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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
- 29
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- 31
“One more time,” Hermione said desperately.

“If you haven’t gotten it by now, you aren’t going to,” Severus growled.

“Shut it,” Melody snapped. “You aren’t helping.”

“I agree,” Alex said quietly. “Try again.”

“Quiet and let him concentrate,” Nancy chided.

“ENOUGH!” Draco bellowed, silencing everyone in the room. “It’s useless. I’ll never be able to cast it.”

“Then you’ll never be able to fix the cabinet either,” Hermione said quietly. “Now clear your mind, just like you were about to practice Occlumency.” She rubbed her hand along his shoulders. “Try to find the happiest thought in your mind. It doesn’t have to be profound, just happy.”

Draco blew out an annoyed breath and tried to clear his mind. This was pointless. He’d been trying to cast his patronus for the last two weeks and hadn’t managed more than a fine mist, not even a shield. He just didn’t have that many happy memories. He lost concentration when Hermione started rubbing his shoulders. How was he supposed to concentrate when she was right there anyway? She was his center now, as odd as that sounded. He’d never been happier than when he was with her. With her.

A memory popped into his head of them a few weeks ago. His explanation of how to mend the cabinet aroused her so bad she could scarcely pay attention. He remembered being elated that he could turn her on just with his knowledge. She was attracted to more than his body and it was a heady feeling, one that made his heart leap even now. It filled him, made him almost giddy.

“Cast Draco,” Hermione whispered.

“EXPECTO PATRONUM!”

The whole family, Draco included, gasped in shock when a silvery fox formed in the air. It walked around regally for a few moments before leaping into the air and twisting about. Draco grinned, holding his wand to steer it, careful to keep his thoughts on the spell. A few moments later, it was joined by more silvery creatures. Hermione’s otter practically tackled the fox, leaping and rolling, running to and fro about the room. A wolf walked into the middle, ducking when the two smaller animals leapt over it.

“They’re beautiful,” Melody said with a sigh as she directed the wolf to pounce on the others.

Severus frowned at the sight and drew his wand. It wavered in his hand a moment before he steeled himself and cast. A large wolf shot from the tip and pranced over to the center of the room, sitting down and watching the others.

“Oh,” Melody cried in disbelief. “Oh Merlin.”

Severus gave her a gentle smile. “Does that answer your question?”

“Oh Sev,” Melody squealed and tackled him to the floor, effectively making everyone lose concentration.

“I’ve missed something,” Alex said with a frown.

Nancy sighed happily as she watched Melody practically ripping her mate’s clothes off. “Every witch or wizard has their own unique patronus. It correlates with their personality on some level. However, in cases of very strong emotion, a patronus changes. In cases of love, it will take on the patronus of the desired individual.”

“So his patronus changed then,” Alex mused. “I wonder what mine is.”

“When you have reached that level of control, we can try it,” Hermione hedged. “I’m sure you can cast it wandlessly if you have enough intent.”

Alex nodded. “An experiment for another time perhaps. Right now, well, after my daughter sees fit to get off the floor, we must go over the plan for tonight.”

Draco chuckled. “I think she has the right idea.”

Alex’s eyes flashed brightly when Severus let out a sharp growl and pinned Melody to the floor, ripping her clothes off in one motion. “Perhaps she does.”

Hermione grinned as Alex blurred across the room. He’d managed to undress both him and Nancy and was now taking her from behind over a table that had appeared. She really did love the ROR. It seemed to cater to their every need. Well, not every need. The ache between her thighs was proof of that. Draco had no qualms about it though. He simply picked her up, asked for a large cushy chair, and flopped down on it when it appeared. Then he vanished their clothes and pulled her on top of him.

Hermione welcomed him with a groan but she was still annoyed. “If you keep vanishing my clothes, I won’t have any left.”

His chuckle turned into a moan when she bucked her hips. “I’ll buy you a new wardrobe, two or three if you’d like, just don’t stop doing that.”

Hermione was of two minds. One was reveling in the closeness of her family and her mate. The other was her old human self, staring agog at the display they were putting on. It was that moment that she realized she no longer had any place in the human world. Oh, she had friends and a purpose, but she was vampire through and through and she loved it in this moment.

Something inside her clicked in place, making a spark shoot from her toes to her brain. Her insides clamped down hard around Draco, making him growl and thrust up as hard as she could. That was enough to send her over, screaming at the pleasure she felt. Draco’s climax barely registered as she drifted along, her whole body tingling. Her father’s deep baritone broke her out of her reverie.

“You have accepted it,” he said quietly. “You are vampire now. Embrace it. Live it. Love it. But never forget who you were or where you came from. We must always remember our roots or we become no better than those we despise.”

“Yes sir,” Hermione said breathlessly.

“And now I feel it is time to discuss tonight,” Severus continued, allowing some time for everyone to clean themselves up before he dove into the particulars. “As you all know, the dance is merely a distraction. However, we must put in an appearance. I overheard Nott, Goyle, and Crabbe discussing Draco’s lack of interest in the ball yesterday. They think he’s going to skip it and are growing suspicious about his extracurricular activities. I believe Miss Parkinson has convinced them of her theory and they will be looking for the missing girl Draco is supposed to be spending his time with. I also have received a not so craftily worded letter from Bellatrix asking if Hermione was doing unauthorized research or acting strangely.”

“I’m sure she said it like that too,” Hermione said with a snort.

“Quite,” Severus allowed. “I have let it slip that you’ve spent most of your time in the Restricted section with Dumbledore’s blessings. However, I made sure to point out that Potter has been nowhere near you during those times. He has been giving you flying lessons though, also with Dumbledore’s blessings. She should be salivating by now.”

“Anything else we should know?” Nancy asked.

