I’m concerned,” Draco growled. “Lucius is the man that procreated with my mother to have me. He’s the one that sent the hunter, set up the polyjuice, and captured the magical signature that allowed the hunter to enter Hogwarts.”

“But he’s in Azkaban!” Harry said in alarm.

“Not anymore,” Draco said gravely. “The Dark Lord has put him in charge of the vampire plan.”

“What does that mean?” Harry asked.

“It means,” Severus said as he entered, Melody close behind, “that the Dark Lord does not have faith in the project. It is a pipe dream, one which he deems so insignificant that he has placed his largest disappointment in charge.”

“He plans on Lucius failing,” Hermione said.

Severus nodded.

“And that’s the worst thing that could ever happen to us,” Draco said miserably.

“Why?” Harry asked.

“Because,” Melody said, radiating anger. “Lucius Malfoy will never stop until he gets what he wants.”

“And he wants to get back into Voldemort’s good graces,” Harry said, making the vampires flinch.

“Precisely Potter,” Draco said. “He’ll do whatever it takes to prove he is worthy of that despot, including turning a hunter loose on his own son.”

“He knows?” Melody gasped.

“No,” Draco said with a frown. “He knows that there is a vampire in Hogwarts, but not that I am one. His orders were only to search and destroy, not for a specific person. It’s irresponsible to turn a hunter loose in a school full of children, where his own son attends no less. He doesn’t care for my safety if he’s willing to risk that.”

Harry frowned. “But hunters are just humans seeking to kill vampires.”

“They are the equivalent of The Dark Lord,” Severus drawled. “They care nothing of humanity anymore. It’s a game of blood and victory. They’ll kill any human, innocent or not, regardless of age, sex, or race, for nothing more than simply standing in the way.”

Harry shivered. “So now what?”

“We take them out as they come,” Melody said matter-of-factly. “It’ll take old Lucy a little while to realize his top two hunters aren’t on their game. And when and if he does, he’ll never be able to trace Severus’s obliviate, nor his new memories of this night. As far as they are concerned, they tangled with a very pissed off werewolf and retreated after finding no signs of the undead.”

“You aren’t dead though,” Harry said. “Not if I understand it right. Your heart beats.”

“It does,” Melody said. “But we still show up as vampires under the detection charm, which is what they use.”

“It’s as I said Potter,” Draco sighed. “They don’t stop and check for a pulse. They keep at it as long as the charm goes off until someone turns to ash, no matter who they hit in the way.”

Harry nodded with a frown. “How can you tell a hunter from a normal person?”

“They wear a charm,” Melody said. “It is supposed to be an attractant for vampires or werewolves accordingly.”

“They got it crossed then,” Hermione said with a frown. “It smelled like musky wolf and sickening nightshade combined.”

“That was Remus,” Melody said with a grin. “Their charms reacted to his proximity. It’s the one thing they don’t count on. Werewolves and vampires don’t hang out together on principal.”

“But the vampire smell made me sick to my stomach,” Hermione said.

“That’s because you aren’t normal,” Severus said, smirking. “Normal vampires are very attracted to that smell.”

“Then I’m not normal either,” Draco sniffed. “All it made me want to do was kill him.”

Severus nodded. “He threatened your family and smelled like the vampire who tried to take your mate. It’s quite understandable. In fact, most vampires who have slayed others, especially in the name of a mate, feel the same. It’s why they use it. Enraged or aroused, they don’t care as long as it attracts.”

Harry ran his hand through his hair again. “So how can I tell the difference?”

Severus snorted. “Why would you need to Potter?”

“I’m not going to just sit there and watch them go after Hermione if I can do something about it!” Harry yelled.

“I can take care of her,” Draco hissed. “I don’t need your help Potter. You’d just go off half-cocked and get yourself killed.”

“Look,” Harry said. “I’m not going to go off following every vampire hunter in Scotland. I just want to know what they look like in case I see them stalking the bloody halls.”

“They don’t have a uniform, Harry,” Melody said. “But they normally conceal their identity. It wouldn’t do for a vampire to get a gander at their face and track them down. They also wear a crucifix like Hermione’s. While garlic is one hell of a deterrent, they prefer to attract rather than repel. You might catch a whiff of peppermint, candy floss, maybe even sugar or chocolate biscuits.”

