AN: This story was originally published ten years ago, I decided to resurrect it and give it another chance. I am pointing out all characters, places, and world, belong to JK Rowling. I do not earn nachos for writing this story.
Fancast:
Kingsley Shacklebolt: Paterson Joseph
Triggers: Torture, rape, treachery, teen pregnancy.
Pairings: Hermione will be with Kingsley Shacklebolt, Severus Snape, Thorfinn Rowle and possibly others though they will be in a DUB or Non Con sense. Harry/Ginny; Remus/Dora; Charlie/Luna
DARK LIGHT
In The Heat
He was sitting in the library. The sun streamed through the window, the warmth caused him to sigh wistfully as he tilted his face towards the shaft of light. He loved the sun shining in the room as it leant an ethereal essence, which brought him back to those childhood stories he used to love before he lost his innocence. As the windows were wide open the silver curtains fluttered and shimmered in the summer breeze. He remembered the time when he put them up. Shewas helping him with his task. He remembered the way she looked against the the light of the window. Skin tinged gold, hair glinting with all manner of caramel, chocolate and golden hues, peace reigned her form. To him she was the Suns Daughter lovingly bestowed upon the earth to bring it joy with her beautiful face. Nothing could happen though. He was forty-five years old and she was barely eighteen. Besides, he mused, it is not like she has ever shown any signs of reciprocated attraction. So, he did what he did best as a Ravenclaw and kept his feelings hidden.
He couldn't believe that in a matter of months he had been reduced to fantasizing about someone that would never return his affections. He looked at the page of the book he was trying to read but found that he couldn't focus easily; the words mingled and blurred on the paper, he tossed it aside. He looked up and, contemplating the merits of a lonely walk around London, he was about to get up and leave. That was the precise moment when the door opened. He watched as his desire entered. Did the girl even realise how beautiful she was?
"Oh, hello Mr Shacklebolt," she said.
Kingsley groaned. He had told her to call him by his first name.
"Hermione," he said in his deep calming voice.
Hermione blushed. She had always loved a deep voice and his was no exception. Definitely not the exception,she thought. No point in dreaming though, he will only see you as a silly little school girl.
"It's rather hot today, don't you think?" she asked using an old Potions Weekly to fan herself with.
Kingsley nodded quietly. Watching with burgeoning lust as he saw the front of her buttoned up corset dress expand and contract as she breathed in and out. Nonchalantly, she shrugged her shoulders and skipped up to the bookshelf. He needed to know for certain whether she viewed him as an acquaintance, friend, father figure or perhaps a potential beau. Elegantly, Kingsley rose from his seat and made the choice to get as close to her as propriety would allow.
"What are you after?" he asked.
"Something to do with Horcruxes," Hermione said calmly.
"No, Hermione, I won't let you," he found himself saying gruffly.
Hermione turned around on her heel and her eyes widened with shock. Almost scared by the intense look in his handsome chiselled face. A countenance she wanted to map out with her fingers whilst his tongue was exploring her mouth.
"Someone has to," she murmured. "Harry is still moping about Dumbledore half the time and declaring war on Professor Snape the other half and when he does take a break he uses it to snuggle up to Ginny. If we leave it up to him nothing useful would get done."
"What about leaving it up to someone like me?" Kingsley asked taking one of her hands in his letting their arms swing between them. "Hermione," he sighed bringing her closer to him. "Please, you can't. You smile, you bring light to the gloom, and I cannot let that be diminished by you searching for dark knowledge."
He could smell her perfume; lilac, jasmine and honey scent wafted and caressed him, little fingers of aroma tickled his neck and curled around his head. Kingsley found he had to stifle a moan. Innocently the usually confident Auror looked down only to find that the sun was shining through the skirt of her mint green summer dress. Teasing and displaying what he could never hold. He gulped down his urge and reined his self control back in. He began circling his fingers in Hermione's palms. She felt shock-waves course through her body at his gentle, soothing touch. Suddenly their eyes snapped to each other's finding equal intensity of desire flash through the other.
"Don't stop," she sighed.
Kingsley tilted his head and looked at her expression. It would be so simple to lean in and kiss those soft, pink, cupid bow lips. Realising she did like what he was doing, Kingsley suddenly remembered who they were and their 27 year age gap. Reluctantly, he dropped her hand and stepped back.