Severus nodded. “Bellatrix has apparently acquired a recipe for a power potion designed to strip residue from ancestors and infuse it into one’s core. It is useless to the Dark Lord, since his mother’s body is forever lost to him and his father was a muggle. Not to mention, he’s already infused Riddle’s bones in his system. However, Potter’s parents are quite easy to find and therefore, she has garnered the only location in which Hermione can gather the last crucial ingredient for the potion to work.”

“Godric’s Hollow,” Hermione whispered.

Severus nodded. “Draco had done an excellent job of cataloguing your whereabouts lately. Apparently, you’ve been conversing with unicorns and coaxing them to freely give their blood, another rare ingredient to obtain.”

“But only the pure can speak with them,” Hermione said with a frown.

“Well, I might have exaggerated a bit on your pure nature,” Draco said with a smirk. “But she doesn’t have to know what a wildcat you are in bed…or a chair…or the floor.”

“Alright,” Hermione snapped. “We get the point. I like sex. Can we continue?”

“I’m hurt,” Draco said in mock pain. “I thought you loved it.”

She sniffed. “You still haven’t gotten around to that three-way you promised.”

“Ouch,” he groaned, rubbing his now hardening member.

“That’s not possible,” Alex said with a frown. “He’d go limp as a noodle.”

“Not that kind,” Draco drawled. “Toys I had commissioned hardly count as a third person, though they will be used that way. And I haven’t forgotten love. I’ve just been occupied with that bloody cabinet. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you can’t walk straight for at least a few hours by the time I’m done with you.”

“Stop,” Melody growled. “We don’t have time for another round and you two are seriously making me regret not locking Sev in here all day.”

Alex guffawed, earning dirty looks from his daughter and his mate. He sobered after a while and sighed. “So we follow Melody who will look like Hermione to Godric’s Hollow and do what exactly?”

“Wait in the shadows,” Melody said. “I’ll pretend to collect the bones of the Potters and wait for an ambush.”

“What if she just decides to stun you and be done with it?” Nancy asked.

“That’s not Bella’s style,” Severus said. “She’ll want Melody’s full attention as she duels her. She lives for the fear of her victims. However, if she does just try to stun first and ask questions later, we’ll go after her.”

“What do we hope to accomplish by sending Melody in?” Alex asked softly.

“Two things,” Severus said. “Number one, it’s the perfect lure. Bellatrix won’t be able to resist the temptation to capture one of Potter’s best friends on her own. It will draw her out where we can get at her. Two, if Melody does succeed, not only will we have the location of another Horcrux, but we will have proved that Hermione is a fierce opponent. They’ll treat her existence with caution after this.”

“Won’t that create more heat for her?” Alex asked.

“It will,” Draco said softly. “But the Dark Lord will also be more cautious to strike directly. We’ll have to send a missive to her family to make sure her parents are well hidden.”

“They will be,” Hermione whispered and stalked across the room to pen a quick note to her cousin. It simply stated that she was fine but that she suggested adding another blanket to the bed. She knew Julie would read it for what it was, a plea to hide her parents even deeper than they were. She sent it off with a school owl that Melody had convinced to roost in the room for a while.

“So,” Alex said when she was finished. “Why exactly are Nancy and I here? Won’t it look rather suspicious to have us back in the castle?”

“It would,” Melody said, “if you didn’t have a purpose. Unfortunately, Albus couldn’t book a band on such short notice. So, he scrounged up a karaoke system that runs off magic for entertainment. However, most of the students will either be too shy or have no clue what it is. Since we’ll be leaving together anyway, I thought I’d ask if you two could start things off.”

Nancy’s eyes were as wide as galleons. “Y-you want us to sing in front of everyone?”

Melody pursed her lips. “Will Theo recognize your voice?”

“I doubt it,” she whispered. “They kept us as far apart as they could most of the time.”

“Then you shouldn’t have any problems,” Melody said. “Will you do it?”

Nancy and Alex stared at each other for several minutes before Nancy sighed and nodded. “On one condition.”

“What?” Melody asked.

“You must sing as well,” Alex said softly.

“Oh I couldn’t,” Melody said, paling significantly.

“Stage fright?” Alex asked in mock horror. “Say it isn’t so.”

Severus put his arms around her waist and pulled her into his body, nuzzling her neck. “It’s alright love. You have the most beautiful voice. Please don’t let a thoughtless remark I made years ago stop you.”

“I… I haven’t really sung in front of a crowd in a long time Sev.”

“Nonsense,” he chided. “You sang beautifully not too long ago.”

“In a pub with tons of drunks.”

“Doesn’t matter. You were flawless.”

She breathed in deeply and nodded. “Alright. But if we’re putting people on the spot, I say Hermione and Draco should join in too.”

“Over my dead body,” Draco growled. “No one, and I mean no one will ever hear me sing.”

“I have,” Hermione said. “And you were brilliant.”

He smirked. “Of course. But I meant at school. That’s all I need is for people to go around claiming I’m a bloody pop star, especially one that knows muggle songs.”

“So charm your hair,” Melody said with a shrug. “Those that realize you’re wearing the same clothes will do a double take and you can brush it off later.”

“I still don’t think-“

“I’ll do it,” Hermione said quickly. “I…I want to.”

“Really?” Draco asked in shock.

She nodded. “I’m terrified but I’ve wanted to sing for so very long and what better way to start than completely anonymously.”

Draco laughed. “You think they won’t recognize that busy mane of yours?”

“I’m going to tame it tonight,” she said with a glare. “You just watch.”

Draco growled. “If you are wearing that little red number you showed me yesterday with your hair fixed, I swear I’ll bend you over the nearest table and fuck your brains out.”

