Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126052 -:- Recommendations : 15 -:- Currently Reading : 31
Disclaimer: JK owns HP. Not me. I also don't own any quotes you might recognize. I make no money doing this, I just get the plot bunnies to quit interrupting my sleep.

Chapter List
- 47
- 48
- 49
To the Dark Lord,

I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.

R.A.B

Hermione had copied the note exactly as she read it in the fake locket that Harry and Dumbledore retrieved, and sent it to America for Harmony to look at. Perhaps she could shed some light on the situation. They were at a loss as to who R.A.B could possibly be.

Things with her friends had been tense at best. Harry had understood, partially at least. He knew that if Draco died, she would as well so he knew the motive behind his madness. Still, he was hard pressed to forgive her for knowing his intentions.

“I’ve been trying to convince him that we could fight it all year Harry and you and Ron weren’t exactly helpful. You openly hated him. How was he supposed to trust that you’d keep us hidden?” She sighed after yet another argument in the common room.

Harry’s mouth had snapped shut at that. She could see the guilt seep into his eyes and she felt lower than a slug at that moment in time. Still, he’d softened up a bit. Ginny had understood from the start, even though she was justifiably angry. She’d sat with Hermione until she’d regained consciousness the next morning after Draco’s torture and then screamed until she was red in the face. She ran out of steam after a while and then they both cried for their losses, knowing what would happen next. Ron was still standoffish, not truly understanding the significance of her separation from Draco.

Hermione felt like there was a huge boulder on her heart. She felt hollow, empty, and on edge. It had only been three days and she was having a hard time trying to keep her magic under control. She’d set fire to a school owl only moments ago while trying to get her missive to Harmony. She had no clue what she’d do if she couldn’t be with Draco soon. She knew he was safe though.

They talked through their link every night when he was sure he was safe from Voldemort prying in his mind. After his initial punishment, he was welcomed back with open arms. Well, if one didn’t include the fact that the Dark Lord had inhabited his home now and made him do unspeakable things to innocent muggles. Most of the time, he’d just take their ability to feel pain away and order them to scream and thrash while he held his wand on them. It was all he could do at the time to spare them. Melody had been charming them to look dead and offering to take the bodies out and hide them. She’d let them escape and find them places to go. It was a good system, if inefficient.

Dumbledore’s funeral was today. She hoped he could come for it, at least as a bird or polyjuiced as Roman. Anything was better than the nothingness she felt from him right now. He was completely silent.

“Miss me?” A whisper played in her ear.

She whipped around to see Draco standing behind her in the owlery. “Oh Draco!” She whispered and threw herself at him.

“We haven’t much time love,” he said softly. “Meet me in the forest right after the funeral. We’ll only have a moment but I can’t bear another second without you.”

Hermione cleared the tears that were now streaming down her face and nodded. Draco transformed again and flew off to the forest. She knew he’d be there most of the day, her frayed nerves acknowledging their proximity. She walked back to the common room with a heavy heart and nervous anticipation.

The funeral was beautiful. There were several speakers and all the creatures of the forest came and paid their respects. Hermione was in turmoil. She was trying so hard to cry but the tears were just not coming. It looked like she was absolutely heartless. Even Ron was tearing up and she just couldn’t muster up the strength. That wasn’t the Headmaster lying in the tomb. It was a log. How did one mourn the passing of a log?

She sighed heavily and tried to set her face in a mask of despair. Ron misread her frustration for sadness and snaked his arm around her. She froze, fearing what would come next. What were his intentions? If they were anything remotely more than simply offering comfort, he’d be shocked so hard they’d jump out of their seats.

Luckily, his pat on her shoulder did nothing. She released a heavy breath and relaxed a bit, still keeping her careful mask in place as the final speaker came forward. She closed her eyes and found herself in Draco’s mind, watching the funeral from the forest. Oh how she wished she could be there with him.

Finally, the funeral came to an end and everyone started mingling around. She tried to make a bee line for the forest but was being stopped every few feet by either a student or an adult wanting to meet Hermione Granger, one third of the Golden Trio. She was about to hex the next person to apprehend her when a miracle happened.

Harry and Ginny decided to ‘break up’ in a rather loud and public fashion. The last few weeks of school, they’d given up all pretense of pretending to go out, the temptation just too much. However, now they were faced with scrutiny and Harry was about to be a wanted man. They decided to put up the front that they’d broken up with no hopes of reconciliation so Ginny wouldn’t be such a tempting target. As sister to a third of the Golden Trio, she’d still be a person of interest but at least this would lessen the attention.

Hermione took that chance to run into the forest, casting a charm to obscure her from sight as she went. She ran until her lungs burned, knowing that Draco had gone further into the forest to keep from being spotted. Finally, she felt his magic near her and she slowed down, panting from exertion and anxiety. If they were caught, they’d be killed for sure.

“Hello love,” Draco whispered in her ear. She fell back against his chest, a sob of relief escaping her. “I can only stay for a few minutes.”

“It’s more than I expected,” she sniffled and turned around to hold him. The feeling of his warm chest against her cheek, his heartbeat thudding in her ear, calmed her immediately. She didn’t want to let him go but knew they didn’t have much time. Wanting to make the most of it, she pulled away and jerked his head down into a heated kiss.

Not breaking the kiss, Draco picked her up and pushed her back against the nearest tree. He meant it when he said they only had a few minutes. He’d been granted leave to stick around for the funeral but nothing else. If he was any later, he’d be punished for sure. A few minutes lapse could be blamed on trying to escape the sheer number of people attending. Any more would be risking exposure.

His blood was boiling with the prospect of having his wife again. His magic, although used quite regularly, was at the tipping point and he desperately needed her balance. Knowing she was ready, he ripped her knickers away, undid his trousers, and slammed inside her. This would be no leisurely coupling. It would be hard, fast, and a bit painful.

