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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
- 27
- 28
- 29
The next evening after classes found Hermione and her family all gathered in Dumbledore’s office. She was surprised to see Alex and Nancy there. They’d left Hogwarts after Nancy’s magic was under control and only returned to help teach her and Draco how to fight. They’d been scarce since then, claiming that they were lying low until Nancy felt more in control of herself. She knew that was a lie. Alex had been trying to speak with other covens. She was anxious to hear what he’d found out.

“Alex,” Draco said. “If you don’t tell us what is going on, Hermione’s going to have a heart attack.”

Alex grinned. “Can’t put anything past you, can I little one?”

“Not bloody likely,” Severus snorted, earning him a glare from his daughter.

“Well, I suppose I should tell you that I’ve been able to meet with the other covens, the Nightshade coven in particular. They all have tales of a stranger with long white hair and dead grey eyes running with the hunters. He apparently captures stray vampires and tries to get them to join the Dark Lord. Any denial and they are dust.”

“It’s as I thought then,” Draco sighed. “Father is doing his best to please the Dark Lord and build him a vampire army.”

“Yes,” Alex said sadly. “The newly turned subs will be quite susceptible to his whims. What makes the hunter’s plight slower is that they can’t tell the difference in dominant and submissive vampires. You need to snuff out the dominant in order to get a sub to agree. We all fight equally when confronted with a hunter.”

“Unless they’re like me,” Hermione said sadly. “Then they hide like a coward behind a bed.”

“Nonsense,” Draco snapped. “You were fighting poison for fuck’s sake. I’m sure you would have been right there with me whether I ordered you away our not if you had been capable of it.”

“I would have,” Hermione said tersely.

“There you have it then,” Melody said, eager to end the rapidly escalating battle. “Nature doesn’t matter when confronted with a threat. And as unsettling as this news is, we still have more problems to contend with.”

“Alas,” Dumbledore said softly. “Those other problems are why I called you all here today, or tonight rather. Harry stayed up until he viewed every one of the memories I had of Tom Riddle. He agrees that Hufflepuff’s cup is more than likely another Horcrux. He has agreed to work on Horace and obtain the missing memory.”

“What about the one inside him?” Hermione asked softly.

“That will remain a secret until the last possible moment. I do not wish to burden him with the knowledge of his impending death.”

“Or risk setting off a loose cannon,” Melody said bitterly.

“I am afraid that also plays a part,” Dumbledore said. “Regardless of what you think of me, I do care for the boy…perhaps too much.”

“We need to end this soon,” Melody said. “The longer we draw it out, the less he will trust us Albus… especially when Severus…well, I’m sure you understand.”

“I do,” Dumbledore sighed. “I believe that Riddle might have entrusted the cup to one of his most loyal. Seeing as how Lucius possessed the diary, I do not see that it is so far-fetched that his number one servant and General should have the other.”

“Bellatrix,” Draco said flatly. “It would make sense. She was always a rabid follower.”

“Emphasis on the rabid part,” Melody sneered, making everyone chuckle.

“She would never give up the location of the cup,” Severus frowned.

“Then perhaps it is time she met her match,” Dumbledore said, staring at Melody.

Melody looked agog. “What, me?”

Dumbledore smiled. “My dear, you are ten times the witch that Bellatrix ever was…and a master of disguise if I do say so myself. If anyone is strong enough to break her, it is you.”

“Y-you want me to break her?”

“Out of the question,” Severus shouted. “I will not have her put into such danger.”

“I agree,” Draco said quietly. “Bellatrix is not often seen outside. Only the lure of Potter himself would bring her out.”

“Not only that,” Dumbledore said, looking to Hermione.

“She’s not going,” Draco said darkly. “She’s been nearly killed too many times since the beginning of school, well, the end of last year actually. I will not lose her because she played the bait.”

“I’ll be the bait,” Melody breathed. “I’m the master of disguise, just like Albus said. I’ll assume Hermione’s identity, lure Bellatrix away from the others, and break her.”

“Over my dead body,” Severus hissed.

“It’s the only way,” Melody whispered, cowering a little under his stern glare.

“I won’t lose you.”

“You believe Bellatrix is better?