“So they smell like actual vampires,” Harry said, an odd look in his eye.

“They do,” Melody said, tensing a bit. Her eyes darted over to Severus who frowned.

“Out with it Potter,” Severus spat, making Harry jump.

“Ginny said something odd the other day,” Harry said, his eyes meeting Severus’s dead on. “She said that you walked by and instead of the smoke she expected, you smelled like chocolate.”

Severus scoffed. “Not that it is any of your business Potter, but chocolate happens to be my favorite treat.”

“Then how is it that I never see you eating it?”

Severus glared at him. “I choose to indulge privately, rather than create a spectacle out of myself in front of a bunch of nattering children.”

“Prove it then,” Harry said. “Eat some.”

Severus quirked an eyebrow at him. “Are you serious?”

“No, but I am,” Sirius called as he came barging through the door. He froze at the sight of Melody but quickly looked away, digging something out of his pocket. “You left rather quickly. Kreacher succumbed to my orders, had it hidden in his cupboard. I finally offered him the other in exchange. I’m not sure why you need it, but here.”

“Sirius!” Harry shouted and lunged at his godfather. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been here all year pup,” Sirius said with a laugh. “I’ve just been lurking in the shadows.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Harry asked.

“Didn’t want you to get into trouble.” Sirius ruffled his hair. “But now that you know, I expect you to follow the rules. Should you want to speak, just…take a stroll by the Room of Requirement and drop a piece of parchment. I’ll find you.”

“What’s that?” Harry asked, watching Sirius hand Severus something in a burlap bag.

“Just an old relic,” Sirius said. “Come on then, let’s catch up shall we? It’s been a while since I’ve been able to talk to you.”

Harry nodded and followed Sirius out, sparing one more glare for Severus and a soft look for his friend. Once they were out of ear shot, Severus closed all the doors with a flick of his hand. He clutched the necklace tightly with one hand while holding Melody close with the other.

“That was too close,” Melody breathed. “Why did you fail to wear your charm?”

“The only time I forgot was when our children came back to us from the seaside.”

Melody nodded. “Harry’s got a better memory than I gave him credit for.”

“Not really,” Hermione said. “Well, he does have a good memory, a photographic one at that, but putting all those clues together is a somewhat slow process. I mean, he completely forgot about Sirius’s two way mirror last year until it was too late. He didn’t even think about father’s scent until a vampire’s specific smell was mentioned. His memory is top notch, but his deductive reasoning…not so much.”

“So basically,” Draco drawled. “You’re just reiterating the fact that Potter acts before he thinks.”

“I suppose I am,” Hermione sighed. “But he does notice the little things, even if he doesn’t quite put them all together at first.”

“That’s been Albus’s tactic all along,” Severus said through clenched teeth. “Leave the boy bread crumbs, as many as he possibly could, and then count on brash actions to slow the thought process until he could come to terms with what they meant.”

“A lamb to slaughter,” Draco whispered. “Potter is the perfect chess piece, pulled out at the very end after having seen the entire game and turned loose with the knowledge that he has absolutely nothing to lose. He’ll make arrangements for a contingency plan, but he’ll throw himself head long into the fray after having come to a clear but horrible conclusion.”

“And Albus’s death is the domino that will star the sequence,” Melody said sadly. “All year, Albus will teach Harry about Tom Riddle, his every move gathered over the years. He’ll share his theories, his knowledge of what keeps the despot alive. And, only after he’s confirmed whatever suspicions he has, he’ll finally tell Harry about the Horcruxes. Harry has a photographic memory. He’ll remember what Tom’s most coveted items looked like.

“Once Severus kills Albus, Harry will think he is well and truly alone and this will only cement Sev’s position with the Dark Lord. Harry will be determined to hunt Horcruxes, their images burned into his brain. Once he succeeds, he’ll come back to Hogwarts which will be under Sev’s command, just as Albus hoped it would be. Albus has ordered us not to tell Harry until the last possible moment. What better moment then the one before he has a chance to face the Dark Lord?”

“Isn’t there anything we can do?” Hermione asked, trying not to cry and lose precious blood.

“I don’t think so,” Melody said. “I mean, I could turn him. He’d come back, but Albus is adamant that the Dark Lord must be the one to kill Harry and no one else.”

