A/N- Just a reminder; Harry doesn't love quidditch. He loves flying. That's demonstrated when he's on a broom, Buckbeak, and the dragon in canon. People confuse the two but his 'love' of quidditch is grossly exaggerated; he doesn't follow the sport professionally.

Lots of people presuming things about the previous chapter and how OOC Harry is and blah blah blah...did people forget they share their minds with two magical creatures who can be very, very dangerous and controlling? That one can most definitely take control of the person and the other desires to control men, manipulate them, and make them subservient to them? Because I didn't. I mean give me some credit; I haven't been focusing on Hermione's fears about what the Veela could do for no reason.

Anyway, here's 7 pages that take place the morning after the previous chapter.

Enjoy!


Apollo checked in on one of his newest young Veela to see a thoroughly destroyed room. It was good the room would vanish when they left; broken chairs, broken table, holes in the wall. So that was what happened when a werewolf and a Veela mated. In hindsight maybe he should have seen two highly controlling and aggressive creatures who both wanted power mating in a tornado of sex and violence but for some reason he'd thought things would be okay. He moved to the two teens who were lying asleep on a bed whose frame was broken. The bedsheets were ripped but they were partially covered. Enough to keep them a little warm, at least. There wasn't very much blood. Plenty of scratches on the young man's body and some bite marks on his Veela but beyond that they seemed uninjured. His Veela had always been a bit more durable than your average human; the human body was just so weak. Far too many squishy parts that could easily cause your death. The werewolves had bodies that were hard to break too. If this wolf had taken that challenge in that silly little broom game head-on he wouldn't have died; been very sore with some broken bones absolutely but he would have most certainly lived. The gods tended to keep that knowledge to themselves. Didn't need people thinking they were super-human. Just giving some of them magic made them idiots; giving more of them lycanthropy and with full knowledge of its abilities would be a very bad idea. Human beings and power went about as well together as oil and water.

The gods had long taken a passive interest in the lives of mortals but some, like himself, Ares, Hades, and Aphrodite, just couldn't help but get involved here and there. Eternity was dreadfully boring without engaging with the human race. Most magicals still looked to the gods named by the Greeks for deities; though few worshipped them they did acknowledge them. Satisfied that the two teens were alive and in good health he vanished from the room. He hoped his Veela and her mate took what had happened well. This would be a rough morning for them.


Hermione woke first and immediately groaned in pain. She felt like a giant bruise. Looking down she was horrified to see bite marks on her body. She let the sheet fall down her chest to see bite marks on her breasts, her nipples, her shoulders, arms, waist, hips, and sides. All from Harry? She looked at her boyfriend to see scratches all over his chest and arms with a couple on his face and several large and purplish bite marks on his neck. She gently nudged him, "Harry? Harry wake up."

"Five more minutes Hermione," he mumbled before his eyes shot open, "Hermione?" He looked at her body, "Wh-what happened to you?"

"What happened to us is the better question," she said. "Look at yourself." Harry did, frowning in confusion. "The last thing I remember is us arguing about quidditch. I was saying I'd rather love you in one piece than several because you'd have to take all the injuries the wolf can prevent and that's all that I remember."

Harry did remember that but there was more to that conversation, "Wait so you don't remember basically scolding me about my playing quidditch and how much it upsets you and how I don't think about your feelings and then sticking your hand in my pants?"

Hermione closed her eyes as she tried to think back. She couldn't. But it felt similar to the feeling of trying to enter Harry's mind when they'd been learning Occlumency together. "Harry the Veela is keeping me out of a portion of my mind. Why would she do that?"

Fast thinking wasn't Harry's strongest suit but fortunately there only seemed to be one answer and it was one that made sense to him. If Hermione wasn't Hermione and was someone like Molly Weasley, at least. "The Veela was trying to gain dominance over the wolf," he said.

"So she guilted you knowing that with your past refusing me anything would make you worry you'd lose me," Hermione reasoned. "She's very manipulative."

"That means all these marks and scratches weren't us making love but the two of them fighting for dominance in our relationship," Harry said. "If they were flesh and blood I'd kill them."

"Me too," Hermione frowned, glaring at an unseen object, "slowly." She looked back at Harry, "Please tell me everything you remember about last night."