“I believe,” Severus growled, “that even though you are one hundred times the witch and woman she could ever be, I don’t want you to take the risk.”

“Why the bloody hell not?” Melody snapped. “You’ve almost given your life several times for the same fucking cause.”

“It’s not your cause!”

Melody stepped backwards like she’d been slapped. It wasn’t hard to tell that she was fighting back tears. She shook her head and turned.

“No, I suppose it isn’t. I’ll never be her.”

“Where are you going?” Severus growled when she started to walk out.

“Away,” Melody said with her back turned. “Since that’s all I’m good for.”

“Stop,” Severus bellowed.

Melody paused, wincing at the power of the order. “No, not this time Severus. You wish for me to stand back and watch you destroy yourself for a memory. I won’t do it, especially since my own children have joined in the fight. No, I’m going to release Sirius from his curse and then I’m leaving. I can’t stand it any longer.”

“You will not go,” Severus hissed.

“I will.” Melody’s voice quivered under the strain.

“You would leave me,” Severus whispered.

Melody turned, tears brimming in her eyes. “Severus Snape, I love you with all my heart, have since the day I first met you. I’ve stood by while you abused and belittled me, while you were confused, broken, hurt, scared, while you risked your very life to honor the memory of a dead woman whom I can’t compare with. I can’t do it any longer, not when I could do something to end this insanity. I’ll burden you no further. Good bye.”

Hermione backed into Draco, shaking in anger and sadness. Why couldn’t her father just say what he felt? As Melody’s speech spilled out, she felt her heart breaking in two. She couldn’t be without her mother. She couldn’t. It felt like her world was crumbling. Draco held her tightly, trying to remain strong for her while they watched Melody walk slowly toward the door.

In a burst of speed, Severus pinned Melody to the wall furthest from the door. His eyes burned into hers as she struggled to get away. He held her fast, not allowing her to move until she finally gave up. She collapsed, hanging limply by her wrists while sobbing. Severus shifted to hold her hands in one of his while he used the other to bring her face up to look at him.

“You’re right. You are no Lily Evans.” He paused, watching her visibly wilt under the words. “You’re so much more.” She looked up, startled. “That’s right. You’re more. I’ve been a fool, taking you for granted from the very start. You’ve been the one constant in my life, the one person I could trust completely. You gave me your whole being. It’s time I returned the favor.”

Melody furrowed her eyebrow. “Favor? You think I want a favor?”

He shook his head, kneeling in front of her. “Melody Lenore Bach, you’ve been my mate since we were seventeen. I know it hasn’t always been easy. In fact, I’ve been a downright bastard for most of it. But, I love you with my whole heart. I can’t live without you. I won’t. When the war is over and the despot that has claimed so many years of my devotion has been vanquished, I wish for you to bear my name. If it were possible, I’d want you to bear my children. Please say you’ll make my eternity worthwhile and consent to by my wife in front of the entire wizarding and muggle worlds.”

Melody was caught in between disbelief and amazement. Her face beamed through the tears but she could only manage a nod. Severus drew her into his chest, holding on as if she’d disappear any moment. Alex and Nancy were smiling, tears in their eyes at the display. Dumbledore looked misty eyed as well. Hermione jumped when hot tears simultaneously dripped down her arms and on her neck. She and Draco had both been crying. They knew how monumental of a step Severus had taken.

Dumbledore ushered them out of the room, the unspoken need for the couple to have some privacy clear. When the door was closed, he turned with a goofy grin on his face.

“Well, now I can die a truly happy man. When they settle this, let me know. I’ll try to help Harry along with Horace. For now, take a break. You all deserve it.”

The four vampires traveled to the main door. Alex and Nancy gave their grandchildren parting hugs and kisses before disappearing into the night. Hermione didn’t want to go back to her father’s rooms. As close as their family was, Severus and Melody needed to be alone. She couldn’t help the giddiness at knowing that everything was finally in the air. Well, maybe not everything, but at least her parents were sorted out. Her mate was a different story.

“How about we go to the ROR,” Draco suggested. “I have an idea.”

Hermione eagerly followed along, wondering what his idea was. It seemed ages since they’d had any private time together when she was actually able to enjoy it. Lying flat on her back for hours on end meditating was horrible. She watched Draco pace back and forth, a pensive look on his face before he opened the door and peeked inside. He drew back with a grin.