“Well, they have a connection,” Hermione frowned. “He hasn’t been able to cast the killing curse at Harry with any luck so far.”

“Perhaps that is what he is counting on,” Severus said. “But if we turn him before then, our chance is lost. If he becomes like us, he is still susceptible to the killing curse. If he comes back from that, he’ll be dark. Death will see to that. If we turn him now and let the darkness take him, then I’m not sure that whatever Albus has in mind will work.”

“And we’ll have lost him anyway,” Melody said sadly. “No, I’m afraid I know of no other way. Blocking the killing curse just isn’t possible. We have to hope that his insane luck holds.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione stretched like a cat, happy that her mobility had returned. It was early Monday morning before she sun had even risen, and she felt like hunting.

“I take it you’re ready?” Severus asked, his lips quirked in a smile.

“Yes!” Hermione chirped, shakily making her way out of the bed. “I want to move.”

“Let me check you over first,” Melody said, motioning for her to sit back down. She flicked her wand several times and nodded. “You’ll still be a bit sluggish, but the poison has run its course.”

“Can we go then?” Hermione asked hopefully.

“You plan on running around London in your birthday suit?” Melody asked with a grin.

“Huh?” Hermione looked down in confusion. “Oh! Um, where are my clothes?”

“Draco had Dobby clean them. They were quite filthy after the episode with the hunter.”

Hermione looked around the room. “Where is he?”

“Supposedly heading this way,” Severus said with a frown. “He should have been here by now.”

“Where did he go?”

“He was checking on that vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement,” Melody said. “He was going to see just how broken it was and how much it was going to take to repair it.”

Hermione frowned. “I don’t remember him leaving.”

“You were deep in meditation,” Severus said. “He didn’t want to disturb you.”

“I’m disturbed now!”

“I’m sure you are,” Melody said. “But he had things he needed to do.”

Hermione resisted the urge to stomp like a two year old. “I know that.”

“I see she’s awake,” Draco said dryly as he entered the room.

“Mm hum,” Melody said with a smirk. “We’ll let you two…catch up. We leave in a few minutes. Meet us at the edge of the forest when you’re ready.”

“My leaving hurt you?” Draco asked after their parents walked out.

“I just didn’t know where you were,” she said miserably as she studied the duvet on the bed. “I don’t like not knowing.”

“Come here,” he said, gathering her in his arms. “I’ll always be here.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be clingy.”

“No, by all means,” he chuckled. “I like you clingy, especially when you aren’t wearing anything.”

“Where are my clothes anyway?”

“Dobby should have them back here in just a moment. They were filthy.”

“I feel filthy,” she admitted.

Draco grinned. “Then we should clean up!”

He had her in the shower in the blink of an eye. The water felt nice sliding over her skin. She hadn’t realized she felt quite so gritty but now she was in heaven. Draco soaped up a flannel and was tenderly washing her body, paying special attention to her breasts. She moaned as he scraped his nail across one of her nipples, sending a jolt between her legs that made them buckle.

He chuckled darkly. “Something wrong?”

“Bastard,” she rasped.

“My parents were married.”

“Oh, you-“

“Ah, ah, ah love. Just hush and be patient.”

“Easy for you to say,” she muttered, grabbing on to his shoulders to try and stay upright.

He pulled back with an incredulous look on his face. One glance down revealed that he was hard a stone. Maybe he wasn’t quite a patient as he was letting on. Still, it was driving her mad. She wanted him already. What was with the foreplay?

“I’m trying not to overtax you,” he growled. “You’re still pretty weak.”

“I’m not going to break. Just…please.”

Draco couldn’t stand it anymore. He had her pinned to the wall and was inside her in the next breath. She cried out in victory. Finally. It was like coming home. By the second thrust, she was already about to go over. What was it about her mate that could drive her insane? All she knew was that she wanted more. Her fingernails cut into his skin as he plunged over and over, making her body go taught before her first orgasm washed over her.

He wasn’t done with her yet. She shrieked as he lifted her hips to eye level, burying his tongue in her folds and feasting on her juices. He savored her unique flavor, his moans of delight vibrating against her sensitive clit. One scrape of his fang over her nether lips and she was gone again, shuddering in his arms.

