Disclaimer: We do not own Harry Potter. JKR does, and we appreciate the fact that she has a great sense of style and humor, to let us play with her characters. The plot is ours. Ernest is a wonderful figment of both our imaginations.

Chapter 4. It's a Selkie thing.

He smiled, thoroughly enchanted by her vulnerability and curiosity. Her skin held a glow that attracted him like flowers attract bees. He didn't want to think, all his reasoning left the building.

In that particular moment he only felt the need to stand close to her, and comfort her tears.

Hermione noticed Yasen looking at her as though she was a member of an alien species. She narrowed her eyes and raised her chin in defiance. Yasen blinked, and realized he wanted to kiss that chin. He advanced towards her, and emerged from the water.

Hermione opened her eyes as big as she could, healer Yasen was nude. His approach was slow, and somehow she knew that she could run, but her common sense had vacated the premises at the instant she beheld skin at its most glorious presentation.

Hermione stood immobile and captivated by the presence of the tall, dark, intelligent, eloquent, and well-endowed naked greek god of fertility in front of her. "Stupid brain", she thought to herself. Of course, she would continue to berate herself, as soon as her common sense made a return and she could summon a tiny amount of self-control to place her libido under the reins, and by default, stop drooling like a ravenous vulture at the vision of the male, displaying his attributes right in front of her.

Still dripping wet, Yasen sat himself down beside her, wrapped his arms around her, and cradled her face against his chest. His very hard, very muscular chest. Hermione flattened a hand against it, to keep balance, nothing else… her brain snorted, "Yeah Jean, keep saying that, maybe I'll believe you after the seventh time."

"What's got you crying, Hermione?" Yasen rumbled, his voice soft, gentle.

It took Hermione a while to answer. Since again, this, this exchange, never happened before... "I mean, there was Viktor, but Viktor was a friend, Cormac who… Why was she thinking of Cormac, anyway?" Her brain was numbing, and it was the sexy healer's fault. His hand was caressing her hair, his fingers were running through her curls. His other hand rested on her waist, his thumb running circles over her shirt.

"How did you get here?" Hermione finally managed to say. It wasn't an answer to his question, but honestly, she didn't really want to answer him properly. It sounded silly, even to her.

"You summoned me."

"I did what?"

"You cried seven tears into the water of this spring, and summoned me."

He left out the part where she supposedly was his soulmate, he was still quite baffled by that one. The summons had been so abrupt. One moment he was reading a book, the next he heard some sort of buzzing, a tug behind his navel, and he was under water.

Looking down at her bushy hair, he couldn't deny his need to comfort her. Vaguely, he wondered when he had lost his clothes, but his nakedness didn't bother him. If her look was anything to go by, Hermione had not been disappointed either. She had a beautiful, darker shade of blush on her cheeks, and she was warm. Her little hand pressing against his chest, and that confused look on her face, made her look adorable.

The feeling was odd, certainly for him, but then again, an instinctive force was pushing his common sense away. He asked in a low tone of voice:

"Tell me what saddens you, Hermione." His hand still running through her hair.

She shook her head against his chest. She realized that the her fingers had been idly drawing patterns. She stopped their motion, and balled her hand up in a fist.

Pulling back, Yasen lifted her face with a finger under her chin. Her gaze met his, and for a second he lost himself in it. It felt good to hold her, to touch her, to be so near to her.

"Tell me so I can make it better. I'm a Healer after all."

Hermione laughed shortly at his statement. "I was just thinking about Ron and his infidelity. I should, and will, leave him behind me. He no longer has a hold on me."

She could feel him stiffen under her, and pulled away.

"See, it's silly. I shouldn't have told you."

The hand on her waist strengthened its hold to prevent her from leaving.

"No," he breathed, "it's not silly." Yasen caressed her cheek. "You are a strong woman, Hermione. He never deserved you."

And I never will, he thought. How can you be my soulmate, you strong, brave, beautiful woman?

"How can you judge that? You don't know him."