“It’s perfect. Come on.”

Hermione followed him inside, gasping at what she saw. It was beautiful. They were on a mountain top, overlooking some sort of stone ruins. They looked familiar, like something out of one of her tomes. There was no one about, just them and nature.

“Where are we?”

“Machu Picchu, Peru,” Draco said softly. “I saw it in a book once. I had thought, once the war was over, that I would travel. I even made a list of all the great wonders of the world.”

“It’s lovely,” Hermione sighed, leaning into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. “So peaceful and green. You can see the old ruins; imagine what life was like back then.”

Draco breathed in a lungful of air. “I imagine they didn’t have to bow to a madman.”

“Oh, there were plenty of madmen in ancient times,” Hermione said, only half joking. “But they left behind such wondrous things. I hope that one day we will too.”

“You’re forgetting one thing love,” Draco said sadly. “We’ll never leave earth.”

Hermione was struck by that statement. Draco was right. They’d never leave earth, never grow old, pass on, leave a legacy. They would always be stagnant, never changing. She would have to watch her friends die of old age, stand aside while their children and their children’s children inherited the earth. It was a tragic thought.

Draco held her closer. “It’s quite sobering and depressing, isn’t it? But I was hoping that we would have each other.”

“Always,” she sighed.

“You’ll probably be tired of me after the first century.”

She laughed. “If it isn’t the other way around.”

“Never. We get on too well together.”

She gave him a sly look. “I don’t know. Sex is bound to get old by then.”

Draco laughed. “Sex never gets old. Allow me to demonstrate.”

Hermione stopped breathing for a second as Draco swept her into his arms and headed for one of the stone walls. With a sexy grin, he laid her face down on the top, quickly stripping her of her skirt and knickers. He buried his face in her folds, making her squeal with delight. The combination of the rough stone and his silky tongue doing delicious things to her core was too much. She came hard and fast, loving the moment. Maybe sex wouldn’t get old after all.

“Changed your mind?” he asked against her pussy lips, making her writhe from the gentle tickle.

“M-maybe.”

“Maybe? Looks like I’ll have to work a little harder.” He flipped her over, climbing on top of her and kissing her slowly. “We haven’t even tried all the positions yet.”

“D-do y-you plan on going through the Karma Sutra?” she panted.

“And more,” Draco breathed, freeing his cock and rubbing it up and down her dripping folds. “By the time a century rolls around, I hope to conquer every orifice of your delectable body.”

“E-every one?”

Draco smirked and slid home. He punctuated each word with a thrust. “Every. Last. One.”

“I-I don’t know about that.”

“Shhh,” he soothed, nipping at her collar bone as he relieved her of the last of her clothing. “We’ll go slow and you’ll love it.”

“Not likely,” she growled, ripping his clothes off of him to get to his delicious skin.

“You didn’t think you’d like spanking either.”

She didn’t want to go there so she decided to change the subject. “Shut up and fuck me.”

“As my lady wishes.”

Hermione was lost to Draco’s power and forgot the time. He plundered her body, fucking her across the walls of Machu Picchu as the sun passed overhead. She could hear the sounds of animals but no people, the ROR’s way of giving them privacy. She probably lost tons of skin as they scraped along the walls but hardly cared. The pain blended with pleasure and had her crying out over and over. She lost track of how many times she’d come. Draco had come several times as well, but as vampires they didn’t have to worry about stamina anymore. It was probably her favorite part.

Later, they collapsed in a heap on an old stone stairway that was grown over with grass. They were content to lay there entangled in one another and soak up the sights and sounds of the area. It was so serene, so different from the day to day grind at Hogwarts.

“I think we should travel,” Hermione said finally. “We could see everything and it isn’t as if we need money for food or shelter. We don’t need it. Anything we do need we can conjure. We do have magic after all.”

Draco quirked an eyebrow and rolled over on his side to face her. “Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?”

She rolled her eyes. “Just because I like to study doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy myself. Besides, it would be educational as well.”

Draco smirked. “Ah, so it is about knowledge.”

“Oh shut it you. I just, it would be fascinating, don’t you think?”