He brought her back down, falling to his knees and pulling her on top. He sunk home with a loud groan, making her shiver. He filled her completely, rubbing against that perfect spot. She writhed and wailed, loving how he made her feel. She missed this, the closeness her mate provided her with. He thrust up sharply, rubbing over her clit just right and she went over again, his growl of completion following shortly after.

“Damn,” Draco gasped. “I missed that.”

Hermione giggled. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

“Sure,” Draco said, picking them both up. “But we need to get back soon.”

“Why?”

“I think I might have found the next Horcrux.”

“Really?”

Draco nodded. “I smelled it when I went into the ROR. It smelled like the magic in that cave, but different. I think it smells like that necklace Sirius gave father, but it was under a charm so I couldn’t exactly tell.”

“Well what are we waiting for?” Hermione chided, rinsing off and stumbling out of the shower. “Let’s go.”

“Easy sweetheart,” Draco laughed. “It’ll still be there when we get back.”

“The sooner we get all the Horcruxes found, the sooner this war will end and we can finally be free.”

“Free,” Draco breathed. “Now that would be something.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The four vampires entered the ROR cautiously. The room was benign at first glance, but there was no telling what was keeping the Horcrux protected. Draco led the way around piles of junk in an elaborate maze that would make Merlin’s head spin. Finally, they came to across an elaborate headpiece that absolutely reeked.

“The lost diadem of Ravenclaw,” Severus breathed.

“How long was it missing?” Hermione asked.

“No one really knows,” Severus said. “But I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Riddle romanced the answer out of the Grey Lady.”

“The Grey Lady?”

Severus nodded. “She was the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw.”

“Merlin’s beard!” Hermione squeaked.

“Indeed,” Severus said with a small smile. “So, now we have the diary, the ring, the necklace, and the diadem. That’s four.”

“Nagini makes five and Harry is six,” Hermione said. “So that would be seven pieces. Do you think that is all of them?”

“There was one other thing,” Draco said. “I think he made Hufflepuff’s cup into one. Remember how much he coveted it?”

“Hufflepuff’s cup has been missing since Riddle was a young man,” Severus said. “But that would mean that the Dark Lord split his soul into eight pieces. That’s a random number.”

“I think Harry was an accident,” Hermione said softly. “He disappeared that night, after all. I’m certain he didn’t plan for that.”

“No, certainly not,” Severus said with a frown. “I wonder if there are any more.”

“We should ask Dumbledore,” Draco said, throwing a cloth over the diadem and lifting it up, just in case it was cursed.

They all left the room, none of them caring for the lateness of the hour. They wanted answers and they were going to retrieve them. No one was shocked when the Gargoyle leapt out of the way as they stepped up. The office door was already opened when they reached it. Apparently they were expected.

“I was wondering when you would come,” Dumbledore said, spinning slowly in his chair. He looked tired, his arm even worse than before. “I’m glad to see you well again Miss Granger.”

“Thank you sir,” Hermione said, taken aback at his withered appearance.

“We’ve found another one,” Severus said, tossing the diadem on the desk along with the necklace from his pocket. “How do we destroy them?”

“Why, with the sword of course,” Dumbledore said, pointing towards the wall where the Sword of Gryffindor was mounted. “It takes into it that with is stronger. Therefore, when Harry slayed the Basilisk, the venom was taken into the blade. It worked beautifully on the ring.”

“Well, let’s get on with it then,” Draco growled, taking the blade off the wall.

“Fair warning Draco,” Dumbledore said weakly. “The Horcruxes don’t care to be destroyed. They will fight back.”

Draco narrowed his eyes. “How?”

“Well, it is hard to explain. It will feed on your fears, take your weakness and exploit it. Do not trust any of the visions it shows you.”

“Great,” Draco said. “Will everyone be safe while I do this?”

“Yes, we will not be harmed,” Dumbledore said, getting up from the desk rather shakily to make room.

“It would make me feel better if you would let me brew you a strengthening solution,” Melody said as she helped the Headmaster across the room. “It won’t prolong anything, but you wouldn’t be so drained all the time.”

“Thank you for your concern Melody,” Dumbledore said, patting her hand. “But I rather think this is my penance.”

“Bullshit,” Melody snorted. “What do you hope to prove in this state?”