Hermione groaned at the feeling of being stretched again. She felt the nervous tension in her magic ease and cried in relief as Draco pounded into her over and over. The harsh scraping of the tree bark against her back didn’t even register. Her pleasure was drawn as tight as a bow string until finally it snapped, her body jerking harshly from the overload of ecstasy. Draco came at the same time, growling into her neck to muffle the sounds. They tried to keep it in but the bright light of their coupling flooded the forest, lighting up the normally gloomy surroundings to daylight conditions.

They still needed more though. One time in three days after being separated by hundreds of miles was not enough. Praying they could stop before they harmed themselves, they sunk their fangs in each other and drank deeply. It was all they could do to pull out after their next orgasm and lick the wounds clean. Shouts sounded in the forest, no doubt from the local inhabitants trying to find the source of the sudden illumination. Draco gently put Hermione down and gave her one last kiss before cleaning and tidying himself up and apparating away.

Hermione quickly righted herself as best she could. Her knickers were a lost cause, shredded beyond repair. “What was that light?” She heard a deep voice boom from behind her. It was Firenze, the centaur Divination Professor. His white blonde hair and crystal blue eyes made Hermione’s heart pang for Draco.

“Erm, just um, practicing some spells,” Hermione stuttered.

Firenze smiled softly at her. “I can recognize a child of Nemesis when I see them, Mrs. Malfoy.”

Hermione stopped breathing. How did he know? Would he turn her in? Oh dear Merlin what now?

“I saw it in the stars Mrs. Malfoy,” Firenze said softly, gazing into the now darker sky. “Two young stars were born some time ago, each a force in opposite energies. They threatened to consume each other, almost burning out before coming together to form a sun. Your bonding is a boon to us. We do not treat that lightly.”

“I…don’t understand,” Hermione squeaked. “Why haven’t you said anything?”

Firenze cocked his head. “Much like the twins, we are bound by what we are and are not supposed to speak of. The others prefer to bury their heads and wait for the destinies to sort themselves out. I am not quite like them. I prefer to help them along.”

“So…you are going to help us?” Hermione asked cautiously.

“In a way,” Firenze nodded. “Right now, you must get back as your absence has been noticed.”

Just then, someone shouted her name. She closed her eyes in annoyance. “Thank you Professor.”

“Just call me Firenze. And Mrs. Malfoy, should you ever need to find a quick refuge, there are those in the forest that will look the other way.”

“Thank you again…Firenze,” Hermione said with a soft smile.

“Anytime.” He bowed and trotted off in the direction of the voices. She heard him exclaim that he’d found her and explain that she just needed a few moments to herself.

When she emerged, she was bombarded with reporters and professors alike. She was berated for going off alone in the forest and asked a million questions about how she felt about the late Headmaster Dumbledore’s death. She gave a scowl dark enough to rival her blood father and stalked through the crowds, not stopping until she got up the Gryffindor tower. Once she was there, she bowed her head on her bed and cried for all the things she couldn’t help.

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“Come on Hermione, dear, let’s get you settled,” Molly said kindly when Hermione trudged through the door. She was so tired, so jittery, and utterly empty that she couldn’t even manage a smile for the Weasley matriarch. Draco hadn’t been able to get away for the last few days so her magic was more than unbalanced. They were having a very hard time sharing magic that far away.

It had been the very definition of hell in her mind. She relived Draco’s horrors at night. He’d shut her out during the day time so she wouldn’t have to deal with his emotions on top of hers but he had to sleep sometime. When she would lie in bed at night, they’d speak at length and then she’d experience his nightmares. She hoped she wouldn’t feel so out of sorts at the Burrow since it was closer to the Manor.

Ginny gave her a sad smile as Molly led her upstairs to unpack. The plucky redhead had really been her saving grace, running to her in the early hours of the morning when she woke up screaming yet again. Hermione had never wished to reveal the truth more than in those moments when Ginny would rock her back and forth and assure her that everything would be fine.

“Now dear,” Molly said, closing the door to Ginny’s bedroom and warding it against prying ears. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m sorry?” Hermione choked out. She hadn’t expected Molly to corner her alone at the Burrow.

“I know that you and the Malfoy boy and Severus were very close,” Molly began unsteadily. Hermione stiffened, bracing herself for her questions. “And I know that you had some problems in the hospital wing that night. I was just, well dear, are you okay? I mean, I know it must have come as quite a shock to you.”

Hermione took a steadying breath. “I’ll be fine. I just have to come to terms with everything.”

Molly nodded and patted her cheeks. “Well dear, if you need to talk, I’m here.”

“Thank you Mrs. Weasley,” Hermione said softly and let out a sigh as Molly left the room. She really needed to talk to someone but couldn’t. She was utterly alone until Draco opened the connection again and even then, he wasn’t physically there. No matter how much she wanted him to be there, he couldn’t. She sighed again and plopped down on the bed, wondering for the hundredth time if it was better to sneak away and live as a hummingbird with Draco until the new school year.

“You’re awfully maudlin,” a feminine voice called out. Hermione jumped off the bed and spun wildly to locate the source. Melody was in the corner, lounging against the wall as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

“Merlin you scared me. How did you get in here?”

“The wards are set to people, not animals. Remember?” Melody asked as she pushed off the wall and walked towards her. She had a distinct limp and the closer she got, the more apparent her black eye was.

“Good Gods what happened to you?”

“Lucius decided it was high time to pay me back for my perceived crimes.” Melody grimaced as she sat down on the bed. “Don’t worry. I didn’t even have to handle it. Draco hexed him to hell and back. Better still, it was in front of the Dark Lord.”

“Oh no,” Hermione breathed.

“Oh, don’t worry. Moldy Shorts thought it was hysterical. Draco’s his new favorite toy now. He even got permission to leave tonight. I’m supposed to be seeing a heeler but I thought I’d stop by to let you know about him. Of course, there is one other thing that you might find of interest.”