He realised he loved her logic, her ability to reason through statements even when she was emotionally unstable. However, right now, that talent wasn't doing him a favour. He wanted to tell her that he did know the ginger dumbhead. He wanted to give her a million reasons why Ronald Weasley wasn't good enough for her, but he could do none of the above without revealing his identity.

"He cheated on you. Only an idiot would not see your beauty, your intelligence. The fool should have married you when he still had the chance."

Hermione looked up at him. "You really think so?" She hated how small her voice sounded. She hated herself for asking that question, but she needed to know. He had called her beautiful, nobody had ever called her beautiful before. Ron had always complained about her clothes, about how she would look better if she wore something less frumpy.

Yasen nodded. She scanned his features, spotting no lies. She could not deny that he was handsome. His black hair, still a bit wet from the water, stood out in contrast to his pale skin. It framed his face, partially falling in front of his equally dark eyes. Unbidden, her hand reached out to touch his face, clearing the strand in front of his eyes. Momentarily, her gaze dropped to his red lips.

She felt attracted to this mysterious man. He still reminded her of someone, but the knowledge was just beyond her reach. His fingers caressed her neck and she tilted her head to give him better access. She heard herself humm, and jerked up in surprise. This was nothing like her!

Looking up at his face, she got caught by his stare. The look he was giving her was so intense, she felt it burning in her blood. Unable to look away, she flattened her hands against his chest again, feeling his steady heartbeat underneath them.

"Hermione."

Her name fell off his lips like a sigh, a soft breeze on a warm summer's day. Hermione didn't protest as he lowered his head, and brushed his lips against hers. His lips felt soft. The kiss was tender, and she let out a sigh. He took the opportunity to slip his tongue in her mouth. Slowly, carefully, he explored.

As her arms slipped around his shoulders, Hermione pressed herself closer to him, demanding more. Yasen deepened the kiss, lowering her to the ground, casting a quick, wandless, silent cushioning charm. Her hands had burrowed themselves in his hair, kneading his scalp and pulling the strands lightly.

His mouth left hers and started exploring. He kissed her brow, her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, and down to her neck. It felt utterly divine, and with another sigh, she encouraged him.

It was when he nipped her pulse point, that Hermione came back to her senses. In a flurry of movement, she pushed him off of her and scrambled away. Her eyes wide, she stared at him.

"What's going on? What's happening?" she cried out, almost panicking.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have, I'm sorry," Yasen stumbled.

He could feel Hermione's panic rising. He had been swept away by his urges, his instinct, losing his common sense in the process. Pulling himself together, he took a deep breath.

"My apologies, Hermione, I was out of line. Let me escort you back to your room, it's getting rather late."

Hermione looked at him for a moment, eventually blinked, and blushed.

"You're naked," she pointed out, seemingly embarrassed.

He looked down himself. Right, he had forgotten about that. Quickly he conjured a shirt and trousers.

"Lead the way," he said once dressed.

Hermione blinked again. "Uhm, I actually have no idea how I got here…"

Yasen grinned like a child that knows a secret and yet he is trying to avoid the topic. Hermione was waiting and Yasen added:

"Sometimes the Playhouse directs you to a place where you will find more comfort, or like me, I was summoned and the house decided to strip me and pushed me into the spring… so I could advance towards you, in nothing but skin..."

"You're lying."

"No, there are primordial magics in place here, besides, I'm a healer, a pragmatic… do you believe I would make this up?... think about it?"

"So what are you saying? That the Playhouse decided I needed a sensual greek god, to alleviate my tears?"

Yasen felt a flash of heat cover his skin. His surprise could not be pushed to the side. She wasn't aware of how much it moved him, to be thought of as a sensual greek god that had been summoned to ease her pain. The incredulity however struck a cord. He knew she was made for him, because she wasn't blinded by his appearance, and her reluctance to yield provoked in him a need to conquer and crumble her walls. He however replied:

"Perhaps a friend?"

"Why did it take your clothes off?"

"Because it has a sense of humor… In Hogwarts, there is a room of requirement, correct?"

Hermione nodded, and Yasen added:

"What if I told you that the Playhouse, was designed by the same witch who created the Room Of Requirement in Hogwarts, Rowena Ravenclaw?"

