Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Beyond the Pale	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 81375 -:- 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
- 28
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- 30
“May I have your attention please?”

Every eye in the Great Hall was drawn to the front where Headmaster Dumbledore stood. He looked a little better than he normally did, not as tired. Hermione knew it was because Melody had convinced him to take an immunity boosting potion that gave him some strength back. It wouldn’t stop the curse, but it would keep him stronger until the end. They needed him sharp if he was going to help them figure the rest of this out.

“I have a few announcements to make.”

“What’s he on about now?” Ron asked around a mouthful of food.

Hermione resisted the urge to hex his mouth shut. It was bad enough not to be able to eat food but Ron’s horrid table manners were getting on her nerves. Actually, lots of things were getting on her nerves now and she was pretty sure it was because of their upcoming mission.

“Why don’t you shut your gob and listen?” Ginny hissed at her brother, making him glare but fall silent.

“It has come to my attention that a great many of our students are feeling melancholy this year. Therefore, in order to give you the opportunity for a break and some fun, the staff has agreed to host a Halloween Ball.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding!” Seamus said with wide eyes.

Some of the Gryffindor girls squealed in excitement, speaking hurriedly about dresses and hair and makeup and dates. Chatter broke out across the hall. Some students were delighted, some indifferent, and others groaned because they knew they’d be going alone. This continued on for several minutes before Dumbledore lifted his hands and signaled for everyone to quiet down.

“Now then, I am sure that you are all anxious to begin your planning, seeing as how Halloween is a mere two weeks away. The party is open to students of all years. However, there will be staggering curfews. First through fourth years will retire at ten, fifth through seventh will be allowed to stay until midnight. We thought in the tradition of the holiday that everyone could come in masquerade costumes. For those of you unable to go to Hogsmeade to procure the proper attire, please feel free to ask for your Professors’ help in transfiguring something appropriate. Prefects and Heads, please come see me after dinner for party preparations. Enjoy.”

The Headmaster sat down, a large smile playing on his face while the entire hall went up in chatter. Hermione had to resist the urge to plug her ears. Love it or hate it, the Halloween Ball was shaping up to be one spectacular event. It would also provide the perfect cover for four particular vampires to slip away unnoticed. Yes, masquerade was a very nice cover.

“Can you believe it?” Lavender gushed. “We haven’t had a party since the Yule Ball fourth year.”

“Yeah,” Ron piped up unexpectedly. He looked in Hermione’s direction. “You know Mione, Krum isn’t here to take you this year.”

Hermione gulped, afraid that he might very well ask her out this time. She had to head him off. “I’m aware of that Ronald. However, I do not need a date. I will be going stag.”

“You can’t be serious,” Parvati said.

“I am,” Hermione said promptly, noticing Cormac McLaggen staring at her from the corner of her eye. “Dead serious. I’ll hex anyone who asks.”

Harry frowned at her. He wasn’t buying her act at all. Of course, he knew she was with Draco and couldn’t go with anyone else, but she was normally not this adamant about things like this. She sighed, knowing he’d corner her soon. Fortunately, her declaration was taken at face value from everyone else. She was distraught to see more than two pair of eyes looking disappointed at her announcement.

Just as she predicted, Harry pulled her into the first abandoned classroom he could find after dinner. She let him, knowing he’d keep at her if she didn’t give in at some point. Once she placed the necessary charms in place to keep their conversation private, she waited until Harry broke.

“What’s the deal Hermione? You’ve never taken a stance against dating before. I mean, I know that you and Malfoy are together. But don’t you think declaring that you’ll hex someone for asking is taking it a bit too far? Everyone noticed. Don’t think they didn’t.”

“I know they did,” she sighed and plopped down on the desk. “But I swear Ron was about to ask me out and Draco would rip him limb from limb for even asking.”

“You could have politely declined. Besides, Malfoy needs to keep his possessiveness under control.”

“It is under control,” she growled. “And if it was just Ron, I wouldn’t have made such a large deal about it. However, Cormac was practically drooling on the table while staring at me. Draco’s patience only goes so far and his mate instincts trump his good sense a fair amount of the time. Once I said that, I noticed a bunch of boys looked disappointed.”

“Of course they were,” Harry snorted. “They’ve all had their eyes on you since fourth year.”

“Bollocks!”

“No. It’s true. Besides, Melody might have glamoured you to look like your old self, but don’t think others haven’t noticed the subtle changes this month.”

Hermione rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I was hoping no one had. Melody’s been trying to wean both me and Draco off the glamours. If we do it slowly, others won’t be so startled at the changes, especially to Draco’s height.”

Harry shook his head, a slight smile on his face. “You were a knock out before Hermione.”

“Stop that,” she chided. She paused for a moment, realizing that Draco was close by. She could smell him. She shook herself out of her musings. “I already have a mate. I don’t need my ego stroked.”

