A/N: Sooo….this chapter. It gets suggestive. But I still stick by the T rating. Also, I am horrid at writing like this. Please forgive me. Also, I think the next chapter will be the last! I only planned on this story being 3 chapters originally, so it has already lasted longer than intended. Hope you enjoy it all the same!

His touch was electric, and I was helpless. Addicted. I was unaware of anything but his hands. Not the bookshelves that surrounded us, or the posters of authors that were old and decrepit—things I always noticed and tended to on any normal day. But now, there was nothing but his hands that explored areas that made my head light. I should have been used to this by now. After all, it seemed to be Nicholas' favorite past time…but it had been taken to another level. The bookstore brought on a renewed sense of danger. It was already risky to be screwing a Snatcher, but at work? It was scandalous. Scabior truly did bring out the devil in me.

He laughed, deep and throaty. "Like that do you, sweet'eart?" He pressed his lips to my bare collarbone, sending shivers down my spine.

"Sh-shut up," I murmured, not meaning it in the slightest. I just could not form a more coherent sentence.

"Now, now. You don't mean that love." His lips made contact with my jawbone, and then traveled down. I could tell he savored every shiver I gave, or any tiny sound made involuntarily. He relished in it. A kiss on my jugular. I took his head in my hands and kissed him without reservation. All the walls I had put up that were shaking so precariously crumbled to the ground, and I knew this was surrender. My lips moved against his hurriedly, greedily. It was as if I needed him to merely exist. He flicked his wand towards the door, an afterthought. I barely heard the 'click' of the lock as he began to disrobe; my heart was beating at an alarming rate, and I was beginning to feel impatient. I reached for his jacket and helped him shrug out of it. I unbuttoned his shirt, growling in exasperation when the fasteners decided to be stubborn. Just as I was ready, letting go, obstacles were thrown in the way.

"Mara." The way he said my voice, a soft and adoring purr, made me go mad. "There's no 'urry love." But I could see in his eyes that he was amused by my desire. But he wanted it just as much, and he continued helping me.

Finally, there were no barriers left. Nothing to stop us. Nothing. There was a moment where our eyes locked on each other, almost shy. But that would soon be lost to untamable passion…

"Mara? Mara?"

Someone shook me, and my eyes opened wide in shock.

"Are you alright?" It was Kennedy. Frank was still sleeping, but she was preparing a modest breakfast for us all. "Heard you moaning in your sleep. Feeling alright?"

A blush crept up my neck. She'd heard me…but she thought I was ill.

"Fine. Thanks."

"I'm going to keep making breakfast. Fetch me if you need me."

I got into a sitting position and stared at the ground. It had felt so real. For the span of the dream, I swore he'd been there with me. It was more than a dream—it was a memory.

Suddenly my heart ached. We'd been on the run for a week, and I missed Nicholas Scabior more than I'd imagined. I hadn't realized how much his touch fulfilled me, or how whispered words in my ear made me feel confident and assured of everything. I felt more alone than ever.

I brought my knees up to my chin and hugged my legs. How much longer would it be before I would see him?

But that was a foolish thing to ponder. Surely if I did see him, it would mean we'd been caught.

Kennedy brought me a bit of breakfast.

"Sorry it's not much. I found some berries, and I brought a loaf of bread. I suppose it'll have to do." The berries were mashed into a paste and spread across the toast in a thin layer. "It's not half bad, actually." She paused and watched me take a bite; she looked nervous.

"It's good!" It was better than anything we'd had so far. We'd been nowhere near town, but we were getting there. Surely there's be more opportunities there.

"I-I brought some money. Before I stopped in to get you, I took a side trip to Gringott's. I loaded up. So when we get somewhere, I can pick some things up for us. It'll have to be me, I'm afraid. You're the one they're really after, after all. And Frank…" She looked over at his stirring form with a look of such deep affection, I felt the need to glance away. The way she looked at him and said his name caused the empty loneliness to resurge. "Well, he can't exactly go out there. He's got a price on his head as well." Frank tossed and turned a bit, and then a groan, muffle by blankets, because audible.

"What time is it?" He slurred as he stretched and sat upright.

"9 in the morning, sweetie." She smiled at him as he tried to shake the sleep away. They were cute together. I wondered if they had always had a little something going on ever since their tryst in Hogsmeade, or if this was just a happy coincidence. Either way, I was happy for them.

"Are you okay, Mara? You look sad."

"Oh…I'm just feeling sad. Having to leave everything behind."

"But you didn't leave anything behind. No parents, lousy job…" Frank spoke.

"Frank," Kennedy chided softly. "The job wasn't lousy. At least she had one. Most people aren't lucky enough to have one these days with the state Diagon Alley is in. Mara, I know many of your…friends…looked down upon your job. They didn't think it was a proper reflection upon Slytherin house, my father included. But I think you're just fine anyways. It has nothing to do with the person you are."

"The person I am? I don't even know who I am, Kennedy. I've been lying ever since I turned eleven! Frank says I didn't have parents to leave behind. Guess what? I did. I just never spoke with them. But they're out there. And mum? She tries to contact me regularly. I just don't respond. I was beginning to believe the lie myself. But this has really kicked me in the ass."

"But you're better than them! At least you don't have this goddamn mark on your arm!" Kennedy was nearly in tears, her arm extended to present the hideous tattoo to me. "I feel sick, tainted! I can't get rid of it ever! You're better than this."

"Kennedy…" I sighed. "You're better than that too. You were coerced by your own father. You're no Death Eater, no matter how much he might fantasize you to be. You've run away from that. That says something."

I reached out to Kennedy and embraced her. I tried to make her feel comforted, but it was hard considering how unstable I was at the moment.

"So…what's on the agenda for the day?" Frank asked when we broke apart, quickly taking my spot and putting his arm around Kennedy's waist protectively.

"Oh, you know, sit around and hope no one finds us…" Kennedy said, rolling her eyes.

"Sounds like a blast." I chuckled, though it was half-hearted and hollow-sounding.