"Please, Hermione, you cannot expose yourself to that sort of knowledge," he said. He took another step or two back as he felt they were still too close. "I mean it. Read some Jane Austen or Charles Dickens for a change."
"But I do read those authors," Hermione answered trying not to giggle.
"It's not a laughing matter, Hermione," not only that but your dimples are begging to be kissed, "you are too young and too beautiful to engage in such dark study."
Hermione stopped laughing when she heard Kingsley Shacklebolt call her beautiful. She was interested in this bald man. She loved his voice, she loved his hands, and she even liked his bald head. She either liked a lot of hair or none at all. Her favourite actor as a child was Yul Brynner. He was ultra sexy.
He walked away from her and turned around. Why had he said that to her? Now she'd only laugh in his face! Oh he had relationships before. Been engaged once or twice but none of the women affected him so deeply that Hermione Granger did. Why should it happen now? She nibbled her lower lip and looked down on the floor.
"Do you really think I'm beautiful?" she asked in a small voice.
Kingsley sighed. His shoulders slumped as he answered. "I do, I truly do."
"No one has called me beautiful," Hermione said. "Well, apart from Viktor, but I didn't believe him."
Hermione looked around the room trying to think of something else to say but he spoke.
"I am sorry," he groaned. "I should never have said it."
Hermione walked up to him and laid a hand on his back. She rubbed it with circular motions as she stepped around him so that she could look in his dark eyes.
"Thank you, Mr Shacklebolt," she said.
He heard her flip flops slap on the floor. Watching as she walked around to face him, eyes widened, surprised to find her on tiptoes. Even more so when her lips softly kissed his cheek causing him to blush. Hermione thought he was cute when he blushed.
"How many times," he coughed awkwardly, "call me Kingsley."
Hermione found it strange that an adult was giving her permission to call him or her by their first name without the respectable prefix of Uncle or Aunt before it.
"Uncle Kingsley," she said.
"No, just Kingsley," he replied.
"Kingsley," Hermione tested the name on her mouth. He had never heard his name spoken of in such a musical way before. He smiled at her.
"Hermione," he said. "You know something, our names rhyme."
"Kind of," she agreed. "Now," she sighed squaring her shoulders. "Why do you think I'm beautiful?"
"I shouldn't," Kingsley said. "It is wrong for a man of my age to think of a woman of your age in any way."
"Why?" Hermione said softly. "What do you truly think of me, Kingsley?"
The dark man sighed and looked down on the floor. He couldn't look in her eyes and tell her what he had to say. He couldn't gaze into the eyes of the girl that truly trusted him, as he would break her trust with one single sentence, yet he could not deny the feelings any longer. Every time he saw her he felt his heart grow within him so much it hurt.
"I think that you are a sexy, beautiful, intelligent young woman."
He looked at her eyes. She was still earnestly seeking truth through her eyes to his; she still had that smile on her face.
"Sexy?" she said lowering her eyelids. Coquettishly peering up at him through her long lashes.
"Yes," he replied. "Absolutely sexy."
Hermione giggled. Even Viktor hadn't called her sexy. She stepped up closer to him and smiled. "You're attractive too, Kingsley."
"I am," he said in utter surprise. Hermione giggled again and ran a finger along his lips. He took her hand away. "No, Hermione, we shouldn't."
"We haven't even started yet," she pouted. Channelling her inner Pansy, Hermione stepped up on tip toes once again so she could whisper in his ear. "Kingsley, you are an extremely handsome, intelligent man. I love your quiet strength, and I feel … well … calm around you."
Kingsley closed his eyes with sheer relief. He was scared of her rejection of him. She seemed to like him and that was a good start.
"Hermione," he sighed. "We barely know each other. I cannot make a move or even kiss you. I like you, and I want to but I don't want to betray your trust." He stroked aside some hair off her face and smiled at her, his almond shaped eyes sparkled all the warmth of the African Savannah.
"You won't," she replied.
She leant forward and cupped one of his cheeks in her hand. Following through, Hermione brushed her lips against his and smiled. She then pushed his lower lip down with her finger and leaned forward. She placed her top lip in between his parted mouth and he sucked her lip. She tasted so sweet. Her mouth felt so warm. Cautiously, Kingsley slipped his tongue into her mouth. His lips pushed insistently against hers, as his tongue tentatively stroked hers urging her to play with his. He could drown in that mouth of hers. She tasted every bit as sweet as her personality dictated she would.