"That's a pretty far-fetched possibility?"

"Well imagine my surprise when I uncovered the information that the Little Brussels Playhouse was created by two of the Hogwarts founders, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff? And in the same book, there was a detail of Rowena creating the Room of Requirement in Hogwarts."

Hermione took a step back and she added:

"So this place, in a way is sentient, and has a mission to help heal others?"

"Yes."

"So the playhouse sensed that I was ill, and it sent you to care for my tears?"

"Hermione, you know that magic doesn't make sense? However, you are a witch… I felt the need to kiss you, to comfort you, just you… and I don't kiss anyone, yet I kissed you… you brilliant, beautiful, unnerving, strong, independent, loyal swot."

He was in front of her, she was trembling, he got on his knees in front of her belly, and then he lowered his lips to kiss her feet.

Hermione thought she was dreaming, because she felt like she stepped into a vision, as a powerful wizard, kneeled and pressed his lips on her feet. Suddenly her knees gave up and she too ended on her knees. She took his face and kissed his lips. Desire took the lead. Her hands felt the skin on his neck and then her lips were sensing his face. She felt the need to savor his skin and her tongue took a shy taste, and she moaned.

It made no sense, nothing made sense, but he tasted like sugar and skin and fresh spices. Her brain was not available. The soft kisses turned into soft panting. She wanted more, so with no effort she found herself above his chest and then she kissed him some more.

She tried to separate and ended up kissing him again, like a child, Hermione marvelled at their touch, and verified that the skin on his neck and face was a perfect maze guiding her towards his mouth.

Yasen accepted her caress, and Hermione, in turn, felt his tongue welcome her. The male selkie emitted a growl that made Hermione needy towards his touch. She explored his lips, took his hands and placed them on her arse. He squeezed, and even though she jumped in surprise, she pushed herself towards him. His strong arms encased her, and she didn't want to breathe if not through his sighs.

His manhood became a hard impressive third leg and she could barely understand, but she found herself touching him through his trousers. His eyes turned liquid onyx, and he looked as though he was in pain, but nodded yes. It was then that she realized, this was going too fast.

So she stopped and awkwardly detached, took three steps back and began to feel like she was drained of energy, just like the everyday feeling, when she acknowledged her body was tired and wanted to fall asleep. Or experience a very mild Stupefy.

Breathing as though she just ran a marathon, and feeling scared, she said:

"What did you do to me?"

"Nothing, you kissed me," he replied with a inaudible hiss.

Yasen got up and with a bit of difficulty he stood in place. He added in almost a whisper:

"I get the feeling that you are going to overthink this? Please don't… I wanted you to kiss me… I wanted you… I still do… you are going to debate with yourself on why this, us, is wrong, don't… when you are ready to be loved, when you are ready to let your skin talk, and your soul sing, when you are ready to be treated like the goddess that you are?... summon me back, and take your chance on us… I find it difficult to be near you… because I want to comfort you, but I cannot touch you, without your consent… send me away Hermione."

Hermione realized that something was off, he was trembling and so was she. She experienced, previous to him rising from the water, the force or magical raw rejection, now she was experiencing the opposite, a force that drew her against him. She took a step back, and noticed it hurt. She was scared, however, she asked:

"What is this? I can't move, I can't make myself to turn you away, something is pushing me towards you"

"I don't understand it either… but, it cannot be."

Hermione realized he had a clue of the odd magical backlash, so she asked:

"What is it? You're smiling, why? Why are you smiling?"

"I'm a Selkie Hermione, I was summoned by you… this force, this force that is pulling us, is the bond… In some magical breeds, there is a competition for the female and then she is claimed… with male selkies, it is your tears… your tears are primordial magic to me, I was summoned and I need to be claimed by you… you deny me now, and you..."

"I'm hurting you? Is that what you're saying?"

Yasen was losing his consciousness, and Hermione was becoming quite dizzy. She did the only thing that she could think of, she said: "I'm not rejecting you Yasen, I want you for my mate, however, this is so sudden."

The magics of the place seemed appeased and the pull gradually lifted. Both of them breathed with ease. The two waited.