“That people will stop and realize how frail I was before I died,” Dumbledore whispered, making them all pause.

“Don’t,” Severus hissed. “Don’t do this. I can take care of myself.”

“Please Severus,” Dumbledore said much stronger than before. “I am forcing your hand. You think I do not know how much it affects you? You have a family now, one that needs you very much. Let me plant the seeds of doubt. After all, eternity is a very long time.”

Severus stared his mentor down for a long time before nodding curtly. There would be no arguing with the old man, no matter how much they wanted to. Severus motioned for Draco to continue.

“Here goes nothing,” Draco breathed as he lifted the sword over his head. Before he could swing it, it disappeared.

“Damn,” Melody snapped. “Stupid rule of Gryffindor. Only a true one can wield it.”

“Now what?” Draco growled.

“Fiendfyre,” Dumbledore said. “It’s strong enough…if you are.”

“Just say the place,” Draco said. “And I’ll be there.”

“There is a spot in the Forbidden forest that has been cleared of all living things for centuries,” Dumbledore started. “It was used for Druid rituals and has remained protected ever since. It should have enough room to cast without endangering others should you lose control.”

“We’ll go now,” Draco said, carefully bagging the objects.

“One other thing,” Dumbledore said quietly. “I believe to destroy it, you must open the locket. I have a feeling that it will only respond to Parseltongue.”

“We need Potter then,” Severus said.

Dumbledore nodded. “Have him order it to open. Once the Horcruxes are destroyed, please accompany him to see me. I fear that we will need to speed his lessons along.”

“What are you missing, Albus?” Melody growled. “What do you need to confirm your doubts?

“I merely need the number,” Dumbledore said. “And the only person who knows is Slughorn.”

“And you wish to use Harry’s fame to lure him in,” Hermione concluded.

Dumbledore nodded. “The memory I gathered from him was altered. He must give it freely and I believe that Harry is just the one to do that.”

“Alright then,” Draco sighed. “We’ll go fetch Potter and go to the clearing. Once these damned things are destroyed, we’ll meet back here. Simple enough.”

“Not exactly,” Severus sneered. “Where is the clearing? How will we find each other if we split up?”

“I’ll tell you where Severus,” Dumbledore said. “I’ll let you search my mind for it. Draco and Hermione can seek you out by scent.”

“Done,” Draco said before anyone else could talk. “We’ll meet you there as soon as we can.”

They rushed out the door without another word. Hermione was a little perturbed by this. She would have liked a solid plan before embarking on a dangerous mission. As they raced through the corridors, she felt Draco’s emotions in waves so overpowering that she couldn’t speak. Fear, anger, confusion, and determination combined, it was hard to make sense of.

“Draco,” she whispered as they exited the stairs on the seventh floor. “Please.”

He halted, drawing her into his arms. “I want it to be over Hermione. You have no idea how much.”

She locked eyes with him, caressing his cheek. “I do Draco. I really do, but you are acting like Harry right now and I don’t like it.”

He sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s just… my father- no- Lucius has set hunters after us. We’ve got to worry about the Dark Lord. Then there is the war and our nature and…I just want it to stop.”

She laid her head on his chest. “It will.”

He took a steadying breath, inhaling her scent. “And after… if we win… what then?”

She shrugged. “We go on.”

“Together?”

“Of course. We’re mates. Nothing will ever change that.”

“You’re so certain.”

She laughed. “I’m actually uncertain about a great deal. But you are my one true mate. The more I see of you, the more I find I like.”

“Well, that’s a compliment coming from the Gryffindor Golden girl.”

Hermione snorted. “Call me that again, and you’ll be getting very friendly with your hand.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“It’s a promise.”

“And if I order you?”

Hermione cocked her head to the side, her eyes searching his. Somehow, she knew he would never do it, but she had to be sure.

“Please don’t?”

He crumbled before her eyes and crushed her to his chest. “Never, love. I would never do that.”

“I know,” she whispered. “Let’s go get Harry.”

Draco nodded and reached up, clicking his Derik glamour into place. Even if Potter and Ginny knew who he was, it wouldn’t do for anyone else to. He waited patiently for Hermione to say the password and followed in behind her. The common room was vacant, meaning they would need to sneak upstairs to the boy’s dorm. Hermione led the way on light feet, careful not to make any sounds. They snuck into the sixth year dorms and closed the door.