She leant into his body as he wrapped his strong arms around her waist bringing her closer within his embrace. Her insides were bubbling and far from calm. She pressed her stomach against his growing erection. Moaning as their bodies became as close to each other as they could. Hermione wrapped her hands around his head and purred in his mouth.
His hands wandered down her sides and circled around her hips. She thrust forward wanting nothing more than for them to be naked. His hands stroked up her back and landed in her hair, fingers laced themselves in her golden curls. He broke the kiss. They were both panting. He looked into her eyes, they were shining and her face was flushed from the excitement and promise of more. He dipped his head and placed his lips on her cheek, he kissed along her jaw and down the side of her neck.
"Kingsley," she sighed.
This only spurned him on. He picked her up and carried her over to a table and laid her flat on her back. She wanted to laugh but felt that might ruin the moment. She held onto him tightly. He was about to start unbuttoning her dress when someone walked into the room. Kingsley immediately jumped off Hermione. Hermione stood up. Her hair mussed, and her dress was slightly skewed around her body.
The intruder was Molly. "Hermione," she said. "Could you be a dear and set the table for lunch."
Hermione nodded. She turned to Kingsley. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Kingsley nodded.
Damn that woman! She seems to have the awful knack of knowing what they are doing at any given moment. Hermione followed the Weasley Matriarch out of the Library and walked to the dining room to set the table. Once Molly was in the dining room she locked the door and turned to the young woman she considered a daughter.
"I knew what you were doing because of this," she held out the most complex watch Hermione had ever seen.
It had several dials on it all held names of various members of the Order. Hermione's jaw dropped at the machinery and magic that went into this exquisite device. Kingsley and Hermione's dials had turned purple. They were cooling down to brown now though.
"And so?" she asked Molly with a lazy shrug of her shoulders.
"Purple is the colour of love in the magical world," Molly explained. "At least the colour of In The Act of Love, if you know what I mean."
"So what if we were being physical with each other?" Hermione demanded. She placed her hands on her hips. "I was actually enjoying it."
"But, dear, he's old enough to be your father!" Molly gasped.
Hermione rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe how interfering this woman was. She gritted her teeth and angrily strode towards the dresser to take a tablecloth out of the drawer. Shaking the sheet out Hermione then laid it on the huge table. She Accio'd and placed mats and cutlery on the table in perfect precision – everything equidistant and mirrored beautifully. Deep down Hermione knew Molly cared and that was why she interfered but sometimes ... sometimes ... Hermione wished she would not.
Molly shook her head. She had to break Harry and Ginny apart the night before. She wished that young people would realise that older people did actually know better because nine times out of ten the older person has been there. Because of this she knew what happens when passions runs high – in peace time it was still something to approach with caution – in wars it's total insanity. Molly only had to think of how quickly the Potters wed after school, same with the Longbottoms, not to mention her own rush to become Mrs Weasley. She ended up pregnant in the height of war – not just once – but six times. Barely hitting her thirties before her daughter was born. The daughter that currently wasn't talking to her because she feels a severe sin had been committed against her by her mother's concern. Molly had thought that Hermione might be slightly more reasonable than her passionate daughter. Yet it seemed even the most cool headed of this generation let her heart do the thinking for her.
Hermione gracelessly with angry magic, slammed the eating utensils down on the table. Molly walked into the kitchen throwing her hands up in the air. She might as well not bother next time; let them get pregnant then, see if she cares when they come crying!
Kingsley's lips were still tingling from her kiss, his hands felt as if they had been cleansed. He smiled. He had been kissed. Although he was definitely not a virgin, he had never felt as he did now. Now he felt as if he was the first man in the world to be held in Passions Embrace. With a light skip, Kingsley exited the library, smirking to himself that the woman he wanted, liked him back. He may be an Auror but he was also a man. She had given him a promise and he was going to make sure she fulfilled it.
Stealthily he walked into the dining room where he noticed she was in a bit of a temper. He walked up to her and he heard her muttering:
"Stupid, bloody bitch," stomp. "Why can't she mind her own bloody business!" slam. "Why doesn't she get some herself instead of ruining everyone else's chances?" Huff. "Doesn't she realise how long I wanted him to notice me?" kick. "When he finally does she waltzes in and asks me to set the bloody table."