“Promise?” she asked sweetly.

“Whoa,” Alex said, stepping in front of Draco before he could lunge at Hermione. “Easy you two. I’m sure you can pull off a mid-dance fuck somewhere but you’ve got to go get ready now.”

“Fine,” Draco snapped. “But you aren’t going out on that stage alone. If I have to change my bloody clothes and go as Derik, you’ll sing a duet.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Draco said with a Cheshire cat grin. “I’m sure I’ll find a way you can thank me later.”

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“Come on, we’re going to be late!” Ron hollered up the stairs.

Hermione smirked at Lavender. “You’re date is getting aggravated.”

“Ugh,” Lavender groaned for the twelfth time in twenty minutes. “I look hideous.”

“You do not,” Hermione sighed. “You’ve just put too much makeup on.”

“But I need it!”

“No you don’t,” she snorted and used her wand to siphon a few layers of eye shadow off the fretting girl’s face. Then she changed her lipstick to a more subdued coral and lightened her cheeks to a rosy color. She left the thick eyeliner though. It made her look sort of exotic.

“Wow,” Ginny said. “That really made a difference.”

Lavender peered in the mirror and gasped in shock. “How did you know what to do?”

“It’s not so much that,” Hermione said, fussing with her still bushy hair as she spoke. “I noticed that you applied your makeup charm about four times as you got dressed.”

“Did I really?”

Hermione nodded. “Just relax. Trust me, Ron’s not that hard to please.”

“Um…thanks Hermione.”

Hermione smiled at the clearly nervous girl. “No problem. Now get down there before he tries to go up the staircase and rips his trousers on the slide down.”

Lavender squeaked and ran out the door, nearly flattening poor Fay and Tabitha as she went. Her dorm mates merely shook their heads and laughed. Lavender had a tendency to be over dramatic. They’d grown quite used to it but today had taken the cake.

Ginny tsked from the door. “You’ll never get done at this pace.”

Hermione sighed and sat down to let Ginny fix her hair. She was rather glad that she’d walked in at that moment. Without Ginny, she’d never get it sorted out and Draco was looking forward to her transformation tonight. If she were honest with herself, she was too. She wanted that mid-dance fuck.

“Why the change?” Ginny asked, her wand between her teeth as she worked more sleek-easy through the frizzy locks.

“I promised.”

Ginny grinned and took the wand out of her mouth to wave it about Hermione’s head. “Oh you did, did you?”

“I promised to do a lot of things tonight actually.”

“Can’t wait,” Ginny said with a snicker.

“What did you promise to do?” Fay asked.

“You’ll see,” Hermione said with a smirk worthy of Draco.

Fay’s eyes went wide. “Wow. I definitely can’t wait then.”

“Done,” Ginny said, stepping back and surveying her handy work.

Hermione examined herself in the mirror, grinning at the change. Ginny had managed to straighten her locks, making them reach well past her waist. She’d twisted the very front up into a French twist to keep it out of her eyes. Curled tendrils framed her face, just brushing the spaghetti straps of her blood red skin tight mini-dress. She looked…like walking sex, especially in her four inch heels.

“Now for the makeup,” Ginny said, studying her face for a moment. “You’ll be wearing a mask so the eyes won’t matter that much, a point I think Lavender forgot.”

The remaining girls in the room snickered.

“The mask covers the bridge of my nose and the tops of my cheeks,” Hermione informed her. “It’s black and silver, by the way.”

“I take it you didn’t pick it out.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “How could you tell?”

Ginny snickered. “Alright then. Let’s see, you’ll need to show your Gryffindor pride so…blood red lipstick. We’ll leave the rest blank. Your pale skin will be quite the contrast.”

Hermione turned to look at herself again. “You don’t think it’s too much?”

“I think you should add an extra sticking charm to those lips before you go in,” Ginny muttered under her breath before adding a loud ‘no’ for the benefit of the other girls.

“Thanks Gin,” Hermione gushed. “You look amazing too.”

Ginny studied her gold dress. It was a simple floor length spaghetti strapped number but it hugged her every curve. She’d worn her hair board straight. Her makeup was understated but perfect.

“What are you supposed to be?” Fay asked.

“I’m a siren,” Hermione said with a smirk.

“That you are,” Ginny said with a laugh and produced an elaborate beaded headdress and a mask with exotically painted eyes. “I’m Cleopatra.”

“Cute,” Fay squealed.

The girls grinned and thanked Fay before making their way to the common room. Ron had apparently already dragged Lavender into the Great Hall for the feast. Dumbledore had decided to combine food and dancing, ditching the house tables several round ones so different houses could mingle…and identities could be kept a bit more secretive.

“Damn,” Harry breathed when they met him.

He was dressed as a Pharaoh, complete with a snake headdress and sandals. Hermione had charmed them herself. She chuckled as his eyes practically fell out of their head when Ginny twirled for him. Those two were going to melt the walls if given half a chance. She was so glad they’d decided to go together. Even if they were adamant that it was just as friends, she knew better. She clicked her tongue ring for a small burst of peach flavored blood, more bored than parched but their chemistry was sending her senses into overdrive and she couldn’t afford that.

“Sorry Hermione,” Harry said sheepishly, tearing his eyes away from Ginny.

“No worries,” she said with a grin. “Just needed a pick me up. You two ready or should I give you a few moments?”

“We’re ready,” Ginny squeaked, just a bit too urgently.

Hermione chuckled and motioned for them to lead the way. She snapped her mask in place before they left the common room. No use in everyone knowing who she was. She wanted to remain as anonymous as possible, not that it was easy to do. Harry’s trademark messy hair and Ginny’s red mop were quite easy to guess. She got a sudden burst of inspiration.