“I’m not stroking your ego. I’m telling the truth. If I have to hear one more guy wanking with your name on his lips, I’ll scream.”

Hermione groaned. “Harry Potter, I could have gone my entire life without hearing that.”

“Me too,” Draco said, flickering in the room.

“How in the bloody hell did you get in here?” Harry said, clutching his heart with one hand, his wand at the ready in the other.

“You locked and silenced the door, you didn’t seal it.”

“Oh shit,” Harry breathed.”

“It’s okay Harry,” Hermione said as Draco sat beside her. “I smelled him coming. Besides, only a shadow can fit under the door.”

“Or extendable ears,” Harry muttered.

“Nope,” Hermione said happily. “I did learn something at Grimmauld Place. I begged Remus to teach me that sealing spell. It’s a gem.”

“Well, I’ll think twice about privacy from now on,” Harry muttered and then shook his head. “There’s something else going on, isn’t there? Dumbledore doesn’t just decide to throw balls on a whim.”

“Doesn’t he?” Draco asked with a quirked eyebrow.

Harry narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on?”

Hermione sighed and snuggled into Draco’s arms. “We’re going on another mission.”

“For what?”

“To find another Horcrux, of course,” Draco huffed.

“I want to come,” Harry growled.

“Absolutely not!” Hermione snapped. “It’s dangerous enough as it is.”

“Where are you going?”

“That’s none of your business, Potter,” Draco said carefully. “All you need to know is that in order to garner the location of Hufflepuff’s cup, Melody is going to go into the snake’s pit. We’re not sure she’ll make it out alive.”

“Then why send her at all?” Harry asked in horror. “Give her some help.”

“We’ll help her all we can,” Draco said. “However, we’re certain that only the Dark Lord and one other person know where the cup is… and they won’t easily give the location up.”

“Who is the other person?” Harry whispered.

“Bellatrix,” Hermione said quietly, watching the rage and pain flash across Harry’s eyes and he remembered Sirius slipping into the veil.

“That’s a death trap.”

“Melody knows it,” Draco said. “We’re all beside ourselves because of it. However, Melody is the only one skilled enough to try and get the information from her.”

“What about Snape?”

“If he blows his cover, it’ll be over,” Hermione said sadly. “Trust us; he’d go in a hundred times before he allowed her to if his hands weren’t tied. He’s sick over the thought of it.”

“He’s been a right bastard lately, that’s for sure,” Harry said dryly. “I figured he was just making up for his lapse of snarkiness the night you needed that antidote.”

“Well, that too,” Hermione chuckled. “But mostly he’s worried.”

Harry’s eyes narrowed. “He’s her mate, isn’t he?”

“Are you still on about that Potter?” Draco said, trying to throw Harry off the scent.

“I’m not stupid,” Harry said darkly. “Why won’t you tell me if Snape is a vampire?”

“He’s not,” Draco said slowly. “But if he were, why should we tell you Potter? You’d go blabbing it about the first time he pissed you off. I’m guessing that would only be a day or so. Do you have any idea what the Dark Lord would do to him if he found out something like that?”

“Voldemort is building a vampire army. I should think he’d be happy.”

Draco barked a laugh. “So naive. He’s building a vampire army of slaves Potter. Creatures are looked down upon. Only purebloods and half-bloods that have renounced their muggle heritage are considered to be worthy enough to be official Death Eaters. Greyback isn’t allowed to bear the Dark Mark because he is a werewolf and undeserving of such an honor.” Draco’s face screwed up at the last word. He hardly thought being branded was an honor.

“Greyback only follows because he has free reign to bite whomever he wishes and the Dark Lord gains a valuable and terrifying weapon in his army. I’d be dust if he ever found out about my nature, especially since I am a dominant, not a submissive. Snape is a natural dominant, so much so that even I have found it necessary to heed his commands. What do you think the Dark Lord would do if he found out that his trusted servant was not only stronger than he was magically and physically, but in dominance and intelligence as well?”

“Snape would be marked for death,” Harry said quietly.

“Exactly,” Draco snapped. “So, therefore, we wouldn’t tell you if Severus was Merlin’s incarnate himself. It’s too dangerous.”

“I know about you though,” Harry protested.

Draco nodded. “My life belongs with Hermione. You know that. You know that any move you make against me will affect her as well. Therefore, I trust that you’ll keep this a secret, if only to protect your friend. Severus does not have that luxury. His reasons for his stance in this war and protecting you are his own. There’s nothing motivating you to keep your mouth shut.”

“I know it would hurt Hermione,” Harry said. “Don’t think I don’t see the way you both look at him, like he was your bloody father or something.”

“He’s a very dear friend,” Draco said softly. “And we both owe him our lives Potter. Be careful how you speak of him.”

Harry snapped his mouth shut to keep from saying something he’d most likely regret. Instead, he changed the subject. “So Melody is going to find Bellatrix and what, trick her into telling?”