"What did I just do?" Hermione thought in a panic. While Yasen blushed, sensing the distress on her face, he added:

"Let me walk you to your room?" He extended his hand.

Hermione nodded and touched his arm feeling herself return to normal. She then looked up and self-consciously walked at his side. For all the eloquence and flair for knowledge she had, at that particular moment, she was speechless and felt in great part anesthetized.

Bert witnessed their entry and noticed the shy body language on both, however, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself. The human magicals usually had the good sense to look to him for counselling.

Minerva and Ernest watched the young couple walk up the stairs and wondered if the relationship would soon be made public. She was pulled out of her thoughts by a crazy husband who, in turn, got handsy and playful. She just added:

"Down boy, I'm here and not going anywhere."

Ernest replied: "Oh? So it's my turn to be the dominant?"

Minerva snorted and said: "Not so loud Ernest." To which he replied: "Woo hoo, I get to be the one with the whip tonight… help me with the leather trousers won't you?... you know I'm just hopeless at costumes Minnie."

Behind them Ginny and Harry snorted, while Harry said: "Oh my God!, my brain… I need bleach to scrub it… the images!"

Ernest turned and said: "Don't be such a cry baby Potter... S&M is quite therapeutic and it keeps a marriage strong, excuse me, I need to get into my role." He then placed Minnie on his shoulders like a rucksack and Minnie shrieked with laughter.

Hermione turned around and noticed how the McGonagall's were making a retreat, laughing, and Yasen just sighed and commented. "And it's another Sex Olympic event for the McGonagall's, hope they don't start talking tomorrow about house pride and how Slytherin got the winning scores over the golden kitty of Gryffindor?… those two are insane!"

Hermione blinked and then goofed off. Yasen stood in awe of how good it felt to hear her laugh. Once she was at her door, he said: "Good night my dear Hermione, sleep well."

She replied demurely: "Good night Yasen, are you sure you're feeling better?"

Yasen answered: "Yes, thank you." She added in a whisper: "Goodnight."

After the door closed behind her, Hermione decided that a bath was in order. She couldn't bring herself to think about the exchange. It was like she was under the Imperius curse. After her bath she went to bed, however, her dreams revealed a subconscious with an aptitude for a wild imagination.

Dreamscape.

Healer Yasen Prince is in her room, he was getting his supplies to treat her Mudblood scar.

She jumps him and says in a low voice: "No questions, I'll apologize later."

A bit later, Yasen and Hermione are naked and sated, and then she realizes with horror what she did to the healer. Healer Prince smiles and in a low growl says to her: "You took advantage of me… do it again!"

Of course she is mortified, but being sorted into the house of red and gold was no fluke.

A giant screen comes into play and a couple of voice commentators start: "Welcome fans, it's a lovely day in Hermione's bedroom, a really decent setup for the grand match, I'm Ginny Potter, and I'm Minerva McGonagall, your spokespersons today, and do you hear that professor McGonagall?...yes the crowd is right. - LET the Sex Olympics begin!"

Minerva reads: "We have the obstacle course mapped out, the bed, the chair, the bathroom."

Ginny interjects and adds: "There's the heir of sexiness, Potions Master and Healer Extraordinaire, also known as the Sneering Selkie Yasen Prince, and he- Will you look at that?... He is taking a stamina brew?"

Professor McGonagall nods and adds: "Correct, gotta give credit to that slippery git."

Yasen was frustrated recently, that all had come to a stop as soon as she took a leap at him, and now, as she is burning him with her feline eyes, he begins to shift his stance.

Madame Potter's tone is one of surprise: "Look at that,? he is howling, a primal mating call indeed! Right, let's get the contenders: On this corner, the Sneering Selkie, on the other corner the Annoying Know-It-All, with the lion's head of hair Hermione Granger… and look at the sparks fly!"

Minerva intervenes: "Missus Potter don't forget our sponsors?"