“What?” Hermione asked, not even asking before she slipped the cloak off of Melody and started healing her bruises and scrapes.

“I got a visit from a little white nosed bat last night. He made it.”

Hermione froze in shock. “He’s alive?”

“Yes ma’am. There was no permanent damage. He sends his thanks for a brilliant performance from your husband and a book for you to read over, notes in the margins and all that. If you have any questions, owl Harmony.” Melody sat a tattered old book down and Hermione rolled her eyes when she noticed it was The Tales of Beetle the Bard.

“I don’t have an owl,” Hermione frowned. “And Pig can’t make it to America. Hedwig is too noticeable.”

“I figured you’d say that.” Melody grinned. “So I’m having Harmony send Archimedes. We use the mirrors so we don’t have a need for him. Keep him as long as you need. Take him with you if you decide to leave. He’s been told that you are his new master. He’s thrilled.”

“I can’t take him,” Hermione gasped. “He’s your owl.”

“And he’s horribly bored. Let him do this Hermione. He really is excited.”

“Okay, I guess…but how am I going to explain him?”

“Gift for yourself? I mean, you need one right?”

“Well, yes,” Hermione said hesitantly as she ran her hand down Melody’s leg. The older woman hissed when she got to her knee. “I think it’s dislocated.”

“Wonderful,” Melody grimaced. “Well, put it back in. We’ve showed you how.”

Hermione nodded and took a deep breath. Part of their training had been basic healing. Between what Draco had learned from having to patch his mother up and what Alex and Philippe taught them, they could handle most basic healing and even some advanced things as well. Melody’s eyes came to mind. She briefly thanked her newfound strength when she heard the crack of Melody’s knee going back into place. There was no way she could have done that before.

“Thanks,” Melody hissed. “Fucking Lucius. When he finally removes all those boils from his ass, I’m going to make sure his dick crawls up there and dies.”

“That’s rather…graphic,” Hermione said, turning a bit green.

“You should see what Draco did to him,” Melody said with a strange light in her eye. “He cursed him for a coward to beat up an unarmed blind woman. He said that he’d always been a coward and he was sick to even think himself a Malfoy. I don’t think Sev’s ever been so proud of him. He was practically floating on clouds when I left.”

“I’m glad he stood up for himself,” Hermione sighed and started applying pain spells to Melody’s knee.

“It’s the first time he’s ever done so against Lucius. He’s his own man now Hermione and he has you to thank for that.”

“I doubt that.”

“He never would have had the courage to do it if you weren’t in his life. You’re perfect together.” Melody sighed sadly. “I’m afraid my time is almost up. Ron’s headed up the stairs, no doubt to cause you more grief.”

“He’s so angry with me,” Hermione lamented and threw a locking spell at the door to allow them more time together. “He blames me for Draco, said I should have never trusted him. He’s convinced that this whole thing was a ruse to get into my knickers and inside our heads. He didn’t even stop to think that Draco is privy to everything we’ve been doing. He could have turned us in before Christmas for Merlin’s sake.”

“Grief is a hard process. Ron’s dealing with it in typical Ron fashion, get angry and blow up. I’m sorry you have to deal with it though. How’s Harry and Ginny?”

“They’re great…together. Ginny forgave me the next day for Draco. She understood. She’s still having a hard time with Severus though. I think the pull of the daywalker is really having an effect on her though. She can’t come to terms with her father killing his best friend.”

Melody nodded. “It’s part of the bond. She can’t turn against him fully. It’s why we’ll have Alex with us when we tell Harry everything. Alex can control him subtly. As his wife, I’m sort of safe. How’s Harry taking everything?”

“I told him what Severus said, that Draco couldn’t trust them and that I had been trying to convince him otherwise. It felt horrible but he believed me. He’s completely torn about Severus though. He can’t see how he could train us half the year and then turn around and kill Dumbledore. I don’t want to point out that if he’d truly turned, we’d be in front of You Know Who right now.”

“Well, right now his allegations need to spread around. The Ministry has already been set in motion to declare him Headmaster of Hogwarts so he’ll be able to watch over the children that return. The problem is that the Carrows have been awarded teaching spots there. I’m going too but I’m not teaching DADA. I’ll be an assistant to Minerva, which is going to be something because I’m pretty sure that woman despises me.”

Hermione giggled. “How do you know she doesn’t like you?”

“Well, her and Tonks got to talking about my rather foul mouth at Christmas time and she’s been cold to me ever since. Maybe it’s an American thing.” Melody shrugged. “Either way, we’re going to be working double time to try and protect those children. With Ginny and Draco, we’ll have a better chance but it’s going to be hard.”

“Can we at least give Ginny a hint that Severus is still on our side? I just…I need someone to talk to or I’ll go mad!” Hermione cried in shame. She hated being so weak.

“Hey sweetie, it’s okay. If you think she can keep it a secret, we’ll give her a clue. No one must know about the resurrection though.”

“Thank you,” Hermione breathed. “Now she’s just got to believe me.”

“Well, here’s your chance,” Melody said, frowning at the door. “Looks like she’s gone up to have a little chat with dear Ronald about his bullying you.”

“Wonderful.” Hermione rolled her eyes.

“Well, we could always let him see your pet spider. I’m sure he’d find a new hobby quite quickly.” Melody grinned.

“Are you in any shape to turn?”

“I’ve been worse, trust me. Just stay still and let me crawl on and we’ll go say hi to the weasel.” Melody transformed into a brown recluse and scurried up Hermione’s offered hand. Her gait was a bit stilted from her knee injury but she managed alright.

Hermione swung the door open just as Ron opened his mouth to shout at Ginny. “What are you two doing out here?”

“I live here,” Ron growled.