“Gin, mind if I charm your hair black? It’ll match your costume better.”

Ginny spun around, a wide grin on her face. She nodded eagerly and stood still while Hermione charmed her black and shortened it up a bit so it would look Egyptian. She grinned at her handy work and laughed when Harry agreed it looked better but quickly back tracked saying he preferred the red. Ginny let him off the hook after a few moments of fumbling and they made their way into the Great Hall.

Hermione couldn’t help bursting into a fit of giggles as she entered. Instead of the standard creepy affair the hall normally was during Halloween, it had been charmed to resemble a haunted disco. The floor even had colored light up tiles. A huge spinning mirror ball was suspended in the middle of the hall, throwing off reflections from the millions of charmed colored lights flooding the place. Cobwebs covered the walls and blinking mini multi-colored jack-o-lanterns floated in the sky. It was so absurd that it was positively wonderful. She sat at a table with her friends and waited for the festivities to start, noticing that Draco hadn’t arrived yet.

Dumbledore waited until everyone was seated at a table before making an announcement. He was resplendent in shimmering dark blue robes with moons and stars printed on them. His mask looked like two stars glued together. Hermione grinned when she realized he was dressed as the midnight sky.

“Welcome, welcome everyone to the Halloween ball. A few reminders before we get started. First through fourth years will be permitted to stay until ten. Anyone trying to stay later will be given detention with Mr. Filch. There is to be no tampering with food or beverages and rest assured that all of the serving trays have been enchanted to give a nasty surprise to those who would try. Also, your Professors are also in costume, some not so obvious. Be mindful of your actions tonight.

“Now then, unfortunately we could not find a band to play for this occasion. However, we do have entertainment lined up. Hogwarts has procured the use of a karaoke machine and a DJ for the night. For those who aren’t familiar with this particular custom, karaoke is singing along with your favorite tunes for the enjoyment of all. We do have both muggle and wizarding music. In case anyone is too shy to join in, we also have a few guests who have graciously agreed to sing in lieu of participants.”

Drinks appeared on everyone’s table along with a menu.

“Let’s begin with a toast. To Hogwarts, unity, and friendship. May they never fall!”

Hermione studied the menu for a moment before selecting a dish she knew Ron really loved. With any luck, his mouth would water and he’d offer to eat it. She did hate wasting food. To her delight, he hadn’t made any comments about her dress. His eyes had been glued to Lavender’s chest since she’d gotten here and she was surprisingly glad about that. A tea cup full of blood appeared in front of her and she was grateful. All the emotions and magic in the room seemed to pool around her and make her throat dry.

“Oi, you there,” Ron called her after a while. “Are you going to eat that?”

She raised an incredulous eyebrow. “Really Ronald, I have a name.”

Ron spluttered a moment before regaining his composure. “H-h-hermione?”

“Yes Ronald?”

“What in the hell are you wearing?” he burst out.

“It’s called a costume,” she growled. “And you may have my food when you pick your jaw up off the table. Honestly, you’re making a spectacle of yourself.”

Lavender shot her a sad look and levitated the plate across the table for Ron. Hermione really did feel bad for the girl at that moment. She really hadn’t dressed to provoke anyone but Draco, whom she could smell but not see over the sea of other students. She was looking forward to his reaction.

Dumbledore stood after a long while, clinking his glass to gain everyone’s attention. “I hope everyone enjoyed their meal. Tables will be cleared shortly and a refreshment table will appear as well. I’d like you all to give a warm Hogwarts welcome to our guest singers for this evening. Everyone please greet Alex and Cara Bach!”

Hermione couldn’t wipe the grin off her face as she watched her grandparents walk out to the stage that appeared on the dais. They were dressed as vampires; every cliché observed right down to the red velvet lined cape. Their fangs flashed in the light making several people gasp. They grinned and took the stage, grabbing a charmed microphone and making a selection on the song choice list. The first strands of You’re The One played and they started dancing. She sighed and watched them make jaws drop with their vocal abilities. She really was glad they were her family.

“Bloody hell,” Ron whimpered. “You don’t think they’re real vampires do you?”

“So what if they are?” Hermione snapped before she thought better of it.

“They could be mesmerizing us now!”

Ginny snorted before Hermione could respond. “I highly doubt Dumbledore would allow them to do anything to us. Really Ron, how thick can you get?”

“I still don’t like it.”

Hermione downed the last of her blood and slammed her tea cup down, wincing when she felt it crack. She had to get out of there before she smacked her misguided friend. Ignoring his calls, she made her way to the refreshment table at the front of the room, not really paying attention to the hundreds of pairs of eyes locked to her form as she went. She just needed some space from Ron to cool off. Getting a drink, even if she had no intentions of consuming it, would do that nicely.

“Allow me,” Draco purred in her ear.

She spun in shock. How had he snuck up on her like that? He managed to brush his lips against hers as she moved, sidestepping her a moment later and filling a glass for her. She took in his attire as he did so. He looked positively edible in a tailored black suit with silver pin striping that showed off his amazing backside. He was wearing a blood red shirt and a black and silver mask. Little red horns peaked out from under his slicked back hair. Gods he was gorgeous.

“Here you go,” he said quietly, lifting a glass to toast her with. He put it to his lips, mimicking the act of drinking while he muttered some more. “If you aren’t in that first abandoned classroom in the first hall in ten minutes, this entire school is going to get the shock of their lives.”

She let out a shaky breath and put her glass to her lips. “I’ll be there in nine.”

“Look forward to it,” he breathed, spinning around and disappearing into the crowd.

She headed back to her friends, noticing that the table had disappeared and they were standing on the far wall. Ginny was grinning like a loon as she walked up. Harry was doing a better job at suppressing his obvious amusement. Ron, on the other hand, looked like he was a cross between sick to his stomach and about to blow his top.