Ginny says: "Right you are. This Sex Olympic event is brought to you by the Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes and their high selling Erotic Patented Daydream Charms, and, of course, the new book: "How to Woo and Please your Witch", by Ernest Finch Fletchley-McGonagall, phew that's a mouth full… Now, back to our Main Event"

Minerva exclaimed:

"Look at that!, the Know-it-all has him cornered! Go Gryffindor! Show that Selkie your inner lioness! Come on crowd do the roar!"

Ginny intervenes: "And the Selkie was playing Possum, Dirty Snake! The constrictor move, go on shake him off!... Wait a minute! He's doing the call of the Stork… and the crowd goes wild, hear that?... the crowd is chanting, what is it?... Babies!, Babies!, Babies!"... "I'm Ginny Potter and I'm professor McGonagall and we are done!"

Hermione woke with a shock and landed on the floor in a heap of sheets. She added to herself as a revelation: "I'm screwed… I mean really screwed, I just came here for rest and relaxation, but now the question is, why am I not more concerned about being a looney?"

Morning came and Yasen woke up. For the first time in a long time, he didn't mind the birds singing, nor did he mind colors of the flower beds. For once their display did not strike him as scandalous, the scents not as pungent. He raised an eyebrow to the feeling of ease.

The Potions Master shrugged and continued with his routine. He got dressed and went out for breakfast.

It was then that Bern greeted him.

"Good morning Healer Prince."

"Morning Bern."

"You looked rested, have you done something to yourself?"

"Well, no, I haven't done anything, but if you are referring to being claimed last night by Hermione? then, yes"

"You got claimed by the gorgeous pixie scholar?... you bastard!"

Yasen laughed and Bern smiled, after a bit the administrator said:

"Don't leave her unattended, she is starting to attract males. She's a powerful witch, and bonded to a similarly powerful magical breed and wizard… she is a gem to be sought after."

"She is bonded to me..."

Bern raised a hand in a universal gesture of peace and said:

"Indeed, so tend to her."

He signalled at Hermione, who was blinking confused at the people greeting her, and asking for directions to the loo, and smiling. Yasen realized he was toast. However, a man who looked suspiciously like a former classmate, Cormac Shit for brains McLaggen, was smiling like Gilderoy Lockhart, and rustling his feathers like a Peacock, in a stupid display of Vanity.

Yasen was annoyed, but refused to display his emotions.

Bern was watching, so the Potion Master instead sent a wordless hex, and as a result the idiot vacated the table, claiming that he needed to use the restroom.

It was then that Yasen noticed Hermione looking straight at him, and then blushing prettily, while slowly smiling as she recognized his face.

Bern interrupted his thoughts. "Yasen?"

Healer Prince turned to Bern and the host added: "You're one sneaky bastard too, that customer did not need to be hexed..."

Healer Prince replied: "I don't know what you are yapping about, excuse me Bern, I have to talk to that Pixie Goddess over there."

Yasen advanced towards Hermione and greeted her:

"Good morning Hermione."

Her blush brightened, and of course Yasen smiled, making Hermione more nervous. He asked:

"May I sit?"

Hermione looked at the breathtakingly handsome male at her table and babbled confused, in a very small voice:

"Are you sure you want to sit with me?"

He arched an eyebrow and said in a surprised tone of voice:

"Yes…yes I'm sure, I want to sit and stay with you."

"Why?"

"Because it's you."

Hermione smiled again and said, "I'm famished, I was about to go choose breakfast, would you like to accompany me to the buffet?"

"Lead the way, but we better hurry, the waffles are a specialty here and the lines get crowded."

Hermione turned in surprise and added: "I love waffles, with diced strawberries and syrup... "

Yasen nodded and added: "The chocolate ones are the house specialty."

Hermione took a hold of his hand and said: "Chocolate and waffles, you lead the way..."

After they had their filling and the both were content, Yasen decided that it was better that he stated his claim, so taking a page from the Gryffindors, he said:

"I would like to formally court you Hermione."

Hermione opened her eyes as wide as saucers and said:

"Really, wow, but, but, what do you know about me?... I mean, we are complete strangers… are you certain?"

Yasen smiled, shrugged, and surprised her when he said in a casual tone.