“And this is my room so get out Ron,” Ginny yelled.

“I want to talk to Hermione,” he said belligerently.

“Fine Ronald, what did you want to say?” Hermione sighed and held her hand higher. Ron started spouting off about where her true loyalties were. She tuned him out, instead bringing a finger to play with Melody. She really was a beautiful spider. Her jade colored eyes made a striking feature, especially eight of them.

“What is that?” Ron asked, horrified when he realized what she was ignoring him for.

“Oh, I just found it under the bed. It’s kind of cute, don’t you think?”

“No!” Ron squeaked. “Get rid of it!”

“I will not,” Hermione growled. “I think I’ll keep it as a pet.”

“I’m not coming near you with that thing,” Ron said, backing away, his face white as a sheet.

“Suit yourself but I’m not getting rid of it. I need a friend who actually listens,” she sneered, turning to go back into the room. Ron’s wide open jaw clamped shut and he stormed down stairs. Ginny followed her inside cautiously and closed the door.

“Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Actually, yes there is Gin. Could you lock the door?” Hermione asked while placing Melody back on the bed.

Once the lock was on, Melody transformed back. “Miss me?”

Ginny covered her mouth in shock and shook her head. She was unsure of what she was supposed to do. “You…you’re a traitor. Aren’t you?”

“We’ll I’d hardly be here if I was,” Melody said flatly. “I came to see how you were holding up.”

“But…but…Dumbledore,” Ginny cried.

“Not everything is as it seems,” Melody said gently. “Let’s just say that there is more at work here than Severus looking like a turncoat.”

“He killed Dumbledore. Harry saw it.”

“He did,” Melody said, not specifying which part she meant. “Like I said, there is more at work here than what meets the eye.”

“Fa-Snape isn’t a traitor?”

Melody smiled. “You can still call him father sweetheart. He’s no traitor.”

“But Dumbledore,” Ginny breathed, collapsing on her bed.

“It was a tragic event,” Melody acknowledged. “But it had the desired result. Draco’s mom and Hermione are safe. Severus is now firmly in the Dark Lord’s good graces. We’ll be able to supply the Order with a wealth of information and stop many more deaths from happening.”

“So KILLING him was a strategic move?” Ginny cried in outrage.

“War isn’t pretty,” Melody said gravely. “If it helps, Dumbledore had already been poisoned before Severus got there. He was in sad shape.”

“Harry said that he had to drink something to get the locket,” Ginny said to herself. Her voice was hollow.

“A poison. The antidote of which takes five days of consuming more poisons to reverse the effects. If the original poison hadn’t killed him, the cure might very well have.”

“So it was mercy then,” Ginny hiccupped. “Dumbledore was begging him to do it.”

Melody blinked. “You rival Hermione sweetheart but here’s the rough part. You must tell no one. I mean it. I’ll get your solemn vow if I must. Not a word can be breathed or we risk losing our edge.”

“You knew the whole time,” Ginny said softly as she looked at Hermione. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It had to be believable,” Hermione said miserably. “The emotions, they can’t be faked. I couldn’t even cry at his funeral for Merlin’s sake.” She plopped down on the bed and held her head in her hands. “I want this to be over.”

“We’re doing our best sweetheart. Did you send Harmony that clue?” Melody asked gently.

“Yes but she doesn’t have any idea who R.A.B. could have been,” Hermione cried. “We’ve hit a dead end.”

Melody traced her lips with her finger for a bit. “I’ll run it by Sev and see if he can come up with something. We won’t give up. Don’t you start.”

“Did Draco tell you about the centaurs?” Hermione asked suddenly. “They know.”

Melody nodded. “I figured they did. However, if it’s one thing you can trust about centaurs, they won’t tell a soul. I’ve got to go now. Remember, Draco will be coming over tonight. Leave the window open.”

“Thank you,” Hermione whimpered and gave the elderly woman a hug.

“No, thank you. My knee feels great and I don’t have a shiner. You should consider going into healing. I think you and Draco would be an unstoppable team. I mean, you’ve already mended my eyes, my bones, and Merlin knows what else.” Melody laughed. “Keep us posted sweetheart and I’ll let you know if Sev’s heard of an R.A.B before. Bye for now girls. I’ll keep in touch.”

“Bye!” They called out as she transformed into a bird and flew out the opened window.

“You could have told me,” Ginny growled.

Hermione’s face fell. She was absolutely miserable. “I’m sorry Gin. They forbid it.”

Ginny sighed and pulled her down on the bed to give her a hug. “I guess I understand. I just hate that you have to keep secrets from me.”

“Trust me; I don’t like it any better.”

They sat on the bed for a long while, just rocking back and forth and thinking about what was and what would be.

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“Enjoy your night,” Voldemort hissed as Draco took his leave.

“Thank you Milord,” Draco said as reverently as he could. It was all he could do not to take off at a dead run out of the Manor. Once he was outside the gates, he looked around for Melody. She’d promised to check him for tracking charms. Her eyes were much better than detection spells.

“There’s one on your cloak,” she said softly as she stepped out from the small grove of trees just beyond the gates. She lifted her hand and made a cutting motion followed by a snap. “There. Now it’ll look like you’re going to find a prostitute with the last group that left here.”

“Disgusting,” Draco sneered.

“And acceptable behavior for a Death Eater.”

“How are you?” Draco changed the subject quickly. He didn’t want to think about what he was right now.

“I’m terrific. She patched me up good as new. Like I told her, you two should go into healing. You’d make a hell of a team.”

Draco thought about it for a moment. He wouldn’t mind being a healer, helping people. It was something that he could do to make amends. He’d have to think seriously about it. “I’ll keep it in mind. I need to leave now. Send word if something changes.”