“It would. Where would you like to go?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Giza to study the ancient pyramids or perhaps Athens. There’s so much history out there to soak in, so many beautiful places to visit. We could travel for years and not see it all.”

Draco smiled at her. “After this is over, we’ll have all the time in the world.”

“Alex told me about his travels,” Hermione said thoughtfully. “He’s gone to a great many places. He said the world was beautiful but that it was a lonely experience.”

Draco shrugged. “Then we’ll have each other to share it with.”

They laid there for a long while, imagining their life together after the war. It was full of possibilities and sadness. Suddenly, the room shuddered and the surroundings disappeared, leaving only the vampires and their clothing in a pile in front of them. They dressed in a hurry, not understanding what was going on.

“Come on you fucking coward,” they heard Melody snap.

“I’m not a coward,” Sirius answered and barged into the room.

They raced to the corner, turning into shadows to avoid being seen. Surely Melody knew they were there. Why had the room admitted the arguing couple?

“Hurry up damn it or Severus will skewer us both.”

“I’m coming,” Sirius snapped and shut the door behind them.

“You’re the one that wanted to talk,” Melody huffed. “Get on with it.”

Sirius ran a hand through his shaggy hair and paced around the room. The hidden couple was still, watching the Gryffindor pace like a caged tiger. Melody looked over in their direction, giving a barely perceptible nod. That answered that question. She knew they were there. Maybe the room deemed Sirius’s need greater than their own.

“I’ve been having nightmares,” Sirius started.

Melody crossed her arms, looking rather put out. “Sounds like a personal problem to me.”

“They are about you.”

“I’m touched.”

“Stop it,” Sirius yelled. “Stop acting like you didn’t curse me and aren’t affected by me.”

Melody gave an incredulous laugh. “You have no effect on me Sirius Black. You stopped having any pull over me when you tossed me aside like garbage.”

“So you went for the greasy git who did the same?”

“It’s complicated,” Melody sighed.

“You’re father really is a vampire, isn’t he?”

“Yes,” Melody said simply. “It’s not as if it is a big secret. The fangs do give it away.”

Sirius turned sharply. “How long has he been one?”

Melody snorted. “A very long time.”

“He was a vampire when you were conceived.”

“Not exactly.”

“You have never been human.”

“Not exactly,” Melody sighed. “Are we going to do this all night?”

“In my dreams,” Sirius said quietly. “You were not human and not vampire. You slept with me only because your instincts thought you should be.”

Melody pursed her lips, trying to control her temper. “That about sums it up.”

“You were pregnant.”

Melody’s tough exterior was starting to crumble. “I told you that in school you idiot and you told me to take care of it…so I did.”

“You really tried to kill yourself.”

“My life was forfeit at that point. You have no idea what I was up against once I slept with you but I ignored it like a moron. I was doomed after that night…but then I learned I was pregnant. Well, living any longer was futile.”

“You poisoned yourself…and then…then the dreams sort of got hung up. All I can see is you dying. But you’re here.”

“You want to know what happened?” Melody asked, her breathing shallow. Sirius nodded warily. “Severus Snape happened. He gave me the antidote that I was certain no one in school had. He couldn’t save the child, didn’t even know I was pregnant, but he saved me. He refused to let me alone after that because he knew I would try it again. He wouldn’t let me die, not while he could do something about it. You want to know why I’m not dead, why I’m with Severus? He saved my life and I gave him mine. That’s all you need to know.”

Sirius nodded, his eyes clouded with emotions. “I-you saved mine as well.”

“What are you talking about?” Melody’s voice was higher than normal.

“I know who pulled me out of the veil,” Sirius said quietly. “I went along with Dumbledore’s account of my miraculous escape but I knew better. You’ve always smelled the same, like candy floss.”

“Y-You can’t tell anyone,” Melody whispered. “Please.”

Sirius captured her hand, rubbing it thoughtfully, ignoring the way Melody squirmed at his touch. “I haven’t,” he breathed. “And I won’t. I…I didn’t understand what you had to face, what you were avoiding. Your hands are warm but you are even less human now, aren’t you?”

She shrugged, avoiding the question. “Doesn’t matter, does it? I’m standing here.”