“More like pry the information from her cold and hopefully dead fingers,” Draco said.

“She’s going to kill her?”

“I certainly hope so,” Draco sneered. “No one deserves it more.”

Harry pursed his lips, obviously agreeing but not wanting to say so out loud. “How is Melody so skilled?”

“She’s a bloody vampire, isn’t she?” Draco half laughed. “Besides, Snape’s taught her everything he knows about occlumency and legilimency and fighting and spells. Between the thrall and her magic and her superior strength, she should be able to easily overpower Bellatrix.”

“How is she going to get closer to her though?”

“Bait,” Hermione cut it, continuing quickly before Harry could interrupt. “She’s going to polyjuice herself as me and lure Bellatrix out in the hopes of capturing your best friend.”

“Wouldn’t she bring reinforcements?”

“Not if she thought she could take Hermione in by herself. She’d get all the glory and all the Dark Lord’s attention. Bella is all about gaining the Dark Lord’s favor. Now, if you were to be spotted there as well, then there would be an entire squadron of Death Eaters popping in to say hello. So you see, this is strictly a solo mission.”

“But all of you are going.”

“We’ll be waiting in the shadows,” Hermione said. “Just in case.”

“And the ball is an excuse to slip out of the castle without being noticed,” Harry sighed.

“And a good excuse for Hermione to leave for another reason as well,” Draco added. “You see, I have it on good authority that Granger here has been reading up on rare potions, decidedly dark ones that enhance the drinker’s magic and increase their luck. In her Gryffindor heart, she believes that this is the ticket to defeating You-Know-Who. This particular ingredient that she needs to gather can only be harvested on All Hallow’s Eve at the stroke of midnight. It can only be found in one particular spot in the world. Granger has also been spotted practicing her flying skills. I’m sure everyone agrees that flying is her least favorite thing to do.”

“Unless they’ve seen her flying through the air on nothing or racing off on a motorbike,” Harry said with a smirk making Hermione blush. “So, you’ve slipped someone this knowledge.”

“I’ve written a letter to my mother,” Draco said, “Which I know has been intercepted by Bella. I’ve already gotten confirmation of it since I spelled the letter to inform me of its destination. It never reached my mother but it has been read. Only a Black could read it and Sirius and Andromeda have already confirmed that it isn’t them.”

“I thought your family didn’t speak with Andromeda.”

“We don’t,” Draco said sadly. “But Sirius does. Anyway, the only other person who could have read it is Bellatrix. Seeing as how she sent me a prying letter a few days ago, I’m certain she’s taken the bait. I just need to drop a few more hints and she’s ours.”

“So Bellatrix will go to this spot and wait to ambush Melody who will look like Hermione.”

“And then the tables turn,” Hermione said. “Once we get the information, we’ll obliviate her and be on our way.”

“And the other option?”

“Death.” The finality in Draco’s voice made the Gryffindors shiver.

“And once you get the location of the cup?”

“If it’s somewhere accessible, we’ll go straight away,” Draco said. “If not, we’ll come back to plan a raid on wherever it is.”

“Well, I hope it works,” Harry said, obviously not happy about the fact that there would be another mission without his participation. “I don’t want to see anyone else take a hex for me.”

“Not if we can help it, Potter.”

“Can you cover for us Harry?”

Harry gave her a sad smile. “Of course. If that’s all you’ll allow me to do.”

“Oh Harry,” Hermione sighed and pulled him into a hug. “Sometimes, you have to let others do the work. You’ve fought him almost alone so far. Let us take it from here for a while.”

Harry nodded again. “You’ll tell me when you have it?”

“You’ll be the first to know,” Hermione assured him. “Now Draco and I have to get to the prefects’ meeting. See you later?”

Harry nodded and let himself out the door.

“Think he’ll try to interfere?” Draco asked.

“Not if we give him another task,” Hermione said. “One involving his already predetermined one.”

“Ah, so we sic him on the old Walrus.”

“Absolutely.”

“Think he’ll get it?”

Hermione nodded. “If there is one thing I’ve learned about Harry Potter, it’s that he won’t stop until he’s accomplished his mission.”

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Hermione was about two seconds from biting everyone in the room. She’d listened to the prefects and the Head Girl and Boy bicker about everything from decorations to refreshments. They’d pleaded for later curfew, begged for the mask requirement to be dropped, and whined that they couldn’t have more than one Hogsmeade weekend. She just wanted them to shut the hell up but they’d continued on for an hour. And when she’d finally been able to go back to her dorm, she was bombarded with it again.

“Oh, why do we have to wear masks?” Lavender pouted for the 27^th time. Hermione knew. She’d counted.

“Because that is what the Headmaster wanted,” Ginny sighed, eyeing Hermione carefully. She mouthed ‘are you okay’ when no one else was looking at her.