“Keep your watch on,” Melody said softly before she disappeared into the trees again. The Dark Lord wasn’t concerned with her whereabouts most of the time since she was Severus’s slave. Still, she had to stick close to avoid suspicion.

Draco thought about his father as he apparated to Ottery St. Catchpole. That bastard had blindsided Melody, walked right up and started beating her to bloody ribbons. He couldn’t help himself and snapped. It didn’t matter that the Dark Lord was there in that moment. He cursed his father for a coward and tossed every painful hex he could think of short of an Unforgivable. The Dark Lord had laughed though, pleased with how disgusted he was at his father. He’d granted him a boon and allowed him leave for the night to have some fun.

Well, he’d have fun alright, with his wife. She was the only thing that had kept him going the past week. The things he’d had to do in the last week alone made him sick. He didn’t have any other choice though. It was a good thing he could cast a nonverbal imperio without his wand. He might break if he actually had to curse the poor muggles that the Dark Lord had captured.

He finally hit the edge of town and transformed into a hummingbird. It was almost dark now. He had the entire night to spend with her. Anticipation fueled him to fly faster. He saw the open window and felt her presence. When he landed, he cursed himself for an idiot. Red was in the room with her. They were playing exploding snap and now there was no way he could back out because she’d spotted him.

“It’s okay Draco. She knows you’re innocent,” Hermione said softly and got up to pick him up off the sill.

He relaxed marginally and hopped onto her shoulder, giving her cheek a nudge with his beak. Gods he had missed her. She smelled wonderful, like spring and vanilla. Her magic enveloped him and he felt calm once again.

“Um Gin, is there somewhere-“

“The river just beyond the hill is nice this time of year. Just keep to the west side and stay behind a few trees and you’re golden,” Ginny said with a grin.

“Thanks Gin,” Hermione breathed and made for the front door. Ron started yelling at her to come back but Molly scolded him quite harshly and she escaped.

Draco transformed as soon as they were out of site, picked her up and swung her around, relishing her delighted squeals. There was no time for talking. He ripped his cloak off and threw it down on the ground, hastily changing it into a make shift mattress. He lowered her on it and followed, eagerly covering her lips with his own. He barely managed to keep his head long enough to put up privacy wards before undressing them both and plunging into her welcoming heat.

“Oh Gods Draco,” Hermione moaned. “Missed you.”

“Missed you too love,” he grunted and thrust into her harder, scooting her across the mattress and dragging her back for more. He wanted to crawl inside her and never come out. Her fingernails clawing into his back caused him to lose his control. He plowed into her as hard as he could. She keened and moaned, begging for more until he was sure she’d break.

Hermione didn’t want him to stop. She could feel her climax nearing, the pleasure crescendoing to the point where she wanted to cry. Suddenly, she felt his fangs pierce her neck. She hadn’t even seen it coming, her eyes closed tight against the onslaught of pleasure. She bucked and screamed her release into the twilight, barely registering that he was still plunging into her at breakneck speed. When he finally pulled his fangs out, she’d reached her peak twice more and he still hadn’t let go.

Draco thought his lungs would burst from the tempo he’d set and he couldn’t bring himself to care. She was too much. Too much pleasure and too much warmth and he couldn’t stop, couldn’t let himself let go until she told him to quit. She didn’t though. Instead, she opened her eyes and stared into his. Their soft golden glow looked beautiful against the green grass and put the sunset to shame. She smiled and brought his head down for one last kiss before she sunk her fangs into his neck.

White hot pleasure enveloped him as he came with force. He didn’t know nor did he care if the light enveloped them. All that mattered at that moment was that he was where he was supposed to be, in the arms of his wife. When he was utterly spent, she licked her marks clean. He barely managed to scoot over the side before dropping unceremoniously on the mattress.

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep on like this,” she spoke softly into the night. They’d been there long enough to watch the sun set.

“Not being with you is driving me mad ma chére.” Draco sighed and rolled over, dragging her into his arms.

They stared at the emerging stars for a few minutes and contemplated the mess they were in. There had to be a better way than only seeing each other every few days. It was wreaking havoc on their magic, the separation bordering on physical pain. One day wasn’t so bad. The second was pushing it. By the third, they felt ready to murder someone to get at each other.

“I’m going to have to start sneaking out every night. It’s the only way,” Draco said resolutely.

“Will you be caught?”

“I highly doubt it. I just worry about him summoning me while I’m out. He usually has me do his bidding in the early afternoon but he’s been known to order a raid at any time.”

“Well, if he summons, you can just get dressed and apparate back, can’t you?”

“The Maner wards log everyone in and out. I’d have to bypass them…or permanently change them.”

“I’m pretty sure you can handle that,” Hermione chuckled.

“I suppose your right. I’ll get Melody to take a look at them and see if I can’t persuade them to change a bit.”

“We’d better get in Draco. They’ll send a search party out for me in a moment.”

“Right,” Draco said, reluctantly getting up and helping her stand. They sorted themselves out in quick fashion and he landed on her shoulder in hummingbird form the next moment. The walk to the burrow was a surreal one, the night sounds of chirping crickets and hooting owls almost enough to lure one into a false sense of security. Almost.

“Hermione! There you are! Where did you get off to? We’ve been worried sick!” Molly cried the second she walked through the door. Draco had covertly slipped under her mane of hair as she walked through the door to avoid detection. After all, Ron knew his form.

“I just needed a walk to clear my head and I sort of lost track of the time. I didn’t mean to worry anyone,” Hermione said, trying to inflict the proper amount of shame in her voice.

“We looked everywhere and couldn’t find you,” Ron said balefully. He was at the dinner table, pouting like a child.

“I was by the river,” Hermione said softly. “The view is lovely from there.”

“Yes, I go there myself sometimes to think,” Arthur said quietly, effectively quieting Ron.

“Well, no matter,” Mrs. Weasley dismissed. “You’re back now. Just don’t go making a habit of wandering off. It isn’t safe.”