And Harry did, word for word, stopping only where his own mind did, when Hermione's hand had gone down his pants. When he finished he looked at Hermione, "I feel kind of violated. The Veela flat-out took possession of you and abused our relationship and your knowledge of me to her gain."

Hermione was fighting back tears. The one thing in her life that she valued more than any other was Harry. The Veela had risked her relationship with him for her own gain. Harry wrapped his arms around her, "I'm not mad at you Hermione."

"N-no it's just," she lost the fight and the tears poured forth freely, "my biggest fear came true. The Veela used me to push our relationship somewhere we didn't want it to go. I would never try to emotionally blackmail you to do something like that Harry. Make you do extra credit for a snog, yes, but never threaten you with our entire relationship and now…how can you even want to be near me after what she's done?"

Harry lifted her head to look him in the eye, "Because I love you Hermione. I'm really angry and frustrated and scared but I love you. You told me when I became a werewolf that I was still me. You're still you too. You're still the girl I fell in love with; you just seem to be sharing a brain with someone who is without a doubt a Slytherin through and through." She smiled through the tears and Harry kissed her. She closed her eyes and returned the kiss, smiling into it when Harry pushed her back onto the bed. Last night they'd been robbed. It wouldn't be happening this time.


When they collapsed into bed exhausted they immediately snuggled close. "I think those books and magazines we got really helped," Harry mumbled as he adjusted his position to be more comfortable.

"Agreed," Hermione sighed, resting her head on his chest and smiling as his arms wrapped around her. "The room is a disaster."

"The wolf and Veela are really violent," Harry said. "I think we need to work out what to do about them. That book of yours never mentioned what happened last night. My book never mentioned mine can take over when it isn't the full moon."

"Maybe it's because we're together," Hermione mused. "I mean the Veela and the wolf are both masters of the mind, right? They want to size each other up but you haven't turned yet. The wolf forced itself into control without the transformation to learn about its opponent."

"This is so incredibly messed up and weird," Harry sighed. "What do we do first?"

A plan. Hermione was good at those. "First we treat our wounds and then we take a shower. Presuming they didn't destroy that too."

"Can we have sex in the shower?"

"Harry!"

"What? Maybe us shagging will shut them both up. We get to make love and they keep their whatever-they-have to themselves."

"And that hypothesis would have to be tested by a control period of no sex."

"Already did that love," Harry winked. "Looking around it wasn't the best plan."

"It wasn't even a plan," Hermione said, resting her head on the pillow next to him, "but you did make me feel really good and I don't see why we couldn't enjoy a shower that might get a bit longer than usual."

"Fantastic," he smiled. "If you teach me that healing spell you used on my wolf bite I can cast it on you. Wait, you won't turn will you?"

"Veela, vampire, or werewolf. You can only ever be one. There are no vampiric werewolves because the diseases, parasites, gifts, whatever you want to call them can't co-exist."

"In the same mind or relationship?" Harry asked.

"The same mind. The relationship has mostly been going well."

"Maybe the Veela wants to play the field," Harry theorized. "If we broke up over quidditch you could date whoever."

"While it's possible," Hermione conceded, "I don't think that would work."

"How do you mean?"

"Veela are loyal to their mates. I think what was really going on was that the Veela wanted to get a chance to seize a man she could control with her powers. Veela can do that with any man but their mate. Most people don't meet their mate as early as we did."

"So she's petulant because she can't seduce men and control them," Harry sighed. "Like a bloody child who isn't getting the toy they want at the store."

"Exactly," Hermione nodded.

Harry smiled and kissed her, "Well you're mine and I'm yours and screw them."

"Hopefully us finally being intimate will make the Veela behave," she said. "Although we might have to be together quite often."

"Because that's such a tragedy?" Harry asked, nudging her playfully.

She gave a coy smile, "I wouldn't go that far. Maybe a minor inconvenience."

"Inconvenience huh? I have to get you for that," he said, tickling her sides.

"H-Harry! No!" Hermione wiggled as she laughed, trying to get away from Harry as he grinned.


The tickle fight lasted a bit before Hermione dragged Harry out of the bed and to the bathroom. It was intact, much to their approval. "It looks like the one in the hut," Hermione said.

He smiled, "Time to test out that shower?"

"First we need to clean our wounds and heal ourselves. I'd rather enjoy a shower with you without the evidence of our traitorous counterparts all over our bodies," she said. "Wouldn't you?"