“What the bloody hell was that about?”

“What was what about?” she asked with a frown, pretending to drink again.

“Malfoy. He got you a drink!”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “I’m sure he had no clue who I was Ronald. Besides, how do you know it was Malfoy?”

“That hair of his,” Ron growled. “Are you sure he didn’t poison your drink?”

“I’m still alive aren’t I?” she snapped. “Besides, this is a costume party. He didn’t sound like Malfoy at all and he was certainly much nicer. He complimented my attire and got me a drink. He was a gentleman, unlike you are being right at the moment.”

Ron sniffed and turned around, failing miserably to turn all of his attention on to Lavender. At least now Lavender had a chance of keeping him occupied. This was going to be a very long night if she couldn’t get away from him.

“Got a hot date?” Ginny asked, making her jump in fright.

“Why do you say that?”

“Only because your eyes keep darting to that tempus charm I know you cast on the inside of your wrist.”

She sighed. “Is it that obvious?”

Ginny giggled. “Not really. Why don’t you just go?”

“I don’t want to be gone forever.”

Ginny smirked. “How much time until the date?”

“Two minutes,” she growled in aggravation.

“Come to the ladies with me,” Ginny commanded and pulled her out the door. When they’d gotten a little ways down the hall, she let go. “Go on, off with you then.”

“Won’t that look suspicious?” Hermione hissed.

“No. I really do need the ladies. I’ll just say you weren’t feeling well.”

“Thanks Gin.”

Ginny grinned. “Have fun.”

Hermione returned her smile and darted down the hallway to the first abandoned classroom. Her heart was pounding with anticipation. She hadn’t done something this exciting during school activities in…ever. At least not purposely. She could smell him coming and couldn’t keep from creaming herself. Her thighs were soaked. The door opened and shut with a bang.

“Miss me?” Draco drawled and jerked his mask off.

“Gods yes,” she groaned, throwing her own mask across the room.

He clutched her close to him, rubbing his rock hard member into her stomach. “Fuck! Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you look right now? I want to rip everyone’s eyes out for daring to look at you. I think even a few of the first years are sporting wood for you!”

“Like you haven’t made every girl in that room cream themselves,” she whispered.

“Only one matters,” he whispered back. “And she’s right here.” He ran his fingers up her inner thigh and ran his fingers over her mound. “No knickers?”

Her breath hitched. “Can’t wear them with this dress.”

Draco’s eyes blazed indigo as he yanked her dress up and pushed her onto the nearest desk. He dove between her thighs, licking and nipping, attacking her clit with more vigor than he had since their first coupling. Her climax hit her quickly, making her arch and scream his name. She fuzzily hoped that he’d put up silencing charms when he’d walked through.

“Scream as loud as you want,” he mumbled against her clit, making her whimper. “No one will hear you.”

She wanted to make him lose control too, make him scream. “Let me,” she pleaded.

“Let you what?” he asked, licking another swipe across her clit.

“Let me touch you…please? I want to hear you scream too.”

He pulled back, standing up and dropping a soft kiss on her lips. “You ask so prettily pet. How can I resist? Go on then, suck me.”

She felt a thrill shoot up her spine, his pleasure at her request making her dizzy with happiness and lust. She could feel the approval mixed with his desire. He wanted this as much as she did. She dropped to her knees, not caring about the sharp stones on the floor and ran a hand over the tented material of his trousers. They molded to him almost like a second skin and she couldn’t help but admire them.

“Get on with it,” Draco growled.

She smirked, realizing that he was quickly losing control. Still, she did as she was told and carefully freed him from his cloth prison, growling in delight when she realized he lacked pants. She ran her hand over his length, watching a drop of pearly liquid form on the tip. It was almost purple with arousal and she couldn’t resist licking the drop up, shivering at his groan. It took her a few tries but she finally got a rhythm down, sighing in pleasure when he started moaning. She sped up, swallowing every now and then when he hit the back of her throat. His hands found his way to her hair, controlling her speed until his hips jerked erratically. He loosened his grip as he came with a hoarse shout but didn’t let her go. It didn’t matter. She was going to swallow regardless.

“I can’t get enough of you,” he panted, pulling her off the ground.

“We have to get back soon or they’ll send a search party,” she rasped.

“Hang them,” he growled, capturing her lips in a fiery kiss.

“I want to,” she groaned, pushing him off her. “But we still have work to do. After though, after I’m all yours.”

“Yes you are,” he hissed, kissing her again before pulling away. “Gods I want to fuck you so bad.”

“We don’t have time,” she said sadly, trying to pull her dress down from underneath her breasts.

“I beg to differ,” he said, a glint in his eyes.

Before she could protest, he had her pinned to the wall, legs wrapped around his waist, cock plunging into her core. He set a furious pace, hitting her clit every time. She was almost there, almost… A set of fangs punctured her neck, setting her blood on fire. The string she was hanging on by snapped, releasing a flood of pleasure through her veins. She screamed silently as Draco suckled a tiny amount of her blood before slamming into her a few times and releasing.

It took them a few minutes to separate, both of them dazed from the feeding. They managed to straighten their mess, though Hermione’s hair wasn’t quite the same and there was a stubborn crease in the back of Draco’s shirt where she’d clutched at his shoulders. Still, no one would be able to tell. They kissed tenderly a few moments before she returned to the Great Hall.

“Have fun?” Ginny whispered in her ear as she slunk over to their corner.

“Loads.”

“I can tell,” Ginny snickered. “Your hair is a mess. Here.”

