A/N: And I'm back. I was wrestling with intense writer's block on this story and I'm glad to finally get a chapter out for everyone. Huge thank yours to everyone that's followed along and given this story a chance.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o

Hermione woke to a soft knocking at her bedroom door. Last night, she had cried herself to sleep, and she felt like hell. In general, she just felt completely wrung out. After struggling into her jeans, she padded across the room and unlocked the door, opening it a crack.

"Breakfast is nearly ready, if you want to come down," Thorfinn said, any hint of teasing out of his tone.

"I'll be down in a minute," she replied and closed the door softly. His footsteps padded away, and she leaned her forehead against the smooth oak, trying to gather herself back together. She got dressed and headed down, sitting at the table and adding some sugar and cream to her coffee.

"I need to apologize for last night, I should not have put my hands on you," Thorfinn apologized as he joined her at the table, setting a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast in front of her. He looked and sounded sincere, and there was a fine crease of worry on his forehead.

"You scare me," she admitted quietly.

"I imagine I do," he agreed. "But I'll try not to frighten you more than I already have."

Hermione could see shadows under his eyes, and there was a slight droop to his shoulders. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

"The things I've seen and done, don't let me sleep terribly well most nights, little witch," he said and sipped his coffee. He sounded mostly resigned, and a little sad. "Hopefully it'll all be over soon." He ran a hand through his hair.

She nodded. "Do you have the coins you want me to enchant?"

"Yeah, I'll get them out for you before I leave."

"Where are you going?" she asked, unable to help her curiosity.

"I have some things to pick up in Diagon Alley. Is there anything you'd like for yourself?" Thorfinn asked her.

She blinked at him and shook her head. "Nothing I can really think of…I need clothes, but it's a little hard for you to pick those out for me," she said. "Harry has my bag with all my things in it."

"I'll ask the Order member at the cottage tonight about your things," he said, prepared for a fight when she realized that she wasn't coming with him.

She narrowed her eyes but didn't get angry, yet. "I need to see Harry and he needs my help. There's something we have to do or nothing else will matter." She knew it was a risk to tell him about the Horcruxes, but she also knew that without a good reason, he'd try to keep her here where he thought she was safe.

He'd been wondering when, or if she'd confess the truth of her mission to him. "What exactly are you helping him do?" He asked her.

"You-Know-Who made use of a very dark, evil piece of magic called a Horcrux. He's hidden severed pieces of his soul in various objects so that even if his physical form is destroyed, he will be able to come back. Before he was killed, Professor Dumbledore told Harry about it and guessed that he'd created six of them. Three have been destroyed, we have a fourth one and just need to find a way to destroy it since Griphook took the sword of Gryffindor from us and betrayed us at Gringotts. There's one hidden somewhere at Hogwarts, and we're fairly sure that Nagini is the final one. Then that just leave the bit of his soul left in his body." She had her own suspicions as to that being it, she wanted so desperately to be wrong.

His eyebrows rose up into his hairline. "That's what you stole from Gringotts? No wonder he lost his shit and slaughtered everyone in the bank."

Hermione nodded seriously. "So I need to see Harry, because he can't do this alone," she said, willing him to understand.

"When I go tonight, I'll tell them you need to meet with Harry," he conceeded. "But tonight I want you to stay here and rest, all right?"

"All right," she agreed and sipped her coffee.

"I heard you crying last night," he spoke quietly, breaking the silence after a few moments.

Hermione didn't look up and just stared into her coffee mug. "I was thinking about Ron," she admitted softly. "About how if he dies, that's on my hands. I don't know how I'll ever look any of the Weasleys in the eye again." She felt tears building up behind her eyes again. "I should have resisted, at least a little." Distantly, she heard him moving around the table and then she felt his hands on her shoulders. "I know you said I didn't have a choice, but it feels like I did."

"Did you love him?" he asked her, gently rubbing her shoulders.

"Yes," she whispered, closing her eyes as the tears slipped out. "I've loved him for a long time and now he's gone." She sobbed softly, not resisting as he turned her in her seat and cradled her softly against his stomach, stroking her hair.

"Shhh…if he loved you he wouldn't have wanted you to be hurt. He'd want you to be safe, protected…" He whispered, trying to give her some measure of comfort. He'd feared that her tears had been ones of fear, that his actions in the study had made her afraid of what he might do to her in the night. It was almost a relief that she was simply mourning her friend, as if she knew on some level that he was indeed dead. He just held her until she drew back of her own accord. He went and got a damp face cloth from the bathroom and wiped the tears from her cheeks, letting the cool water sooth her skin. "You should eat, it'll help," he said and returned to his own chair on the other side of the table.