He frowned. “You obviously don’t want to talk about it, but does Snivellous know?”

“Don’t call him that,” Melody growled. “And of course he knows you jack ass. He doesn’t hold it against me. He understood, watched over me as I tried to adjust. You’ll never have a clue.”

“Sorry,” Sirius said hastily. “I just… look, I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry for what I caused. It was wrong of me and petty. Back then, it was a matter of pride, to take Sniv-em- Snape’s girl. I didn’t even think about how you would feel. I regret my actions and I am apologizing to you now. It might be late, but I figure I owe you that much. That’s…that’s all I wanted to say.”

With that, he turned and fled the room. Melody collapsed to her knees, holding herself tightly. She looked like that was the only thing holding her together. She didn’t even acknowledge that the room had turned back into stone ruins. The couple ran over to her, enveloping her in a hug. They rocked her back and forth until she quit shaking.

“You know,” Melody said after a while. “I’ve been waiting for almost twenty years for him to say that. I didn’t think it would take so much out of me.”

“Are you happy now?” Hermione asked.

“I’m…vindicated. But between that and what Sev did earlier…that was… wow.” She giggled. “I just, I still, it doesn’t seem real.”

“It is,” Hermione said firmly. “It’s real. He’s loved you for a long time Melody. He just had to realize it.”

Melody brushed a tear from her eye and laughed. “Well, I’m glad he did. To think, I was ready to leave.”

“About that,” Draco said. “Are you going to go through with it and lure Bellatrix out?”

“I am,” Melody said with a nod. “But I won’t be going alone. Sev insisted.”

“When does this happen?”

“All Hallows Eve. Until then, we rest, we train, and we enjoy each other.”

Draco smirked. “I take it you’ll be embarking on the enjoying each other part.”

Melody grinned. “You know it. Now, where are we?”

“Oh,” Draco said, glancing around. “Machu Picchu. Isn’t it great?”

“It’s amazing,” Melody breathed. “You two going to visit for real one day?”

“Hope to,” Draco said. “Here and more.”

“Well,” Melody said, drawing her finger over a few blades of grass. “I can’t think of a better way to spend eternity. I’ve been stuck in the dungeons and in Sev’s house so long I’ve almost forgotten what the outside world looks like. Traveling would be nice.”

“You could travel with us,” Hermione hedged.

Melody smiled. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“You wouldn’t be,” Draco said. “Family is the most important thing. Alex and Nancy can come along. Besides, I’m sure there’s enough space that we wouldn’t be in each other’s hair all the time.”

Melody nodded. “We can make a vacation out of it, something to look forward to after the war. It would be a dream come true, to drop the illusions and just be for once in our lives. Well, we best get a move on. Sev’s probably tearing down the hallways searching for me, if he hasn’t pummeled Sirius to death trying to get it out of him. I also heard Ron bemoaning the loss of Hermione’s brain from a mile away.”

“I am not helping him,” Hermione huffed. “If he didn’t do his homework, that’s his problem.”

Draco grinned and kissed her forehead. “That’s my girl.”

Hermione bid the two vampires goodbye and raced back to Gryffindor tower. Once she entered the common room, she knew she was in for it. Ron was scowling at her from his chair. His hands were covered in ink and there was a pile of wadded up papers in front of him. Harry was lying on the couch looking drained and stressed. Ginny was playing with her pygmy puff Arnold but her eyes held a sharp look. She had to be angry with the way that Dumbledore swept her out of the room without an explanation. And of course the fact that Hermione had been careful to avoid her probably didn’t sit well either.

“And where have you been off to all bloody night?” Ron asked grumpily. “It’s past curfew.”

Hermione bit back the sudden urge to tell him exactly what she’d been doing. Instead, she flopped down next to Harry and snuggled into him. She’d stuck fairly close to him since her convalescence. The vulnerability she’d felt that night hadn’t quite gone away and it unnerved her to the point of insecurity. Harry knew about it of course but he was too sweet to call her on it. Instead, he threw an arm around her and let her get comfortable.

“If you must know,” she said, “I was speaking with Professor Snape about some extra credit projects for DADA.”

Ron snorted. “Of course. Well, this potions essay has me baffled and Harry, the Half-Blood Prince’s protégé and Slughorn’s little darling, won’t help me. Will you help me with it?”