Hermione made a beeline for Harry, placing silencing charms up to keep the others from knowing they were there. When she was sure they were safe, she motioned for Draco to get his wand off the nightstand. Harry normally stuffed it under his pillow, but they had caught a lucky break. When Draco had his wand secured, she pounced, placing her hand over Harry’s mouth and shaking him awake. He shot up with a start, eyes wide. Draco slipped his glasses on his face so he could see who he was being accosted by. When she was sure he wouldn’t scream, she let go.

“Hermione? What the bloody hell are you doing here?”

“We need your help with something Harry.”

“What?”

“Just come with us and we’ll explain it when it’s safe.”

“Oh and Potter,” Draco drawled. “Best put on some trainers and dress warmly. We’re going for a walk.”

Harry fumbled around for a moment, pulling on a pair of old jeans and a jumper. Draco handed him his wand and led the way out. No one talked until they were at the edge of the forbidden forest.

“Um,” Harry said. “No offense, but I’m not exactly comfortable among the creatures of the night.”

Draco snorted. “You’re with two of the most dangerous ones right now Potter. Suck it up.”

“Where are we going then?”

“We’ll know when we get there,” Hermione said, taking a sniff of the air.

“What does that mean?” Harry asked.

“Got it,” Hermione said.

“It means were going for a run,” Draco said, grabbing Harry and throwing him over his shoulder before taking off like a shot.

The woods blurred and Harry’s screams and threats disappeared into the wind as they traveled at speeds too fast for the human eye to see. It took only moments before they were standing in a large clearing. It was void of everything, including grass. It was a large circle, stones marking the exterior. Severus and Melody were waiting in the middle.

“Damn it Malfoy,” Harry spat when he was thrown to the ground. “Warn a bloke first.”

Draco smirked. “Next time Potter.”

“So, why am I here?” Harry asked.

“Because,” Melody said, as she walked to the center of the clearing where Draco was putting the Horcruxes down. “We need you to open this locket. We believe it only responds to Parseltongue.”

“Why?” Harry asked, gazing at the locket.

“Because it was Slytherin’s,” Severus spoke up. “And because the Dark Lord charmed it himself.”

“It belonged to Vol – sorry – You-Know-Who?”

“Yes,” Severus said. “And after Draco destroys these relics, we are to take you to Dumbledore so he can inform you of their value.”

“And you can’t.”

“We are on a timetable,” Melody broke in. “Dumbledore wished to tell you himself and we must do this before anyone is the wiser. So please, command the locket to open so we can get rid of it.”

“What’s in the locket?” Harry asked.

“The same thing that was in the diary,” Hermione said quietly. “Be careful Harry.”

Harry nodded. “On three then. One…two…three…”

A familiar hissing sound escaped Harry’s lips, making Severus and Draco both shiver. They’d heard snake language more than they cared to from the Dark Lord’s lips. It usually meant death for whatever poor person decided to cross him that day. This time, it was used to help them, but it still brought up horrid memories.

The locket snapped open, revealing a dark brown eye. It was a match for Riddle’s before he was so changed. Harry rushed backwards, startled that he could see it in the dark. Hermione quickly snatched him and ran over to her parents, whispering for Draco to be careful as well. She was terrified but he had elected to destroy them. It was something he had to do, she knew, and she wasn’t going to deny him that.

“I have seen your heart, and it is mine,” Voldemort’s voice hissed from the locket.

“No fucking way,” Draco breathed.

“I have seen your dreams, Draco Malfoy, and I have seen your fears. All you desire is possible, but all that you dread is also possible.”

“Don’t listen to it Draco!” Hermione yelled.

“A disappointment to your father, who only ever wanted a strong son… only tolerated by your mate who had no other choice… not good enough…never good enough.”

“It’s not true Draco!” Hermione screamed, hoping to break through the frozen state her mate was now in.

A grey bubble poured out of the locket and another came from the center of the diadem. They formed two figures, Hermione and Lucius. Hermione felt her heart clench when her bubble-self sneered at Draco. She’d just promised him that she’d stay with him forever. It had to have been a sore spot with him.