Hermione sniffled a little but turned to her food, making herself eat. She managed to finish most of it and then sat back.

"All done?" At her silent nod, he took her plate away and tidied up the kitchen. "I should be back in a few hours." He went over to her and pulled a pouch out of his jacket, counting out 20 silver sickles. "Will these work for the enchantments?"

"Yeah. So when triggered, I'll enchant them to heat up and change colour to red. That will be the signal."

"That'll be perfect," he said to her. "There's plenty of food in the icebox, please help yourself if you're hungry. I'll see you when I get back."

"I'll be here…since I can't exactly leave." She said giving him a bit of a look. He just winked at her and headed outside. An audible crack signalled his departure. Hermione sighed and poured herself a little more coffee and decided to have a bit of a look around the cottage.

It didn't have the feel of a place that was often lived in, more the way her parent's vacation cottage had felt. She sat down in the study and opened up the family genealogy book again, in awe of just how far back the family had recorded its history. They had been part of the Norman Conquest, the first names in the book were William Rowles & Aedelinda Ascania. It was clear to her from her knowledge of English history that the invading Norman, William Rowles had married a Saxon noblewoman. Overtime the name Rowles would have been shortened to Rowle. As he had said last night, over the centuries there were muggleborns integrated into the family tree here and there. It was a fascinating thing to see it all there in black and white. Every generation or so there were pages written about the notable members of the family and their various accomplishments.

Remembering that she needed to enchant the coins, she sighed and reluctantly laid the book aside, determined to return to it once she had finished. She took her time and laid the enchantments over the coins, weaving the spells with care. She tested them and then set the master coin to the side and the others in a neat pile. It wasn't a difficult spell but it was a delicate one that took a good deal of concentration.

Hermione grabbed some fruit to eat and then returned to the study, settling in with the family history and reading about the earliest members of Thorfinn's family. It gave a fantastical magical history of the Norman Conquest, and how William and Aedelinda had married to cement peace between the invading and defending magical forces. There had been four such marriages, sanctioned by William the Conqueror, to ensure that the magical community at least would not take up arms against the Normans again. Hermione felt some uncomfortable parallels to her own situation. She was so engrossed in the book that she nearly let out a squeak of surprise as the door opened to the study, revealing Thorfinn.

"I didn't mean to startle you." He chuckled a little. "Interesting reading?"

"Actually yes, I didn't know about the Saxon Magical community's resistance to the Norman Conquest." She coloured a little and closed the book, setting it aside. "What time is it?"

"Nearly two in the afternoon," he said. "I'll get us a late lunch together." He withdrew, not ordering her to come with him. He needed to stop thinking about her like a prisoner or an enemy, especially because she was going to be his wife. His father had beaten manners into him, and he needed to try and find them again. He heard her enter the kitchen behind him and smiled. "Could you make some tea?" he asked.

"Of course," Hermione said, unable to help but eye the numerous packages sitting by the back door. "Busy shopping trip?"

"Busier than I had planned." He smirked and popped a loaf of bread into the oven to warm. He was heating up some home-made chicken soup that his gran had sent him in a warded parcel. He closed his eyes and just breathed in the smell. For a moment, it felt like he was back home in her kitchen watching her add herbs to the broth, and trying to sneak a taste when her back was turned.

"Nothing bad I hope?" she asked as she got the cups set on the table and put the little milk pitcher on the table for them to share.

"No," he said and got bowls out for them. "I just needed to get a few things ready. I have a feeling things are going to get crazy very fast, and I like to be prepared."

Hermione returned her attention to making their tea. She managed to not jump when he touched her elbow and turned her around. She gave him a curious look as he lifted her left hand and slipped a ring onto her ring finger. There was an opal surrounded by a ring of diamonds and seed pearls, set into a rose gold band. It was beautiful and had a great sense of age to it. There was a little warmth as it sized itself to her finger. She was suddenly at a loss for words.

"I know none of this is normal, but I thought you should have this," Thorfinn said softly. "I was able to get into my family vault to retrieve it. You are a remarkable witch, Hermione."

"It's beautiful," She said and lifted her eyes to meet his.

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. "It suits you." He said and gave her a warm smile. "See…I can be a nice guy sometimes." He winked and turned away to finish getting their lunch.

Hermione shook her head, still off balance as she finished making their tea. She couldn't seem to stop herself from looking at the ring on her finger. It made everything so real now. She was engaged. To a Death Eater. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was going to have a LOT to explain to her parents when all this was over.

Thorfinn came over and set a bowl of soup down, and some thick-sliced French bread. "You ok?" He asked, watching her.