Hermione shook her head and stalked to the far end of the room where there was a mirror set up. She needed to replace the charm on it anyway. Ginny tiptoed up beside her. She wasn’t being that obvious, was she?

“Hey,” Ginny said cautiously.

“It’s really not you Gin,” Hermione sighed and flicked her wand at the mirror, renewing the charm that allowed her to see her reflection. “I’m just tired of the entire ordeal. I had to listen to this for an hour only to hear it again.”

Ginny cocked her head and stared at the mirror for a second. “So that’s how you do it. Anyway, they’re all just excited and, well, you know how they are.”

“Oh I do,” Hermione snorted. “I’ve only lived with them for six years.”

Ginny giggled. “Too right.”

“Hermione, why did you practically scream you were going stag?” Fay Dunbar called from across the room.

“Because I am,” Hermione said through gritted teeth. “And I’d rather make that quite clear from the very start than have to repeat myself should more than one person ask me to go.”

“You’re so sure that everyone in this school is going to be vying for your attention then?” Lavender sneered.

“Better safe than sorry,” Hermione managed to say in a light tone. Keeping her fangs in her mouth was becoming difficult.

“Why would that make you sorry?” Tabitha McCreedy asked with wide eyes.

She was normally a quiet girl, one Hermione happened to like. She wasn’t really into quidditch but tolerated it because Fay did. She often sat in the stands with Hermione and kept her company during practice. However, she was starting to grate on Hermione’s nerves.

“Because it would,” Hermione snapped, turning quickly when she felt her anger flare up. Her eyes would probably be glowing about now.

“Hey, lay off you lot,” Ginny chided. “She can do whatever she wants. Besides Lavender, you’re just jealous because you like my brother and he hasn’t given you the time of day.”

“I am not!” Lavender screeched, making Hermione wince.

“Uh huh,” Ginny said with an exaggerated eye roll. “And you don’t give him goo-goo eyes or giggle stupidly when he looks at you or stare at him from afar either I suppose?”

Lavender spluttered for a few moments until she finally cracked, glaring at Ginny. “Fine, I like him but he’s too bloody busy fawning over her to notice.”

Hermione sighed when Lavender pointed her direction. She was afraid of that. Maybe she could fix it though. She ran through her options and selected the most logical one, as always. She just hoped Lavender took the challenge.

“Why don’t you go after him then?”

“What?” Lavender’s eyes had practically bugged out of her head.

“I didn’t stutter. Ron is about as thick as a brick and has the emotional range of a teaspoon. You’ll have to beat him about the head to get him to notice you.”

“Wait,” Parvati said through narrowed eyes. “You mean that you and Ron aren’t, um, like that?”

“Ron and I are friends,” Hermione said firmly. “And that is all that we will ever be.” If he ever accepted her for what she was that is. She didn’t say that aloud though.

“And you wouldn’t care if, I, um-“

“Lavender,” Hermione said tersely, quickly losing patience. “As long as you treat Ron decently and you don’t hurt him, you may date him. However, it has to be on his terms. I will not allow you to slip him a love potion.”

“I would never!”

“Then why do you have three in your trunk?” Hermione growled.

“I-um- how did you know that?”

Hermione frowned. She could smell them but she couldn’t very well tell Lavender that. “I saw them one morning while you were getting ready.”

“You really don’t want a date for this ball, do you?” Fay asked softly.

“Not in the slightest. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go to the library so I can put the finishing touches on my Transfiguration paper and start that research essay for DADA.”

The girls waved goodbye, each wearing a gob smacked look as they watched Hermione grab her bag and flounce out the door. Ginny was hot on her heels, not wanting to be trapped in the room full of sixth years. They’d surely corner her and demand she tell them what had gotten into Hermione Granger.

“Sorry Gin,” Hermione muttered as she walked to the library. “I just couldn’t take it anymore. I was afraid I was about to attack them.”

“Are you very hungry then?”

“Not really, though Tabitha does smell delightful despite her magic and I’m craving a bit of chocolate.”

“When did you eat last?”

“A few days ago,” Hermione sighed. “I’m trying to wean myself off of frequent feedings but I’m afraid I’m not old enough to go a full week yet. I’m not sure I’ll ever be.”

“Why not?” Ginny asked.

Hermione paused, trying to scrape together a plausible explanation for why she had to eat more frequently than normal vampires. The fact that she wasn’t one would undoubtedly remain a secret forever. Then again, Ginny would probably understand. And back on the other side of things, Ginny didn’t have a natural defense against Voldemort picking around in her brain like Harry did. She’d proven that. Maybe she wouldn’t be averse to taking occlumency lessons. She knew too much as it was. Yes, she’d bring that up to her father later. For now, she needed an explanation.

“Well, my potion regimen really takes it out of me.”

“Oh,” Ginny said, a look of understanding on her face. “Could you go that long if you, um, didn’t come out during the day or handle silver?”