Ron’s request left a bitter taste in her mouth. “Why don’t you crack a book open and help yourself?”

“But you always help me,” Ron whined.

She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “And that’s probably why you aren’t as proficient in potions as you need to be. You’ll never learn anything if you don’t study for yourself instead of depending on me. What if I’m not here?”

“But you’re always here,” Ron said with a puzzled look.

She sighed, the thought of her run in with a hunter still haunting her. “Anything could happen, Ron. You need to learn to be independent.”

“What could possibly happen at Hogwarts?” Ron asked with a snort.

She shuddered, the hunter’s taunting lilt still fresh in her mind. “You never know.”

“Oh please,” Ron sniffed. “You never leave the library.”

“Drop it Ron!” Ginny snapped, seeing Hermione starting to draw in on herself. “Just do your own bleeding work for once in your life and leave her alone.”

“Why are you taking her side? You’re my sister!”

“And you’re being a bloody wanker!” Ginny spat back, standing up and offering a hand to Hermione. “Come on. I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

Hermione didn’t protest as Ginny pulled her up the stairs. She was confused by her sudden melancholy. It was as if Ron’s mention of her always being there made her realize how many times in the past month that she almost hadn’t made it. Draco’s vision of the future had been refreshing but now she wondered if they would live to see it.

“Spill,” Ginny said after she pulled her onto her bed. “You haven’t looked that sad and frightened since… well, since that hunt… Oh. Is that it? Are you afraid of them?”

“Of course not,” Hermione said defensively and then crumbled. “I’m terrified.”

“Hey, it’s okay. You were sick. I’m sure you would have kicked his arse in half the time that Malfoy took.”

“SHHH!” Hermione hissed. “The castle has ears everywhere. If you have to mention him, use his other name.”

“Fine then, Derik. Though, the way he protected you was… wow.”

Hermione smiled sadly. “I’m his mate. It’s instinct.”

“Drinking blood in an instinct. He was willing to die for you.”

“Any good mate would.”

“No. They wouldn’t,” Ginny said carefully. “I’ve read an awful lot about your lot lately. Mates might be in love, even soul mates, but the level of self-preservation is too much to warrant that kind of response. I mean, he was about to throw me and Harry behind that bed with you. The Ma- um- Derik I know wouldn’t have given two knuts for either of us.”

“He’s so much different than you think he is,” Hermione said with a soft smile. “He’s difficult to get to know but inside, inside he’s a beautiful person.”

Ginny cocked her head. “You’re in love with him.”

Hermione’s jaw dropped at the accusation but it struck her so clearly in that moment that she couldn’t protest. “Yes, I suppose I am.”

Ginny shook her head. “Not sure what you see in the git, but I’ll not begrudge you for it. But, love and all aside, you looked truly sad in the common room. I mean, like you knew you weren’t going to make it. That’s preposterous you know. You’ll outlive everyone on the earth.”

Hermione couldn’t hold herself together any longer. “But I’m so weak.”

“Bollocks,” Ginny snapped. “If you weren’t sick, you could have snapped that wanker in half.”

“What if I can’t next time,” Hermione whispered, ashamed that tears had started rolling down her eyes. “Oh Gods, what if I’m not good enough next time? What if I let everyone down? What if he dies? I couldn’t do this if he dies. There’s still too much to do. Oh Merlin.”

“Hey, hey calm down,” Ginny said a bit frantically, trying her best to soothe the now hysterical vampire. “You’re okay.”

“No I’m not,” Hermione squeaked. “I’m pathetic. He must have pitied me. That’s why he protected me.”

“No, that’s not it,” Ginny said, an odd look of bitter grapes on her face. “He loves you.”

“No he doesn’t,” Hermione sniffed. “He cares for me. I’m his mate. He wants me, has since before he was turned. But he doesn’t love me.”

“Are you really so bloody blind?” Ginny asked in disbelief. “Never mind, don’t answer that. Anyway, what is it with all this not good enough stuff anyway?”

“I haven’t come back once under my own power. Not once.”

“Come back from where? What are you talking about?”

“Can’t say,” Hermione sobbed, unable to calm down. She was quickly losing it.