“You don’t honestly think I’d choose you willingly, do you?” her bubble-self hissed.

“Draco, don’t listen,” Hermione pleaded. “Destroy it. Don’t let it get to you. It lies, just like the darkness.”

“Some son you are,” Lucius taunted. “Taking up with a mudblood. You drank her blood to spare your pitiful life. You are no son of mine.”

“No,” Draco whispered. “I’m not. Not anymore.”

He picked up his wand and shouted something that she couldn’t begin to understand. Fire coiled around his arm before shooting out in an arc towards the Horcruxes. A wall of flames surrounded them, the fiery head of a snake emerging before plunging onto the trinkets. Draco was shaking as a high pitched scream came from them. It was painful, making the vampires’ sensitive ears ring.

Draco was quickly losing control, the flames climbing higher and higher. Severus and Melody put up a powerful shield, holding back the destructive heat but Hermione was in panic mode. If Draco couldn’t hold it, he’d be lost to her. She couldn’t bear it.

“Take control,” she pleaded. “You can do it sweetheart. I believe in you. Please. You can’t leave me here alone.”

Draco’s eyes locked on to the now melted Horcruxes. He shouted something else making the flames dwindle until they retreated into his wand. He fell to his knees in exhaustion. The spell had taken his strength from him, making it hard to stand. But they were destroyed, nothing but twisted hunks of metal. They were one step closer to being free.

“Thank Merlin,” Hermione cried, falling down in her happiness.

“Bloody hell,” Harry breathed.

“Indeed,” Severus said and collected the mangled Horcruxes. “Come Mr. Potter. Dumbledore is waiting.”

“Hermione,” Harry called.

“Best leave them,” Melody whispered in his ear. “They have some things they need to work out.”

“Right,” Harry said and trekked after his professor.

“Draco?” Hermione asked, crawling to his side to cling to him.

“I’m okay,” Draco whispered, holding her close.

“Are you sure?”

He stayed silent until she wanted to cry from aggravation and fear. Finally, he broke. “I think I am.”

“It’s not true,” Hermione whispered. “I chose you Draco. I did.”

“Did you?” Draco asked.

“I’m strong enough to disobey you, father, and grandfather Draco. I stood up to Zander and I could have told Lysander to take a hike. I-I wanted you the first time I smelled you.”

“No you didn’t,” Draco snorted. “You were a wreck, looked like a scared rabbit. In fact, when Alex came, you threw yourself at him.”

Hermione pouted. “He calmed me down. It was a shock…finding out my biggest enemy was my mate. But…I still wanted you.”

“Because I smelled delicious?”

“No, you smelled like home.”

“It was strange,” Draco said, resting his chin on her head. “I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. I mean, I knew you weren’t the Rain I knew immediately. And you freaking out about not having control, it intrigued me. Then I saw your eyes, not the color, but the look and…I just had to have you. Even knowing you were a muggle born didn’t deter me. I didn’t care by then. I couldn’t stop thinking about you and when I went to the diner, I wasn’t going to stop until I had you.”

“And then you found out who I was.”

“It was a shock,” Draco admitted. “I imagine I knew exactly how you felt in that moment…but as idiotic as I acted in that moment, I still wanted you.”

“So that’s settled,” Hermione sighed. “We want each other.”

“I’m not sure I could live without you,” Draco said with a frown. “I think I understand why vampires choose not to take another mate if theirs is destroyed.”

“Me too,” Hermione said. “And as much as I would love to discuss this with you at length, there is something crawling up my leg and it is almost dawn.”

Draco chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Come on then. Let’s get back to the school.”

She was in her bed before she let herself think about Draco’s words. He’d come dangerously close to talking about love. She wondered if that was how she felt. All she knew was that in that moment, when Draco’s life was at risk, she would have braved the fire to save him for no other reason than she couldn’t live without him. She smiled into the darkness. Maybe eternity would be great after all… if they made it.

AN: Two horcruxes down, a few more to go. I know these two need a break, but this story just won't allow it. I'll put in a word with my muse and see if she'll listen. I think a day spent shagging their brains out would be time well spent. How about you guys? And maybe we'll figure out where Sirius is at with his spell. As always, thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm really loving how this story is turning out and it is all thanks to you guys. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time...love you guys.
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Beyond the Pale