“Maybe,” Hermione allowed. “But I much prefer to stroll during the day. The colors are so much more brilliant and I’m not sure I could handle not being able to brew anymore.”

Ginny giggled. “Ever the bookworm.”

“That will never change,” Hermione said with a smile. She flicked her head to the side, catching a glimpse of a shadow. A deep breath confirmed that it was Draco. “Hey Gin, I’m sorry to cut this short but I have to go.”

“Oh.” Ginny’s face fell. “Well, don’t be a stranger, okay?”

“Hey, after this is all over, we’ll have a nice long chat. I’ll have all the time in the world.”

Ginny nodded. “You will at that. Night Hermione.” She paused, grinning mischievously. “Night Derik!”

“Weaslette,” Draco drawled, coming out of his shadow state as Derik.

Ginny jumped and shook her head. “You’d think I’d be used to that by now. Anyway, I’ll keep Ron from the map tonight, shall I?”

“Better yet,” Hermione said, “Push him towards Lavender. She should keep him busy.”

Ginny turned positively green. “I’m not sure I could stomach that but I’ll see what I can do.” She waved and disappeared down the hall.

“So Brown?” Draco asked, leading her down towards the dungeons.

Hermione nodded. “She fancies him and I figure she can keep Ron’s attention off of me.”

“What about that prat McLaggen?”

“Noticed that did you?”

“Notice?” Draco said with a look of disgust. “It took everything I had to keep my seat. I could smell his intentions from across the room. It’s bloody distracting when every guy at this school wants a go at you.”

“You’re exaggerating,” Hermione chided.

“Hardly,” Draco sighed. “Why are you so blind to how others perceive you?”

Hermione looked up at him and smiled. “Because I love you and they don’t register.”

Draco beamed at her. “I love you too. Now, what would you like to do tonight?”

“Well,” she hedged. “I’m actually all caught up on my homework. It’s strange. I still want to do my best but I don’t feel as though I need to revise a million times to get it just right. I suppose that’s the capacity for memory father talked about, not that I’m complaining mind you. I had thought I could help you work on that thing in the ROR.”

Draco nodded. “We’ll need to eat first if we’re going to do that. And…you are brilliant. You didn’t ever need to revise before. However, I suppose you are right. I find myself breezing through my work as well, not that some of it isn’t difficult. I just don’t have such a hard time grasping it any longer. I suppose there are several advantages that come along with being…us.”

“I believe this is the part where we embrace ourselves,” Hermione said dryly.

Draco chuckled and knocked on Severus’s door. It swung open a few moments later and they slipped in.

“Ready to go eat?” Melody asked. “I’m starving!”

Hermione giggled. “Honestly, how much did you let him drink?”

Melody grinned, her eyes a bit glassy. “He can have it all if he wants it.”

Severus snorted, stalking across the room. “A few words and the woman turns into a lovesick mess.”

“You love it,” Draco teased.

“I didn’t say I didn’t,” Severus said, his mouth twitching to repress a smirk. “But it does make certain things inconvenient.”

“How so?” Hermione asked.

As hard as he tried, the grin spread quickly across her father’s mouth. “I can hardly whip her properly if she sighs and stares at me as if I were Adonis.”

“Maybe you are,” Melody said lightly as she breezed out the door, cloak already firmly in place.

“How are you?” Hermione asked Severus once they were headed towards the forest to apparate.

Severus gave her a warm smile. “I do believe I am happier than I have ever been. Why the Fates have seen fit to grant me such bliss I’ll never know, but I will never regret confessing my feelings.”

“Then that’s all that matters,” Hermione said, patting his arm.

She was truly happy for them and a feeling of complete rightness clicked in place in her soul. The strength of the feeling startled her, throwing her off balance for a moment. Draco steadied her, pulling her into his side as they continued on their course.

“I felt it too,” he whispered in her ear.

“We are a true coven now,” Melody said once they were gathered around the portkey. “All of our secrets have been shared and our feelings are out in the open. That was how the true original covens used to operate. The open family lived for each other, cried for each other, loved for each other, and died for each other. We’ll be much stronger from here on out. That was what you felt.”

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Hermione shivered as Draco pulled back the cloth covering the vanishing cabinet. She was fully sated but the rush of magic was almost enough to make her hungry again. She noticed that the higher the levels of magic she was exposed to, the faster her feedings ran out. She wondered if that was why Alex and Nancy declined to live at Hogwarts while they learned the extent of their magic. It made sense. Nancy was so new and so volatile that Alex probably wanted the most stable environment possible. It was for the best though. Dumbledore assured them that Aberforth, for all his questionable dealings, was an amazing teacher, especially to those with no knowledge of magic beforehand.

“Any ideas?” Draco sighed. “Peeves did a right job on it.”