“I know Mrs. Weasley. It won’t happen again,” Hermione said softly. “I think I’ll go to bed now. The walk kind of tired me out.”

“Of course dear. Sleep well.”

Hermione trudged upstairs as quickly as she could manage without causing suspicion and went straight to her room. Ginny was waiting there, poised over the desk, writing some sort of letter. No doubt, she was owling Harry. The separation had to be hard on them.

“About time you two. I was about to send up some of the twins fireworks.” Ginny snorted and continued writing.

“Lost track of time,” Hermione sighed.

Draco flew off her shoulder and transformed. “So, um, mind if I stay here tonight?”

“Go ahead,” Ginny said distractedly. “Just… please use silencing charms and hang some drapes or something.”

“I just want her in my arms,” Draco breathed and eyed the beds. Hermione pointed to hers and he immediately set to work hanging some sheets from the ceiling with sticking charms.

Hermione saw Ginny give a shuddering sigh and felt a pang in her heart. She knew how her friend felt and decided to do something about it. ‘Draco,’ She called out in her mind, hoping he’d opened the connection back up.

‘We’re in the same room love. What’s wrong?’

‘I want to help Ginny.’

‘With what?’

‘She misses Harry.’

‘And.’

‘Don’t be an arse! I want to help them get together, if only for a night.’

‘Do you have any idea how many people are paying attention to Potter right now? The use of any magic is being monitored. He’s got four Order members looking out for him at any moment and a dozen death eaters on top of that. Any movement will be regarded as suspicious.’

‘Any human movement or magic, right?’ Hermione thought cautiously.

‘Obviously. Wait. You want to sneak over there as an animagus?’

‘They wouldn’t be looking for a dog or a couple of birds, would they?’

‘Suppose not,’ Draco mused. ‘But we’ll need a plan. We can’t just go off half arsed and barge in.’

‘We’ll think on it a bit, yeah?’

‘Of course. I’ll ask Melody to help in the morning. For now, come to bed love.’

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione’s eyes popped open as the sounds of screeching filled the air. She jumped up a bit too quickly and groaned. She and Draco had gotten on a bit too roughly last night and she was paying for it this morning. A large warm hand covered her abdomen and suddenly, the cramps were gone. She smiled down at her husband as his eyes opened slowly.

“Better?” He whispered.

“Yes. Thanks.”

“What on earth is going on downstairs?” He asked, sitting up and wincing a bit before casting a few charms to heal the scratches on his back.

“I don’t know. They must have put up silencing charms because I didn’t hear anything after the scream.”

“Well, I hate to leave ma chére, but if I’m not back soon, the Dark Lord will have my head on a platter.”

“Of course,” Hermione gasped, jumping up quickly. She cleaned and dressed them with a snap of her fingers and then peeked out of the hanging sheets. The coast was clear so she took them down and folded them neatly for another time. She bent down to put her shoes on when she felt his hardness pressed up against her bum and gasped. “Again?”

“Always,” Draco growled. He’d taken her several times during the night and it still wasn’t enough. Unable to stop himself when she presented such a delicious sight, he crossed the room in two strides and pushed her up against the desk. He thanked the Gods that she was wearing a skirt that morning. A quick flip and jerk of her knickers and he was inside her. She was dripping already.

It was fast, hard, and perfect. He couldn’t stop himself from sinking his fangs into her neck when he felt himself peak. She grabbed his forearm in retaliation and sunk her teeth into him. Weak light emitted from their cores as they both succumbed to the pleasure. He’d just pulled out when they heard stomping coming from the stairs.

“That’s not the first time that strange light has come from her direction and I’m going to find out what it is once and for all,” Ron growled as he stormed up the stairs.

“She’s practicing her sun light spell you moron,” Ginny hissed. “Or have you forgotten that we’ll be up against vampires!”

“You’re covering for her,” Ron shouted and sped up.

Draco sighed and put him and his wife to rights before giving her a soft kiss. He transformed and flew out the window just as the arguing duo crashed into her room.

“Where is he?” Ron yelled.

“Who?” Hermione asked, a bit breathless from her last coupling. She tried her hardest to feign innocence.

“You glow like that when you are with that git. Where is he?” Ron shouted and ran to the window. “Did he fly off then?”

“Ron,” Hermione softly pleaded and scrambled for anything that she could blame it on. She happened to glance at herself in the mirror and noticed that she still had a bit of blood on her lips. Her neck had thankfully been healed but it gave her an idea. “It’s not him.”

“What?” Ron asked as he squinted into the morning sun to catch a glimpse of the bird he swore was out there.

“He’s not what makes me glow,” Hermione said even softer, trying to get his attention.

“What is it then?” He asked, finally realizing her docile demeanor.

“I was feeding,” she whispered and made a show of licking the blood off her lips.

Ron paled and squeaked, “On what?”

“Blood,” Hermione scoffed.

“Whose?”

“It’s his blood but he sent it to me by owl,” she explained, trying not to wring her hands nervously.

“Why would accept anything from that git?” He cried.

“You want me to feed on you?”

“I-NO!” Ron shouted.

“Then I will keep feeding from him.”

“He tried to kill Dumbledore!” Ron screamed.

“TO PROTECT ME!”

“BOLLOCKS!”

“He loves me Ron, no matter what you think,” She said, her eyes tearing up. She ran out the door before he could say anything else and made for the river. It wasn’t that she was really angry with Ron. It just hurt that she couldn’t tell him the truth. She settled for watching the sun rise as she leaned against a tree.

“That was interesting.” A soft male voice interrupted her solitude.

“Remus.”

“So this has been the plan all along, has it?”

“What plan?”

“To kill Albus,” Remus sighed and sat down beside her on the bank.

“That was Draco’s mission from the Dark Lord.”