Hermione thanked her for fixing her mane and then begged off. She had to catch up with her mother and father…if she could find them. It took her a moment. She hadn’t expected them to have dropped their age glamours but she had to admit, the affect was striking. Severus was dressed as Zorro, Melody as a Spanish maiden. They were happily chatting in a corner, looking for all the world as if they were students rather than teachers. Come to think of it, she hadn’t actually seen any of the other professors, though she could smell them.

“Have fun?” Melody asked slyly when she reached them.

“Fuck, is it that obvious?” Hermione asked, looking herself over.

“I heard Ginny,” Melody said with a grin. “And you smell like sex and him.”

Hermione took a tentative whiff of the air and smirked. “Says the pot.”

Melody snorted in laughter. “Never said I wasn’t black, kettle. Ready to make your debut?”

Hermione nodded though she suddenly felt a little nauseous. Draco told her she wasn’t singing alone, but he wasn’t in the Hall at the moment. She didn’t feel quite as brave without him.

“He’ll be here in a moment,” Melody said quietly.

Hermione nodded and allowed Melody to lead her onto the stage. Alex and Nancy were just finishing up and gave them hello hugs. Her pulse was racing, fear starting to overtake her rationality. She couldn’t do this. What if they laughed? She’d never live it down.

“Easy love,” Draco whispered in her ear.

Where in the hell had he come from? She turned to him to ask and was struck dumb. The only thing he had done was charm his hair a few shades darker. Joy bubbled up inside her at his change of heart despite how close he was to revealing everything. She wanted him again, her fears about singing quickly forgotten. He pointed out the track to the DJ and took her hand, trying to reassure her with a smile though she could feel the fear radiate from him.

Hermione almost choked when she saw the title of the song come up. Was he trying to kill her? That smug smirk on his face said it all. He was teasing her, the bastard. As the first strains of the song came on, she took a deep breath and prepared to give the performance of her life. If he wanted to up the ante, she’d pull out all the stops.

Here we are, the two of us together

Takin’ this crazy chance to be all alone

We both know that we should not be together

‘Cause if we’re found out, it could mess up both our happy homes

She could see the faces of those who knew who she was. Every last one had their mouths hanging open in shock. Her voice wavered a bit but Draco clutched her hand tighter, grounding her. He came in at the perfect time and she got lost in the rich sound of his voice. He wasn’t looking at the crowd though. He was staring straight into her eyes.

I hate to think about us all meeting up together

‘Cause soon as I look at you it will show on my face

Then they’ll know that we’ve been loving each other

We can’t let ‘em know, no, no, no, we can’t leave a trace

She smiled and continued on, forgetting about the crowd. It was just them up there, no one else. She silently hoped that no one would figure out who Draco really was but there was a small part that wanted to tell the world. This highly intelligent and multitalented man was hers. She sang a little stronger coming into the chorus with him.

Secret lovers, yeah, that’s what we are

Trying so hard to hide the way we feel

‘Cause we both belong to someone else but we can’t let go

‘Cause what we feel is oh, so real₁

They almost jumped off the stage in fright when the song ended. The applause had taken them completely by surprise. Melody took their microphones with the largest grin they’d ever seen her have. She followed their performance with Cold Hearted Snake, which made Severus scowl and the rest of the family crack up. The next song was a slow one and Draco took the opportunity to spin her around the dance floor.

“Won’t your house mates get suspicious?” she whispered as he held her closer.

“They don’t know I’m here yet.”

“Ron knew it was you,” she hissed.

“And that’s why I charmed my hair darker. I’ll sneak out in a little while and return as myself, maybe hurl some insults and whatnot.”

“What is Malfoy going as?”

“A muggle gangster.”

Hermione’s jaw dropped open at the admission which made Draco laugh and drop a kiss on her lips.

“Hey, it’s okay. Everyone was looking at pictures for the ball and came upon an old picture of Bonnie and Clyde. We agreed that they had style for muggles and I declared that was what I was going to go as, but that I’d be fashionably late.”

Hermione sighed. “I think you’d look hot in a fedora.”

“Well, I’ll be sure to seek out the siren then.”

They danced until ten when half of the students gloomily made their ways to their dorms, protesting the entire way. No one could blame them. The party had been a huge success. Loads of students had tried their hand at karaoke, some wonderful, some completely horrid, but all having a blast. She and Draco never went up to sing again, but they didn’t have to. Even Nancy and Alex were out of a job and had decided to take several spins around the dance floor.

“I’ve got to go love,” he whispered in her ear.

“I know,” she said miserably. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll still be here you know.”

“But not where I can kiss you for the world to see.”

Draco hummed and leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss so fiery other people in the room gasped. He clung to her, knowing that this was the only time he’d be able to do this in public before the war. After, well, he’d make sure the world knew that Hermione Granger was his forever. One last peck on the lips and he was gone.

Hermione wandered to the back corner, trying not to cry at Draco’s departure. It had to be done but the evening had been absolutely perfect. Now she felt bereft and alone. A presence to her left caught her attention. Thankfully, a glance revealed a still awed Harry and Ginny.

“You two look amazing together,” Ginny said quietly.

Harry nodded and ran a hand through his hair, knocking his headpiece sideways. “You didn’t tell us you could sing.”

Hermione smiled weakly. “You never asked. I used to love doing karaoke with my family.”

“Ron is positively fuming,” Ginny said angrily. “He’s convinced that it was Malfoy, though he did charm his hair darker I noticed. Anyway, no one else really believes him. They’re all thoroughly gob smacked that you got up and sang though. You’re the heroine of Gryffindor!”

Hermione laughed. “Well, Draco Malfoy is about to make an appearance so that should put Ron’s worries to rest. And I can’t imagine singing a song would make me a heroine.”

“You were brave enough to do it,” Ginny pointed out. “None of us had the guts to try it until you did.”