"Yes, well…maybe." She said and met his eyes. "I guess the ring just makes everything feel more real." She said quietly. "It's one thing to know that when this all over we're getting married, and another to *know*." She hoped he understood.

He nodded, not taking it personally. Given everything that had happened over the last few days, he wouldn't begrudge her feeling a little overwhelmed. "Eat up and then I have something for you," He said, not pressing her on this.

"More?" She gave him a look and settled into her seat.

He just smiled and started on his meal.

Hermione resisted the urge to huff at him in annoyance, and enjoyed the simple meal. Other than her mother, she'd never had someone cook for her…and she had to admit it was rather nice. While they'd been on the run, she'd been the unofficial cook. Harry had helped from time to time, but the lion's share of it had been done by her. Rowle had seen to it that she was safe, fed, clothed, and her wounds treated. He'd taken charge of her, and seemed dedicated to keeping her safe, even though he already had his precious immunity agreement with the Order. It confused her to no end, but it also felt strangely good too.

Once they finished lunch, Rowle brought over the bags for her. "It's probably not what you had in mind for clothing, but given what's coming I think it'll be what you need. It's all charmed to fit itself to you once it's on, so why don't you go and try everything on." He said.

Hermione took the bags up to the bedroom that had been hers during her stay here. She laid the boxes out on the bed and opening them revealed a full set of dragon-hide dueling robes. There were black dragon-hide pants, boots, and a beautiful coat, cut just right to allow freedom of movement. A simple black shirt was meant to be worn underneath and there was a warded wand holster for her forearm. She didn't even want to think what this had cost, but it was clear that if Thorfinn was going to let her go with Harry, he wanted her wearing the best protection possible.

Everything fit perfectly, the wonders of magic, and the witch staring back at her in the mirror looked very different from the one she was used to seeing. Silver buckles accented the black dragonhide, tiny protection runes etched into every buckle and stud on the outfit. The magic practically purred around her, bolstering her confidence. The holster was designed so that it could be popped one handed, in an emergency, but was set for an easy draw under normal circumstances.

As she headed back down the stairs, she realized the boots had a silencing charm in them that would allow her to move silently, no matter what surface she was crossing. Handy little spell that. She entered the kitchen, where Thorfinn was finishing off the dishes and just stood there, taking in his shocked expression with some pleasure.

He let out a low whistle, raking his eyes up the entire length of her body. "You might just give half the Death Eaters heart failure, little witch." He tossed the dish towel aside and walked towards her, eyes burning with clear desire. "I don't know if I want to let you out of this house looking like that now."

"Too bad that I have to go, then isn't it?" Hermione felt her cheeks flush a little, not listening to the little voice at the back of her head that said to back away, and quickly. She knew that it was the intensity of the situation they'd been thrown into, but right now all she wanted was to lose herself in his lips and try to forget everything else for a little while. She wasn't an idiot; she knew that she could die tomorrow and no one had ever made her feel like this before. Not even Viktor had made her blood burn like this.

"Completely horrible," he answered and cradled her cheek in his hands, leaning down and catching her lips in a searing kiss.

Hermione made a little sound low in her throat as he kissed her roughly, not even pretending to be gentle this time. She wrapped her arms around his neck and suddenly his hands were on her hips, lifting her to sit on the counter to bring her up to his height. He was standing between her spread thighs, one hand still gripping her hip and the other smoothing up her back. She broke the kiss, needing air and that only encouraged him to nip and suck down her throat. When he took her lips again, his hands slid down to cup her ass, pulling her hips against his. Hermione couldn't help but moan into the kiss as she felt him hard and ready against her. It was too much and she pulled back, putting her hands on his chest, her heart was pounding out of her chest.

Thorfinn moved his hands to grip the edge of the counter and took a deep breath, before nodding and moving back. He retreated to lean back against the edge of the table and watched as she hopped down off the counter. "You're going to be the death of me…" he muttered and ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry…" She looked down at the floor for a moment.

"No…I shouldn't have let it go so far." He cut off her apology. "This isn't the time, and we both need to be focused on our jobs right now. I should probably head out, before I do something we'll both regret."

"That's probably a good idea."

"I'll probably be back late, it might be best not to wait up for me." There was still lingering heat in his eyes.

"I'll see you in the morning then." Hermione watched him go and let out a shaky breath. A night without Thorfinn here would help her to get her head back on straight. Everything was all muddled up and had been since she'd killed Umbridge. She didn't know if that was because she'd used an Unforgivable, or if she was just trying to avoid the reality of the entire situation. All Hermione knew was that they needed to finish this once and for all. After Voldemort was dead there would be plenty of time for guilt and recriminations, everything else would have to wait until then.