Hermione tentatively ran her hand over the cabinet, feeling the magic pulse under her fingers. It had the sweet cloying scent of Dark Magic surrounding it as well but it didn’t feel seductive like other dark things she’d experienced. Draco had done a fine job mending the physical damage. There wasn’t a splinter out of place but the magical damage would be much harder to repair. She could see the lines Draco had drawn indicating where the physical damage had been.

“Can you do the diagnostic spell again?” Hermione asked. “I’ll need to see it.”

Draco nodded and cast a spell to reveal rips in magical spells. The cabinet lit up like a Christmas tree, flashes of yellow, purple, blue, green, and red pulsing in the cracked areas of a white web. It was much worse than she originally thought. They’d either need to strip the magic and replace it or repair each rip individually. She gathered that the different colors meant different kinds of repairs needed.

“How long do you figure stripping it would take?” she asked.

“As near as I can tell, stripping it would require a month’s time, as we would need to make sure that we removed every trace inside and out. There’s also no guarantee that the original materials weren’t conjured or transfigured in some way as well. We’d have to basically start from scratch. Rebuilding it, assuming we have all the correct spells to duplicate it now, would take at least six months. That’s not including a trip to Borgin and Burkes to recalibrate the syncing magic between the two.”

“That’s much too long,” she sighed. “I suppose repairing each individual rip is the only way to go. Have you found out why there are so many different colors?”

Draco nodded. “The white web is of course the outer base of the magic. I haven’t even begun to cast it inside. For now, you can see that it is not structurally sound. The different colors indicate the different nature of the rips. Yellow indicates a material weakness. Purple is a stretching of a blanket spell. Blue represents an actual hole of some sort, most likely due to accidental magic. I imagine that kid who was stuck in here was distraught enough to lose control. Green, like the Avada spell, represents the death of a spell. Red is even worse than the death of a spell. It’s the mutation of one most likely from impact, which means it is potentially unstable. We’ll have to find a way to stabilize the spell, find the mutation, and reverse it.”

Hermione shifted, trying to relieve some of the tension that was now building between her legs. Draco’s lecturing about the cabinet and diagnostic spells had turned her on more than she’d ever imagined. Sure her mate was gorgeous, but there was more to a person than looks. She preferred intellectual men over pretty boys. It appeared that Draco was both. She wasn’t ignorant. He’d always gotten second best marks but to hear him talk so knowledgeably and passionately about a subject she admittedly knew very little about… well, it was affecting her greatly.

Sharp as ever, Draco knew exactly how she was feeling. He smirked wickedly. “What’s the matter love? Do you find my research unsatisfactory?”

“No,” she insisted, surprising herself by the huskiness of her voice. “I find it fascinating.”

“You would.” He turned back to the cabinet and purposely dropped his voice lower. “Based on magical building theory, the structure must be sound before you can complete the enhancing spell work. Therefore, we must target the yellow areas first. I was able to repair the physical damage but the entire cabinet, if my findings are correct, has a blanket spell on it for strength. Now, even magic has its limits. I’d say a prankster poltergeist is probably at the outer edge of them. The impact from when the cabinet was dropped shattered the stability spell and while I mended the material, I didn’t mend the magic protecting it. We’ll need to knit it back together. Are you with me so far?”

Hermione could only nod and clench her thighs a little tighter. She knew he knew how she was feeling and that he was making her squirm. At the same time, she was loathe to stop him and beg him to let her relieve herself. She really did find his research absolutely intriguing and was soaking it in while soaking herself. She always loved learning new things and magical building theory was something she’d heard next to nothing about. Sure, she’d studied it a few moments when she’d been in the tent at the World Quidditch Cup and some at the Burrow, but hadn’t given the procedures to create such a magical structure any more thought. The closest she’d come was a magical extension charm.

“Now then,” Draco continued, shifting so he was standing behind her now. He pointed to the different yellow areas. “You’ll notice that most of the yellow indicators are at sections that were previously cracked. There are a few that aren’t though. Those are the ones we need to look at first since just because it looks to be structurally sound doesn’t mean it is. Therefore we need a magnification spell. Can you do the honors, just on that crack there in the bottom right corner?”

Hermione took a steadying breath and lifted her wand, trying desperately to recall the spell. Her mind had gone quite blank since he’d pressed his body against hers to point out the spot he required help on. His scent and the feel of the hard planes of his chest made her senses go crazy. She wanted nothing more than to spin around and devour him but she would get in trouble for that. He’d made it more than clear that he’d do the advancing unless she’d expressly asked for a switch.

Draco bent lower, letting his lips barely graze her ear as he spoke. “I believe the spell you are looking for is Ampleo.”

Hermione huffed but was secretly glad he’d told her because she honestly couldn’t recall it. They’d be standing here all night if her brain decided to shut down. She cast it flawlessly, enlarging the section before their eyes. Draco had been right. There was a tiny crack in the wood, probably not big enough for a flea to fit through. Still, it was a weak spot and needed to be repaired.