“And he never thought to tell Albus?”

“I never said that,” Hermione sighed.

“So he did know, just like Harry said.” Hermione nodded miserably. “One question.”

“I don’t know if I can answer it.”

“Humor me,” Remus said softly.

“I’ll try my best,” Hermione whispered, fighting back tears once again.

“Can we still trust Severus?” Hermione’s head jerked around to look at him. “I’m not a fool Hermione. Albus told me that for some things in the future, it is best if I not look with my eyes but with my instincts. My instincts tell me that there is more going on here.”

Hermione nodded. “I trust him with my life but it is imperative that no one else know. He has to be firmly on their side. Only you and Ginny know otherwise.”

Remus nodded thoughtfully. “Draco was here last night.”

At her questioning look, he pointed to his nose. Of course, he could smell him. “Being away from him is sheer torture.”

“I can’t imagine,” Remus said sincerely. “If you ever need help to see him, let me know.”

Hermione nodded her thanks, her eyes fixed on the ripples in the water. “I need help, but not for us.”

“You want to sneak Ginny out to see Harry.”

“How?”

“I can smell their bond too,” Remus laughed. “There isn’t much you can keep from a werewolf…or a vampire for that matter. It is quite fortuitous that the vampires are on our side.”

“Not all of them,” Hermione sighed. “We might have taken out most of one clan but I’m certain there are others. That’s beside the point though. Ginny is absolutely miserable and I can’t imagine Harry is in much better shape.”

“It would have to be a coordinated effort. No doubt Draco told you how many eyes are on Harry at the moment.”

She nodded. “We’ll be using animagus forms to get around but we still need a diversion of some kind.”

“What is Ginny’s animagus?”

“A dog, a big one.”

“That’s not going to be easy,” Remus said sadly. “Still, we can try and come up with something. Dora and I have watch tonight along with Dung and Higgins.”

“Dung won’t be hard to get rid of,” Hermione snorted. “Give him a bottle of mead and he’d pass out straight away.”

Remus chuckled. “True. Higgins would be easily startled by a disturbance.”

“Well, that takes care of our side. Now we just have to wait for Draco to come up with a plan on their side. They’ve got six to take care of. If he can convince You Know Who to put him, Severus, and Melody on watch, we’d have half of them taken care of.”

“Let me know when you hear from him,” Remus said, getting up from the ground with a groan. “Not as young as I used to be,” he said sheepishly and reached a hand out to help her up.

“Thank you Remus…for understanding,” Hermione said softly before she gave him a hug.

Breakfast was tense. Ron glared at her as he stuffed his face. She lost her appetite pretty quickly and excused herself from the table. It was a few hours later while curled up with a charms book when she felt Draco push in her mind.

‘Melody, Severus, and I have guard duty tonight along with Crabbe, Goyle, and a new recruit. We can take care of them pretty quickly. They’re about as smart as a tree stump.’

‘That’s wonderful. Remus and Tonks are on watch tonight with Mundungus Fletcher and a green auror named Higgins. They’ll be easy to take out as well.’

‘It’s set then. You two apparate in a few streets away and transform. I’ll give the signal and you come when I give the all clear. She can sneak out when we change the guards. It won’t be watched as closely then.’

‘Thank you sweetheart,’ Hermione thought tenderly.

‘I expect you to perch on my shoulder tonight. It’s not quite a bed, but at least we’ll be together.’

‘It’s perfect,’ she sighed and set off in search of Remus to give him the plans.

Ginny was on pins and needles the rest of the day with the prospect of seeing her husband. She’d cried, and squealed, and buzzed around the house for a bit. She’d even transformed into her ridgeback form and ran a few laps around the house. Hermione had a good laugh at her antics while she thought of a good excuse for them to be absent but there wasn’t one.

Luckily for her, Remus had already thought that out. “Take these,” he said, handing her a couple of rolled up bundles.

“What are they?” Hermione asked, inspecting the rolls of clothes.

“Old tricks,” he said with a smile. “James and Sirius came up with them. When rolled out, they assume the form of a sleeping human, complete with breathing sounds. You just charm the face and hair to look like yours and it will be as if you never left.”

“That’s brilliant!”

“They were quite clever,” Remus said fondly. “Now, I’ve already spoken to Dora. She doesn’t know exactly what is going on, but she trusts me. You’re lucky you know. Molly is going to start preparing for Bill and Fleur’s wedding tomorrow. The screeching this morning was her upset over the plan that Dung came up with for Harry to escape, although…”

“Although what?” Hermione asked curiously. Remus had trailed off and was now rubbing his chin in thought.

“It’s a much smarter plan than Dung would normally create. It’s a bit too…Slytherin.”

“Does it feel a bit…batty?”

“That it does. I have a feeling it was planted by someone.”

“I’ll ask Remus but you know he’s tight lipped.”

“He is but as long as it works, we’ll be okay.”

“Out of curiosity, what is the plan?”

“Well, we’ll take it in seven teams. One partner from each team will polyjuice into Harry and take an Order member with them. That way, they won’t know who the real Harry is and will have to split up.”

“That’s brilliant. I’m in.”

“Draco might have something else to say about that,” Remus warned.

Hermione cocked an eyebrow. “He might be my husband Remus, but he is not my boss. Besides, he’ll probably be the one to pursue me since he’s on You Know Who’s buddy list now.”

“Why is that?”

“He hexed Lucius to hell and back and cursed him for a coward in front of You Know Who. He liked it so much, Draco got the night off and a spot higher up in the ranks.”

“Well isn’t that something,” Remus said. “I must be going now. To set those up, simply wave your wand over it in an “S” pattern and recite the spell animant fictus. Then just charm them accordingly.”

“Thanks Remus.”

“Anytime. Be ready to go around eight. I suggest faking an illness. I think I still have some puking pastilles that Fred and George gave me. Here.”