“That’s it,” Ginny said. “I’m getting Harry. Maybe he can calm you down.”

Hermione tried to get a hold of herself while Ginny was away. It wasn’t working. She just felt so…so scared. It wasn’t a feeling she was used to. Sure, she had been terrified at the Ministry, under the penetrating gaze of the vampire who bit her in the forest. But she hadn’t felt completely and utterly helpless even then. She still had a will to fight, even with her mind in a foggy haze. Now she just wanted to hide. She couldn’t understand it. Ginny’s voice wafted up from the common room.

“Damn, I forgot Harry. You can’t get up to the girl’s dorm.”

“Can you get her down here?”

“She’s crying. I don’t think that’s something you want the entire common room seeing.”

“No, I suppose not. Well, there’s only one thing to do. I’m going to get Derik. He can probably get up there.”

No. Oh no. She couldn’t allow Draco to see her like this, so weak and helpless. She was certain she looked like a bloodstained mess. No. She had to get out of there. She stood on wobbly legs, surprised at how weak she felt. Something wasn’t right but her mind wouldn’t let her stop to analyze it. She frantically searched for her wand to spell her face clean so she could leave but it wasn’t anywhere. What was going on?

There was a scuffle downstairs but she couldn’t quite hear it. Her senses were dulled, her reaction time sluggish. What in the hell was happening? She tried to make a break for it but ran into something quite solid with an oof. Looking up, she blearily saw Derik’s face and squeaked, memories of a severed head filling her mind.

“Fuck, he was right,” Draco breathed, scooping her up.

“What’s wrong?” Harry asked.

“How did you get up here?” Hermione asked impulsively.

“I brought him,” Draco said gruffly. “We’ve got to get you to Severus.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Harry demanded.

“Look, there isn’t time to explain. She’s only going to get worse. Just…just meet us down there and we’ll talk.”

Hermione felt a gentle wash of magic fall over her, the wetness dripping down her cheeks fading. She felt okay in Draco’s arms, not great, but not like she was about to fall apart either. There was definitely something wrong. She didn’t have the strength to ask though. It wasn’t until she was laid out on her father’s bed… again… that she found out.

“It’s definitely a residual of the poison,” Severus muttered as he waved his wand around her body. “It was designed with a delayed reaction to torment if the person actually survived. I can counteract it, but it will take me a few moments.”

“Poison?” Harry and Ginny asked in unison.

Draco sighed. “Potter, do you trust the Weaselette with your lessons?”

Harry looked at Ginny for a few moments before nodding. “You can’t tell anyone what you’ve heard, Gin.”

“Okay,” Ginny said with a frown.

Draco sat on the bed and drew Hermione into his lap. “We’ve been hunting Horcruxes since the start of term Potter.”

“No,” Harry breathed.

“What are they?” Ginny demanded.

Harry turned, his face the color of chalk. “You remember how Riddle’s diary possessed you?”

“Of course,” Ginny snorted. “I even remember telling you that you weren’t possessed last year because I’d experienced it first-hand.”

“Right,” Harry said, reddening a little. “Well, it was because the diary contained a piece of his soul.”

“That’s impossible!”

“Afraid not Miss Weasley,” Melody sighed and sat down across the room. “There is an absolutely horrifying ritual that one can use to split the soul. It involves killing someone to fracture said soul and an object, usually inanimate. The diary latched onto you, used your life force to power it. There are others like it and we’ve managed to find three others so far. Harry destroyed them early Monday morning.”

“But what do they have to do with Hermione?” Harry asked with a deep frown.

Draco scoffed. “Do you honestly thing that the Dark Lord didn’t have protections around his precious artifacts. That locket we had you open, it was surrounded by a lake filled with Inferi on a pedestal in a basin full of poison.”

“What? You let her drink it?” Harry asked in outrage.

“It was the only way,” Hermione said as loud as she could manage. “The poison made me see…horrible things. I would have stopped drinking it if I had my own way. They could all command me to drink and… well, I haven’t seen nearly as many horrors as they had. I also can’t cast fiendfyre to get away from Inferi. It would have been a weak link anyway.”

“I thought vampires weren’t affected by poison,” Ginny breathed.