"So what, you want to know about me? Okay, hi, my name is Yasen Prince, I'm a Capricorn. I have a mastery in Potions, I'm also a healer, Minerva is my sister, and she is a right pain in the ass when she is trying to get me to bet on Quidditch season. Ernest, her husband, is a fossil. I don't know how they got together, but the old saying goes that "birds of a feather?"... and all that nonsense?, well it's true, those two ostriches belong to one another… Like I mentioned before, I love books and long walks to collect potion ingredients, and I'm also a pretty good cook… My mother loved the idea of exotic origins and named me after a tree, my father was an idiot, hence why I tried so hard to be the opposite of an idiot, all my life… I don't have friends besides Bern, who every now and then reminds me to go strike a modelling contract, because of the hordes of brainless admirers that follow me around are damaging his gardens, while tripping in their attempts to get my attention. I love dogs, though felines have a particular fascination towards me… and no, I don't smell like fish… your turn."

Hermione laughed, then cleared her throat and said:

"Okay, sorry, um, hi Yasen, my name is Hermione Jean Granger. I'm a Virgo. I work for the muggle liaisons department, back in England. I'm studying to get my degree as a magical barrister. I've been friends with Harry and Ginny for 11 years. My mother loved Shakespeare and named me after the winter's tale heroine. I love swimming a little less than my books… can't cook for the life of me… um, I lost contact with my parents before war started… I plan to go see them once I get my barrister license… cats are my favourite pets, though dogs tend to immediately accept me. I also have a group of admirers but mostly it's a bunch of misinformed dunderheads that take the writings of Rita Skeeter too seriously… dimwits all of them, and Rita is a bitch!"

Now Yasen couldn't help it, and just laughed out loud and, as it turns, his laughter was infectious because soon, Hermione followed.

Harry and Ginny Potter arrived to the breakfast table and noticed how Hermione was laughing with Yasen Price.

Harry was surprised, it had been years since his sister in other than blood, Hermione Granger, laughed with such ease. He added to Ginny: "Ginny, I want to go to Australia and find Monica and Wendell Wilkins. I would like for Hermione to be pleasantly surprised, but I need to do it in secret?"

Ginny smiled and added: "Monica and Wendell Wilkins? are they related to Hermione?"

Harry nodded and said: "Yeah, she Obliviated her parents the Grangers, and they believed they're Monica and Wendell Wilkins. Hermione erased their memories of her, and she left them before 7th year started, the Wilkins couple left for Australia. I would like to search for them and have their memory restored... she sacrificed so much, I owe her Gin..."

Ginny smiled and said: "I owe her too, she was primordial at keeping you and Ron alive... I know that the Goblins have a really good search and retreat program, let me ask Bill, the Goblins are also good with Obliviations, but you're right... it would be a wonderful surprise."

Harry smiled and caressed his wife's cheek and said: "You do know I love you, right?"

Ginny smiled and said: "Right back at you Potter... now stop it with the puppy eyes, or I will have to kidnap you and take you to my chamber... and show you what cruel imagination I can wield as a Domina?"

Harry blushed and blinked stupidly. In a shy tone of voice he tried to conceal his enthusiasm and questioned: "Really dear, you can do that?"

She shrugged, got up and pull his hand and apparated with a crack.

On a different table, Yasen and Hermione both turned to the sound. It was then that Minnie and Ernest got to the table and cuddled. They all shared quiet looks and smiles, Ernest and Minnie ordered from the menu and Yasen added:

"Good morning to you," Ernest smiled and said to Yasen: "Good morning Healer Prince, miss Granger... sorry if we are not as chatty as per usual, the thing is we are still groggy."

Hermione added "I know exactly what you mean, rolled in a heap of sheets, puffy eyes and my hair sticking in all directions, and those flying chickens not being quiet even if you stunt them... I'm not a morning person either"

Yasen just turned and said: "So I gather that Gryffindor won last night's match?... Ernest here is groggy?"

Hermione was drinking juice as Minerva replied. "Yeah, the Sex Olympics was a success and Gryffindor got the GOLD!"

Hermione lost it and snorted her juice, while Yasen on the receiving end said: "I had to ask."

Minnie and Ernest just laughed.