Kingsley was shocked. She was obviously so wrapped up in her anger that she didn't notice him walking in. He was still as a statue when he heard that she fancied him and had done for awhile. He looked at her quivering form, her golden complexion; he noticed that she had a smattering of freckles across her nose. He smiled as he thought of counting them after they made love.
She turned around so her back was turned to him. She continued her muttering: "Imagine that someone like me being kissed by the sexiest guy on the planet," Kingsley preened. "Not only sexy but an Auror too! I was so happy." Puffing up with pride, Kingsley decided to let her rant oblivious to his presence. "I can't wait to get him naked. He's so gorgeous," she glared at the door where she knew Molly was cooking. "Bitch!" she said again.
Angrily, Hermione whirled around. Immediately she blushed when she realised she was face to face with Kingsley who was not concealing a smirk. Arms folded across his chest as he casually leant against the door frame.
"I am almost inclined to agree with you, but I cannot call a good woman with the right intentions such a name," he said.
"You heard what I said?"
"Hmm," he replied.
He looked around. He was about to walk up to her when Molly bustled in the room. She saw that Kingsley's hand was changing from brown to blue. She won't let them do it within her hearing distance. If Molly had her way she would not let anyone do it until the war was over!
"Kingsley, be a love and gather everyone around the table," she said in a tone that would brook no argument.
Stiffly he bowed and left the room. Hermione was chewing the inside of her cheek trying very hard to keep her comments to herself. She might have to speak to Ginny about this. Ginny would help her. After all, they both had vested interests into this intrigue. Nothing harmful, Hermione did love Molly too, but there were times when she wished she could live elsewhere but there was nowhere to go. And she could just imagine Harry's reaction if she told him she was moving out. Like any brother, he'd go spare at the thought of his sister alone and unsafe in the world where dark Wizards was salivating for a piece of her. So Hermione began to scheme.
"She can't keep breaking us up, Harry!" Ginny exclaimed stamping her foot in front of her boyfriend. A remarkable action considering they were sitting on her bed.
"I can sort of understand why she does it," Harry said soothing his girlfriend by stroking her beautiful cheek. He loved all the Weasley's … well … Percy excepted. "From her viewpoint her little girl is nearly an adult her last child becoming her own person. Of course she'd want to hang on to that last piece of innocence."
"Well, I wish she'd stop interfering," Ginny moaned.
Both knew that Ginny had lost her virginity to Michael Corner. Considering how old she was at the time, Harry wanted to bash the Ravenclaw's brains out of his skull. Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny's shoulders bringing her into his body to comfort her. Hell, even Harry had lost his virginity – to Daphne Greengrass – quite early in the sixth year.
"We're together aren't we," he said nuzzling her cheek with his nose. "That's enough for the time being."
"No!" she growled. "It's not enough, Harry, if you don't do something drastic then I will."
She got up causing Harry to fall face flat on the bed and she stormed out of the room. After Harry had straightened his glasses he looked at the door debating over whether to follow her or not. Experience with the Weasley temper made his decision – to leave her alone to cool down – then he will attempt to reason with her. He knew how bad a Weasley's temper could get, although he wasn't sure whether that was more a Prewitt trait. It seemed that Ron and Ginny had more of a temper than the rest of the Weasley's. He had observed them and they were a lot like their mother. That did not lessen his love for Ginny by any stretch. It was Ginny's temper and loyalty that attracted him to her in the first place. That and she had the sexiest form in a Quidditch uniform he had ever seen.
A light knock, a quivering handle, and the door opened. Quietly, Kingsley walked in the room. "Molly has said that lunch was being served. I have informed Ginevra."
Harry nodded and stood up. He looked up and smiled slightly. "Who have you kissed?" Harry asked, as he noticed a bit of lipstick on Kingsley's white cravat.
Kingsley glanced down at where Harry was gazing intently at his neck covering. "Oh, just some girl I met."
Harry narrowed his eyes and smiled knowingly at the older man. "Yeah, right!"
The two men walked out of the room and made their way back to the dining room where they saw Ginny and Hermione whispering to each other. Harry narrowed his eyes; Kingsley decided not to let his naturally suspicious nature take over, as he had seen these two girls whisper like this before. It was then Harry looked at Hermione's lips – smudged lipstick a startlingly familiar shade to the one on his potential boss cravat and collar.