“They don’t die from it,” Severus cut in, entering the room with a dozen or so glass vials and a steaming cauldron full of a noxious smelling potion. “They are merely very weak. Unfortunately, this poison is more complex than most. She’ll recover just fine. I just didn’t remember the after effects. I do apologize for this Hermione.”

She gave her father a weak smile. “It’s okay. Just… I hate feeling like this.”

“Well, best start drinking,” Severus said much more gently than he normally would have in front of present company. “And try not to think about what it is you’re ingesting.”

Hermione obeyed, holding her breath and her nose so she couldn’t identify the gruesome concoctions that tasted worse than they apparently smelled. By the time she was done drinking, she felt much better, more herself. She was still a little weak but that was easily taken care of with a few blood pellets. They would have to feed the next night. It would be far too late to hunt when she finished recovering.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were hunting them?” Harry asked, hurt clear in his eyes.

“I didn’t want to worry you,” Hermione said softly. “I originally became a vampire to help you Harry. I would have begged for death otherwise.” Draco held her a little tighter at that admittance. “But I’m glad I’m here now. Besides, the sooner this madness is over, the sooner we can get back to a normal life… whatever that is. I’ve heard it’s amazing.”

Harry chuckled. “Yeah, I’m not sure we’ll ever be normal, but it would be nice not to be hunted all the time. Oh, gosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to mention the hun-, um, that.”

She smiled at him. “It’s okay. It’s still a bit of a sore spot, but I’m not hysterical anymore.”

“So you aren’t,” Harry said. “We’d probably better go. McGonagall’s likely to have kittens when she finds out that not only were boys in the girl’s dorms, but that you were carried out by one as well.”

“Give me a moment Potter,” Severus said quietly. “I’ll smooth out her ruffled fur and then you can be on your way.”

Harry gave him an odd look and waited until he left the room before he spoke. “Who is polyjuiced as Snape today?”

Melody giggled. “It’s amazing how fast he forgets to be a snarky git when he’s distracted.”

“You were going to run,” Draco said so quietly that Harry couldn’t hear it. Melody did, but continued to engage Harry and Ginny in witty banter about the bat of the dungeon’s sudden personality transplant.

“I didn’t want you to see me like that,” she breathed.

Draco shook his head and dropped a kiss on her shoulder. “Don’t think like that. Please? I know I would normally berate you for being weak, but I’m different now. Haven’t I proven that?”

“I know but… you’re so strong… and I’ve been so weak.”

“Weak?” Draco snapped, gaining everyone’s attention. He paid no mind as he barged on. “You ripped a bloody vampire’s head off to save me! You had your fucking guts ripped out. You took a curse that could destroy a lesser vampire. You willingly drank poison for the love of Merlin! And, might I mention, healing me when you couldn’t even sit up on your own. How in the deepest level of hell do you figure that you’re weak?”

Every person in the room was staring at her.

“I broke a rule.”

“No crying is a guideline to keep your nature a secret,” Severus snapped. “It is not a weakness. I will hear no more of his nonsense. Potter, McGonagall is appeased for the moment but you two better get your arses back there in two minutes. She’s probably got her watch out now and will no doubt administer detention if you are a second late.”

Harry and Ginny waved to Hermione before shooting at the door at a dead run. McGonagall might be lenient with her Gryffindors, but she wouldn’t hesitate to give them detention with Filch for a minor infraction.

“Now,” Draco breathed. “You had better listen to me Hermione Granger. I don’t want you to ever think of yourself as weak ever again. You are the strongest, bravest, most loyal and courageous girl I’ve ever met. I bloody well fancy myself in love with you and I sincerely hope you’ll allow me time to prove it.”

Hermione couldn’t stop the tears tracking down her face. He loved her. He really loved her. She smiled and snugged into his chest, her heart full to bursting. Memories of their very trying year were already evaporating. She settled in to allow the cure to finish working.

“I love you too Draco.”

AN: You know, I honestly didn't expect everyone to profess their love but they all ganged up on me and beat me with their wands. Honest! Maybe it's all that tension from Locked In spilling over. So, we'll deem this the sappy chapter. As always, thanks to everyone who reviewed. I love them all. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time...love you guys.
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Beyond the Pale