Draco raised his wand and pointed carefully. “Conrigo!”

The wood knitted back together perfectly, not one grain out of place. She sighed at his precision and watched through hooded eyes as he marked the spot so they could go on. They more than likely wouldn’t forget, but it was always nice to have a backup just in case. Gods she wanted him. There had to be something wrong with her if listening to him lecture made her wet and watching him repair things had her weak at the knees.

“Why don’t you try the next one?”

Hermione jumped when Draco’s breath whispered across the back of her neck. She wasn’t expecting him to pull back like that. She quickly centered herself and searched the cabinet for another spot. There was a small one on the front of the door, just right of the handle. She enlarged it, noticing the punched out place. It looked like someone stuck a needle through it. Warm lips on her neck almost threw her off her casting but she managed to hold her wand steady and cast the spell, repairing it flawlessly. She finished the job by marking the spot.

“Well done,” Draco breathed, putting his arms around her waist and pulling her into him.

She almost cried with happiness when she felt his hardness digging into her arse. He might not be affected by her ability to cast spells, but he was at least ready for her. All she had to do was tip him over, make him lose control… and try not to make it look like she was controlling it. She bit back a smirk as she snuggled into him, shifting her bum a bit so that it would nestle his erection. His sharp gasp satisfied her.

“Are there any more?” she asked as innocently as she could.

Draco huffed out a breath, stepping back a bit. It disappointed her but she tried to tamp the feeling down. He studied the cabinet a moment before nodding. “There’s one more on the side.”

The last thing she wanted to do was step away from Draco but she had to. She couldn’t properly aim if she stayed in one spot. Therefore, in a moment of inspiration, she shed her robe and tossed it on a nearby desk. She wasn’t hot or particularly bothered by the bulk, but it was rather convenient to show off her uniform. She’d covertly undone enough buttons that her bra peaked out and shortened her skirt a little. That ought to get his attention. She worked quickly, mending the hairline crack up the side and making a show out of stretching and bending to make sure she thoroughly searched the cabinet for any stray areas.

“You’re amazing,” Draco said warmly. “And now we go to the next part, knitting the spells. You can’t just cast spells at spells and hope they stick. Some work that way, defensive spells for example. If you place a shield in front of an absorption spell, they will meld and avoid bounce backs in combat. If you break the shield, the spell can’t be mended. It must be recast. However, building spells must be tied in, all working as one. They are built in layers, melding with one another to create a web that will not break in the face of damage, but rip open and require a healing spell. The way to achieve this is called weaving. You must find the edges of the material breach and weave a structural thread of magic through it before joining the ends and sewing it.”

“How does that work?” she breathed, in a state of extreme arousal and disbelief that Draco had taken the time to study all of this. She envied him and wanted him even more at the same time.

“I have a book on the theory. Though, regrettably, I haven’t been able to produce the actual thread to weave with. I was hoping that with your help, I could. You see, the spell is miraculously close to that of a patronus, which I haven’t ever been able to conjure.”

“You can’t?” Hermione asked in shock.

Draco shook his head. “Not enough happy memories…until now.”

Hermione smiled at him, shocked that he was unable to produce something as essential as a patronus. How would he stave off dementors? She got a wicked idea then. It was horrid of her to use Draco’s weakness against him but she shook that thought off. He was a Slytherin. He’d understand.

“Expecto Patronum!” she shouted, producing her little otter. It formed more brightly than ever before, dancing and swimming across the room, playing with Draco and then darting away. He laughed, genuinely happy and intrigued at its beauty. She let it go, fading away into nothing.

“That must have been some memory,” Draco said in awe.

“Oh it was,” Hermione said, fighting down a smirk.

“What was it?” Draco asked.

She looked at him a moment, licking her lips before continuing on. “The day I first tried out the spell on Draco Junior.”

“Draco Junior?”

She nodded her head. “That’s what I named that toy you sent me. I like him quite a lot. I’ve been thinking about resurrecting him while you’re in class someday. I might even skip DADA to do it.”

“Oh you naughty little witch,” he breathed, his eyes going indigo with lust. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.”

“I’m not doing anything!”

He grinned. “Oh, so you think I didn’t see you adjusting your clothes, or notice that you deliberately waved your delectable arse about just a bit too much? Perhaps that little remark about the toy was completely innocent?”

Hermione flushed, knowing she’d been caught and not particularly caring about it. She was a little perturbed that she was going to be punished for it. She didn’t think being sexy was a punishable offense.

“You are going to be punished,” Draco said, “but probably not for what you’re agonizing over. You’re going to get five for thinking you could outsmart me and another five because after all we’ve been through, you should have been able to just ask.”

Hermione sniffed. “I didn’t want you to stop talking. It…it turned me on.”

Draco smirked and shook his head. “Kinky witch, turned on by knowledge. It’s an interesting quirk to be sure. Next time I want to get you hot and bothered, I’ll just check out a book and read to you.”