Hermione cleared her throat uncomfortably. “Um…how many people exactly know who I am?”

Harry rubbed his neck nervously. “News sort of travels fast.”

“Especially with my big mouth brother,” Ginny growled.

“So the entire school then,” Hermione said, feeling kind of sick all the sudden.

Harry pulled her in for a comforting hug. “Let’s just say that most of the school has gotten a new look at the old bookworm and they can’t believe it.”

“Brilliant,” she muttered.

“When are you guys leaving?” Harry whispered in her ear.

“Twenty minutes until curfew. Draco will slip out a few minutes later to send a letter confirming my disappearance. We’ll leave right after.”

Harry nodded. “Come and find me before you leave please.”

She barely nodded when he doors opened again and a fuming Draco walked through them. Well, he looked fuming but she could tell he wasn’t. His emotions were more in line with him trying to put on an act. He stormed over to the refreshment table and snatched a few finger sandwiches up before jerkily filling a glass of punch and making his way over to a small table set up in the corner for those who wanted to sit while eating.

Hermione studied his new attire. It wasn’t much different from the devil suit but she could make out the differences. For one, his shirt was Slytherin green. Of course it was. His suit had prominent silver pin striping on it and a matching fedora with a green hat band sat crooked on his mussed hair. He was still bloody gorgeous.

“Stare any longer and people are going to pick up on it,” Harry warned her.

“Sorry,” she squeaked and tried to tear her eyes away from him. It was easier when she saw a group of people approach him. Easily recognizable were Goyle and Crabbe who had gone as Roman guards. She silently stood holding onto Harry while listening to them.

Zabini’s voice floated over to her. “So, decided to make it did you?”

“Not by choice,” Draco snapped. “Bloody house elves are all catering the bleeding ball and I was starving.”

“Well you missed one hell of a show,” Not guffawed. “Mudblood Granger proved she cleans up well. Got up and sang a bit, even danced with some bloke. The Weasel seems to think it was you.”

“Bollocks,” Draco snapped. “I’ve been…otherwise engaged all bloody evening. It was the perfect time, seeing as how everyone was here. I didn’t need a lookout.”

“Sorry Draco,” Crabbe muttered around a mouth full of biscuit. “But the-“

“Save it,” Draco hissed. “I’m just here to get some bleeding food and then I’m gone again.”

“Don’t you want to stay?” Pansy Parkinson cooed. “We could have a dance.”

“No I don’t want to stay,” Draco answered her in a mock nasally voice. “I’ve got things to do.”

She huffed. “You got dressed up to come down here.”

“Only because you can’t get in the bloody door without a costume. That doddering old fool charmed the fucking doors.”

“But you work all the time now,” Pansy pouted. “Why not relax and have some fun?”

“I don’t have time for this!” Draco bellowed, making half the hall turn and look at him. He glared at Pansy for a minute. “See what you did? Now they’ll know if I skip out.”

She batted her eyelashes at him. “Now you can stay. We could dance.”

“I’d rather eat flobberworms. Stay away from me Pansy.”

Draco jumped out of his chair and marched back over to the refreshment table, muttering to himself about clingy little chits and how much he wanted to strangle the one following him. Hermione had to stifle a giggle in Harry’s chest. Poor Draco.

“What was that all about?” Ron asked, eyeing Hermione as she clung to Harry.

Hermione jumped back guiltily, though she had nothing to be ashamed of. “Just Malfoy throwing a temper tantrum.”

“What?” Ron yelped. “But you… you and Malfoy were-“

“Were what?” Hermione snapped. “He just walked in with a chip on his shoulder and a face black as coal. Why in the bloody hell would you think we were even in the same room together?”

“But that bloke you were singing and dancing with-“

“Wasn’t him,” she snapped.

“Then who in the bloody hell was he?”

Hermione felt her fangs descend and she clamped her mouth shut, turning her face in case her eyes were glowing. Ginny let her know that they weren’t but her fangs weren’t cooperating. When Ron prodded her again, she thought she might actually attack him. She had to get away from him.

“It’s none of your bloody business who he was!” she shouted and stormed over to the refreshment table.

Draco might have been standing there with Pansy at the moment, but it was a far better predicament than staying any longer with Ron peppering her for information. The frustration of not being able to tell the truth was starting to wear on her. Why couldn’t Ron be rational like everyone else she’d told her secret to?

She shoved her way to the table, ignoring Pansy’s indignant screech at being fouled by a mudblood, and filled a glass with punch. She desperately wished it was blood. Her fangs still hadn’t gone away and she couldn’t get them to retract. They hadn’t been this unruly since she first learned how to use them.

“You’ve got to calm down sweetheart,” Alex muttered in her ear.

She sighed, relaxing a fraction and leaning against him the tiniest bit. “Can’t.”

He chuckled and brought a hand up to rub the knot of tension between his shoulders. “It’s hard, being so young and dealing with so much emotion, but you must.”

“I miss you.”

It was out of her mouth before she thought about it or the volume of her voice. Pansy obviously overheard it. The disdain dripping from her every word was thick enough to taste.

“Well, well. Looks like Gryffindor’s virgin princess is getting to be quite the whore.”

Draco snorted. “You need your eyes checked Pansy. That isn’t Granger.”

“Oh but it is Drakey.”

“Don’t call me that,” Draco hissed, making Pansy jump a bit. “And that couldn’t possibly be Granger. She’s too uptight to wear something like…that.”

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief that Draco had come to her rescue…and that her fangs decided to start obeying her again. She did have to stick up for herself though, and sadly put Draco in his place. She also had to dig herself out of the rumors sure to spring up without alluding to the fact that Alex was actually a vampire. It took a few seconds for everything to click, but she smirked evilly enough to make Pansy do a double take.