Lunch was a very quiet affair. Molly had deliberately placed the girls as far from the men as possible so no hanky panky could occur under the table. Hermione looked at Ginny and nodded.
"Mum, why don't you put your feet up and Hermione and I will clear up and cook dinner," Ginny said.
Molly narrowed her eyes but decided to suspend judgement. "I could do with a rest."
The girls ate the tomato soup quietly. When everyone had finished they started clearing up the table. Ginny brought Molly a cup of tea and told her to go to the sitting room. When Molly was out of the room Harry turned on them.
"What are you two up to?" he asked.
"Nothing Harry," Hermione singsonged; looking as innocent as a child.
"That's right," Ginny replied. "We just want to give mum a rest that's all."
Kingsley shook his head trying not to laugh. If women were up to something they'd hardly confess all to the opposite sex.
"Come on, Harry," Kingsley steered Harry out of the kitchen. "Perhaps you can help me with something."
Ginny and Hermione watched them walk out of the room. They checked their watches.
"That was so lucky that you had some of that potion spare," Ginny sighed. "But," she peered up and down her friend's attire, "where was it hidden?"
Smirking slightly, Hermione lifted the skirt of her dress where the empty vial rested in the skimpy band of her mint green silk underwear. "Be prepared," Hermione winked cheekily. "If I heard it once I heard it a thousand times from my dad," with that she let the skirt fall.
Gasping, wide eyed, Ginny glanced up at her friend with naked awe. "Right," she shook her head to get back on task. "Mum should be off like a light now," her eyes sparkled mischief. "I'll go and slip that infernal contraption off her wrist. I have had training from the twins."
Hermione nodded. "I'll clean up the kitchen."
Moments later a triumphant Ginny bounced into the kitchen and held the watch up like a trophy. Infectiously, Ginny giggled at a bemused but proud friend.
"She was snoring with her mouth wide open and everything it was so comical."
"Do not be cruel, Ginny," Hermione's lips twitched at the corner of her mouth as if tempted to laugh along with the red head.
"All right, I have conspired with you, now tell me why you're in a fit over my mother?"
Blushing furiously, Hermione circled her feet on the floor as she looked at anywhere but at her fellow Gryffindor. "Please do not freak out," Hermione implored with shining eyes.
"Witches Oath!" Ginny saluted.
"ItsKingsleyShackleboltandIlikehimverymuch!" Hermione rushed out.
"It is who and what. Slow down, fellow Lioness of mine."
The brunette took a deep calming breath to centre herself. "It's Kingsley," Hermione puffed out. "I have not told anyone, Ginny. I mean," her eyes drooped. Ginny was put in mind of a wilting rose. "He's gorgeous, brave, clever, sweet..."
"Whoh, whoh, whoh," Ginny urged Hermione to calm down again. "You do not have to justify anything with me, Hermione. You like who you like. No one can dictate that to you, you hear?"
Hermione snorted. "You don't think it weird that I like Kingsley?"
"Hell no!" Ginny exclaimed. "He's hot isn't he?"
"Scorching," Hermione sighed. "When he kissed my mouth I was so charged with emotion I could barely contain it!"
"And then my mother had to go and spoil it, eh?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. She smirked slightly and took the watch in her soapy hands. "If I wasn't fearing the reprisals and didn't respect the amount of work it took to make this watch I'd dump it in the water right now."
"We can't do that," Ginny sighed. "Though it is awfully tempting."
She shrugged her shoulders and placed it down her cleavage. Ginny watched bug eyed. "That is a temporary measure, where should we hide it?"
"The last place where mum will think of finding it," Ginny said. "And I'm not going to tell you either in case you chicken out and decide to tell her in one of your 'honest' moments."
Hermione scowled. "I don't get them any more!"
"Don't you?" Ginny asked. She picked up a towel and began wiping up. "We're getting our men tonight whether mother likes it or not."
"Do your parents still do it?" Hermione asked with genuine curiosity.
Ginny screwed up her face. "Yuck! Hermione," she pretended to gag. "Some of us like to keep our food in our stomachs!"
Hermione laughed. She sighed as she contemplated how she could go about gaining Kingsley's undivided attention later whilst Ginny was contemplating the same thing about Harry.