She couldn’t stop the full body shiver that gave her. The picture of Draco reading any book to her as he stroked her glistening folds absentmindedly was almost too much. His low chuckle went straight to her pussy. She hardly protested when he spun her around and yanked her skirt and knickers down. She thought she might quit breathing when he bent her over a rickety old desk and tied her hands to it with a bit of old twine lying beside it.

“I trust you’ll be a good girl and stay put,” Draco drawled, humming in satisfaction when she managed to nod. He kneaded her cheeks. “Such a pretty arse. You have no idea how badly I want to take you here.” He ran a digit over her puckered hole.

“N-nno!”

“Easy,” he said, rubbing soothing circles on her lower back. “I’m not going to take your arse over a desk, but I do want you to think about it. I’ll make it good for you. I might even invite Draco Junior to join us.”

“What?”

“Come on, haven’t you ever thought about having a three way? Now we can.”

Hermione felt her face heat up. She could picture it clearly: her, Draco, and a Slytherin green and silver copy of her mate. A gush of fluid leaked from her pussy, wetting her thighs. Draco’s chuckle made her core clench even harder. Thoroughly distracted by an image of Draco taking her from behind with help of a toy, she was unprepared for the first blow on her right cheek. She cried out in shock and sudden pain, whimpering when he rubbed the spot with his hand, turning pain to pleasure.

“Count or you’ll get more,” he warned.

“O-one…s-sir?”

“Hmmm… sir. I like that. We’ll keep it.”

Hermione nodded in understanding. Truth be told, it turned her on a bit as well. The next blow landed on her left cheek causing a delicious sting. She barely remembered to count it. The next three came quickly, overlapping and stinging deliciously. Each one landed a little harder than the last and caused a delay in healing from the power.

“There’s five for trying to outsmart me,” he said huskily. “You know I can feel and smell every change in you. Why try?”

Hermione sighed. “I just wanted you to keep talking and… and I don’t know, fuck me while you did it?”

“Let’s continue then. Next time…just ask love. If you want me to lecture you about magical building theory as I pound you into the nearest surface, you let me know. Sounds… hot.”

SMACK!

Hermione screamed in surprise. He hadn’t warned her and this blow was much harder than the other five. To her surprise, it shot straight to her core. She counted it in a whisper. He made the next four fast and furious, the last landing dangerously close to her pussy. With just a spanking, she was close.

“Gods you’re soaking,” Draco groaned, crouching down to bury his face in her folds, lavishing attention on her sorely neglected clit. “So delicious.”

Hermione couldn’t begin to process everything she was feeling. The desk edge was biting into her thighs. Her hands were chafing against the ropes keeping them tied. Her nipples were rock hard against the cold desk. And all of that paled in comparison to Draco’s hot tongue worshiping her. A fang scraped in just the right spot…and she went over. Pleasure coursed through her, sweeping her away.

Draco moved like lightening, sliding home in one solid thrust and fucking her through the rest of her climax and into a quick second one. She was on cloud nine, loving what he was doing. Her hands were released and Draco suddenly pulled out, flipping her over and sideways so she could lay long ways on the desk. He climbed on top of her and entered her again with a groan.

“Gods you’re amazing,” Draco whispered, taking his time, making sure he hit every sensitive spot.

“I love you,” Hermione blurted out. She hadn’t meant to but he was suddenly so gentle that she couldn’t help it. She was rewarded with a blinding smile and a look so tender it made her tear up.

“I love you too,” he whispered in her ear. “You know, I’ve never said those words to another person in my life, including my parents.”

“That’s horrible!”

“That I love you?”

“No, that you’ve never said it to anyone else.”

“It just makes you that much more special,” he breathed and sped up.

She groaned and thrust up to meet him, both reaching for their high together. Time stood still, similar to when they’d first mated. They couldn’t tell which way was up. The room spun, various artifacts were broken as they shagged their way across the room. They altered between fast and slow, hard and soft, rough and easy. They drank from each other and shared their flavors. It was what they needed, wanted, had to have. They lost track of the amount of times they climaxed, one seeming to flow into the next. Hours later, they collapsed at the foot of the vanishing cabinet.

“Damn, always this thing,” Draco panted, frowning at the cabinet that had stopped glowing some time ago.

“Give me a few of those books and I’ll catch up and help you. Then we can focus on other things.”

He leered at her. “Other things?”

She nodded. “Oh yes. I’m rather interested in knowing exactly how Draco Junior will be joining us.”

“Woman, you are going to be the death of me.”

AN: Chapter 27: The Return of Draco Malfoy Jr. *snickers* Anyway, we're well on our way. I *think* that the Halloween ball is next. Not sure. Muse hasn't exactly been forthcoming with that information yet. As always, thanks to everyone for your reviews. They please my muse and trust me, she's very hard to please. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time... Love you guys.
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Beyond the Pale