Hermione grinned and took the offered treats. “We’ll see you then.”

At dinner, Hermione slipped one of the pastilles in Ginny’s hand and winked. The redhead caught on immediately and slipped it into a bite of her mushy peas. They worked instantly, both of them getting violently sick. On the run up to the loo, they each took the antidote half. A quick wash up in the loo and a couple of assurances to Mrs. Weasley that they would be fine and they were left alone for the night.

Sneaking out of the house proved a bit tougher than they’d originally thought. There was yet another Order meeting in the kitchen that blocked their swift exit. After all, Ginny could hardly fly out the window. Luckily, Remus had stopped by to give a quick report before taking over guard duties and saw them. He successfully distracted everyone long enough for them to escape and apparate away.

“I’m scared Hermione,” Ginny whispered when they touched down in Little Winging.

“It’ll be fine. Just transform into the dog and we’ve only got a few streets to get through.” Hermione closed her eyes and double checked with Draco that everything was set. A loud bang sounded out, almost like a car backfiring. He then gave her the all clear and they ran for it.

The trek to Harry’s house was easy. Getting in was proving difficult. With the bars still on his window, the only way they could get in was through the front or back doors. Ginny easily leapt over the fence while Hermione flew. Still, they needed to get Harry to come down. Hermione tried her best to communicate that Ginny should hide in the bushes while she flew up to tap on Harry’s window.

“Hermoine? Is that you?” Harry whispered at the window. The little red hummingbird flew up and down and in a circle, trying to get him to let her in. He opened the window just a crack so she could slip in.

“Yes it’s me,” she whispered as she transformed back.

“What are you doing here?” He asked.

“I brought you a present but you have to go outside and get it.”

“They could already know you’re here!” Harry breathed in alarm. “They’ve got this place under more scrutiny than the world quidditch cup.”

“They’re monitoring for magic use Harry and an animagus doesn’t show up as magic use now does it?”

“How do you know that?” Harry narrowed his eyes.

Hermione blushed and looked away. She didn’t want to say anything that would provoke him.

“He told you,” Harry said flatly.

She nodded.

“And you trust him?” Harry asked softly.

She nodded again. “I kind of have to Harry. He’s my husband. He can’t betray me.”

Harry frowned. “No. I suppose not. What’s outside then?”

Hermione’s eyes lit up. “Why don’t you go see?”

Harry looked at her oddly but finally shrugged and waited until she turned into a hummingbird before he navigated his way downstairs. The Dursleys were packing their things up to journey to a safe house so they paid him no mind. He opened the back door just a crack and was knocked aside by a hulking dog. Overcome with joy, he slammed the door shut and grabbed her in his arms.

“Ginny!” Harry cried out quietly. “Are you mad?”

The dog barked and then nodded which caused the Dursleys to come running. “What in the bleeding hell is that beast doing in my kitchen?” Vernon yelled.

“This beast is mine and she’s here because she wants to be,” Harry said firmly. “Don’t worry. She’ll be staying in my room and she had better be gone by morning.”

The dog nodded again and barked happily while spinning circles around him. A bit overexcited, she knocked him to the floor and started licking him. “All right, all right, upstairs and to the left.”

Ginny bounded past the family and into the room Harry had directed her to. He showed up a few moments later and closed the door. “Harry!” She cried as she turned back into herself and pounced on him.

“Gods am I glad to see you,” Harry breathed and gave her a heated kiss. He pulled away with a frown. “You could have been killed! What were you thinking?”

“Don’t worry Harry,” Hermione placated as she switched back to herself. “We’ve got it all covered. Set your alarm for just before dawn because that’s when we’ve got to be back at the Burrow. I’ll be outside tonight. If you need something, just open the window and I’ll see it.”

“You’ll be with him then,” Harry said gravely.

Hermione nodded. “Perched on his shoulder. He’s keeping watch tonight. It isn’t quite the same but at least we can be together.”

“I still don’t trust him Hermione,” Harry warned.

“I know Harry but what choice do I have?”

“I know. I don’t like it, but I understand. I just don’t see how… I just… can’t.”

“It’s war Harry,” Hermione said sadly. “We’re all going to do things we don’t want to. What could he have done? I’d be dead if he hadn’t tried. He saw no other way.”

“You make him sound all noble,” Harry muttered.

“Not noble…just…cornered. He is still on our side Harry. I know you don’t want to believe that, but he is. The sooner we’re out from under that tyrant’s reign, the sooner we can be free. Free Harry. Don’t you want to be free?”

“More than anything,” Harry murmured. “Alright. Go to him. I know you can’t avoid it. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Night Harry, Ginny,” Hermione whispered and then flew off to find Draco. It wasn’t hard. They were standing in Mrs. Figg’s yard under a tree.

“Evening love,” Draco said softly and brushed his cheek up against her tiny head. “We’ve got a bit of news for you. You should be pleased.”

Hermione chirped in question. Good news would be a boon right now after how she felt. She knew Harry was conflicted and she hated not being able to tell him anything. Her guilt was eating her alive.

“R.A.B.” Severus drawled. “Regulus Arcturus Black, brother to Sirius. He was thought to have defected before Potter was born. I guess he went out with style.”

Hermione chirped again in happiness and then despair. If Regulus was dead, then where would the locket be?

AN: Hello everyone. This one took a bit longer because another story smacked me over the head with a brick and demanded I pay attention to it. Sowwy! If you are wondering, animant fictus means animate the fake in Latin. I figured James and Sirius would come up with something clever like that to thwart the parents. I know you are all hating the fact that this is ending but all good things do. My muse is just not happy at all with this new development! As always, thank you to everyone who reveiwed. Reviews are my diet coke...and man am I addicted to diet coke. Anyway, keep them coming and let me know if you catch any errors. Until next time... love you guys!
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