“Never judge a book by its cover Malfoy,” she spat. “Though I’ve come to expect it from you.” She spun to face her grandfather. “Alex, I do miss you. Please tell your wife the same. And…and tell your grandson that I’m sorry he had to leave so early.”

Alex smiled brightly. “Ah Hermione, we miss you as well. I’m sure my grandson is cursing his luck right about now. You’ve seen so little of each other since the summer.”

She sighed sadly. “I know. I’ll see you over Christmas Hols though, right?”

“Of course. Must be off though. Cara will be wondering where I’ve gotten off to.” He bowed and walked off into the crowd.

“Grandson?” Pansy asked. “You’re dating a vampire’s grandson?”

Hermione stared at her blankly for a moment before bursting out into giggles. “Oh good grief Parkinson, it’s a costume party for Merlin’s sake. You didn’t honestly think…oh… you did. That’s too rich. Oh you are a bloody riot.”

“Shut up mudblood,” Pansy snapped.

Hermione laughed harder. “Is that all you’ve got. Honestly? You have to revert to name calling? That’s pathetic.”

Pansy stomped away in an outraged huff. Draco rushed to her, looking for all the world to be threatening her. However, his words were much different.

“You are to look frightened right now, though there should be a spark of defiance in your eyes,” he muttered. “Do you have your fangs under control?”

“Yes!” she spat, trying to act like they were fighting.

“Are you alright love?”

“I’m okay. Ron just made me angry… as usual.”

Draco smirked and loomed in closer, making her have to bend slightly to get away from him. “Merlin you look good enough to eat. I can’t wait to fuck you later.”

“It’s hard to act like I’m fighting with you when all I want to do is suck your cock,” she murmured, trying to keep a hard look on her face while she teased him.

“Keep it up pet and I’ll punish you,” Draco growled. “Now I want you to think of the worst insult you could possibly utter aloud and scream it at me as you walk away. I’ll laugh it off and that should get rid of this notion that it’s been me that you’ve been with all night.”

“I wish they knew,” Hermione sighed.

“Me too love. Now go.”

“Ugh!” Hermione screeched and stomped away. “You are a foul, disgusting, self-centered, self-righteous bastard Malfoy!”

Draco laughed. “What’s the matter Granger, hit too close to home?”

“At least I have a home to call my own Malfoy,” she spat. “Do you?”

“Keep playing dress up Granger. Maybe someone won’t look past the wrapper.”

Hermione spun around and shot him the two fingered salute, earning gasps from the entire room. She turned back around and inwardly cringed, hoping she didn’t just earn herself a month’s worth of detention. She just got caught up in the moment. At least they had gained everyone’s attention with the fight. The rumors would be squashed by morning, if not the end of the dance.

“Impressive,” Ginny said, barely containing a snicker.

“Got to kill the rumors,” Hermione muttered darkly.

“What did he really say?” Harry asked.

Hermione smirked. “You really want to know?”

Harry paled. “Uh, no. No, keep it to yourself.”

“Wise choice,” she said smugly and urged them back out on the dance floor.

She drifted along the edges of the hall, watching the proceedings… and the clock. The rumors about her and Draco were still going strong so she finally bit the bullet and started dancing with other guys. She eventually accepted a dance with McLaggen but wished she hadn’t. He was treading dangerously low and she warned him to keep his hands on her waist or she’d break them. Severus came to her rescue just before Draco blew his top and his cover. Luckily McLaggen didn’t have a clue he was handing his partner over to the bat of the dungeons.

“McLaggen?” Severus asked incredulously.

“Trying to squash a rumor,” she mumbled. “Now I just want to squash him.”

Severus chuckled. “Well, can’t fault you for that one. Shall I give him detention?”

“Please. Make him scrub the boys’ loo by hand…maybe with his tongue. Ugh. I can still feel his filthy fingers crawling all over my back. Make it stop.”

“Easy little one. It’s instinct. Someone other than your mate made a pass at you. It’ll pass.”

“When?”

“When your mate has you again.”

Hermione groaned and put her head on her father’s chest. “That’ll be ages.”

“Nonsense. We leave after this song.”

Hermione’s head shot up. “Is it that time already?”

He smiled at her. “Time flies when you’re fending off gentlemen callers.”

“More like lecherous trolls. I promised Harry I’d let him know when I left.”

He nodded. “Make sure you’re quite suspicious about it when you slip out. You want the Slytherins to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are up to something. Draco can then valiantly volunteer to find out what it is. Luckily, tonight is a weekend. He can disappear until Monday. That should give us plenty of time to come up with something.”

“I hope this works. I’m terrified.”

He sighed and held her a little tighter to his chest. “I am too child.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“Ever the Gryffindor.”

Hermione chuckled. “A little hope never harmed anyone.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Severus said. “But-“

Hermione felt her heart ache at the words he couldn’t say. She said it for him. “She’s your mate…and you love her more than life itself.”

He nodded. “What will I do if she-?”

“It won’t come to that,” she said fiercely. “We won’t let it.”

She meant it too. If she had to cast the Avada herself, Melody would walk away tonight. There was no way her family was going to be split up. No way.

AN: I figured they needed to have a bit of fun before facing Bellatrix. Now we'll get down to the hard part. As always, thanks to everyone for your reviews. They make time spent in the waiting room go by much faster. Keep them coming and let me know how I'm doing. Until next time... Love you guys.

*Oh and for those of you reading Fooling Fate, my muse and I had a rather large disagreement. I'll get it sorted as soon as I can. I won't be today, but I'll post the next chapter...promise.

1. The song is Secret Lovers by Atlantic Starr
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Beyond the Pale