Harry nodded. Seeing his Hermione with bite marks all over her body did not appeal to him. The fact that they couldn't remember last night's encounter irritated him and the sooner the evidence of it was gone the sooner he would feel better. Hermione kissed him. "What's that for?"

"Not letting me hate myself or holding the Veela against me."

"Remember when you were entering the common room and Dean helped you through the portrait hole and I got so possessive I left bruises on your thigh from holding onto you too tightly?"

"Yes," she nodded. That had been before they'd left Hogwarts for the summer.

"You didn't hold that against me even though I hated myself for harming you. I thought for sure you'd leave me but instead you just hugged me and told me it'd be alright, that I was still learning about the wolf and how to control it."

"Well you were," she said.

"Yeah but that doesn't change what happened. And now it's my turn to say that you're still learning about the Veela and our relationship isn't one that's existed before so there are added difficulties we have to learn about together."

"My mate is a very smart man," she smiled, taking her wand and casting the healing spell onto his injuries from the previous night. "I like it."

"I'm glad," Harry smiled. "I love you," he whispered.

Hermione kissed him on the lips before looking at his body, "This is going to take a good amount of time."

"Teach me the spell as you go," Harry said, "so that I can learn." She nodded and talked him through it as she healed each scratch. In total it took her twenty minutes, then it was Harry's turn.


Once they were finished they shared a smile as they entered the shower. "You do good work Hermione," Harry said, gazing at his body as the water fell onto him.

"You do too Harry," she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him against her, "I believe I promised you shower sex."

Harry didn't even have time to grin before her lips were on his. His hands moved to her hips and he pulled her flush against him. Her hand slid between them and gently squeezed him making Harry groan into her mouth. It only took a few strokes to have him standing at attention. Harry's lips left hers and he picked her up. The cool shower tile pressing into her back had Hermione shivering. Harry's mouth moved to her neck, "I'll warm you up," he promised.

She smiled and slipped one leg around his waist, pulling him against her, "I love you."


There wasn't much conversation during their shower, though there were plenty of groans, moans, and Hermione screamed Harry's name towards the end. Then they cleaned up and exited. They'd been gone a long time and needed to get back to the tower. Winky and Dobby popped them back to their beds so they could get dressed. Hermione glanced at a clock and was relieved to see that it was still early; it was entirely possible no one noticed. She noticed Winky had pulled her bed curtains closed and Hermione decided to play along with her usual wakeup traditions. She gathered her clothes and shower things and got ready for the day.

When she exited the bathroom dressed and ready to go down to breakfast Lavender and Parvati were just waking up. "You were out late. We have news to tell you."

"Harry and I took a walk and we got back late," Hermione said automatically before blinking and looking at them, "What news?"

Lavender grinned, "Neville has a girlfriend!"

"Hannah Abbott," Parvati added.

"Our Neville?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Yes," they nodded. That was shocking. Neville was incredibly shy. That he would have a girlfriend when he could barely look at a girl almost defied belief.

"Wow," Hermione said. "Good for Neville, I guess. Is he excited?"
"More like terrified," Parvati answered. "Apparently it happened without his knowledge." Hermione smiled. That sounded more like Neville. He was so skittish around people in general.

She said goodbye to the girls and walked downstairs to see Harry sitting on the arm of the chair. "Hey you," she smiled.

"Hey yourself," Harry grinned, standing up and kissing her, "I missed you."

"Neville has a girlfriend," she told him.

"Really? Neville?"

"Really. Neville," she nodded.

"Huh," Harry tilted his head in thought, "does Neville know he has a girlfriend?"

"Apparently he recently learned he does," Hermione said.

"That makes more sense," Harry chuckled. "Can I take my girlfriend to breakfast?"

"Of course you can," she smiled. "I could definitely eat. Feeling rather famished."

Harry grinned. He was the reason she was famished. He liked that. They exited the portrait hole together and headed downstairs, "Dean and Seamus were awake after my shower. They didn't notice how long we were gone."

"Neither did Parvati and Lavender. Tonight will be harder."

Harry nodded. That night was the night of the full moon. "Dobby already has our path worked out. We'll be okay."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

Harry contemplated that for a few minutes. "I think this time yes. And about our discussion last night…I think some important points were brought up. I'm rather…durable…and it's impossible to feign injury with Madame Pomfrey."

"Meaning what?"

"Well if I still play I'm going to have to be really careful, which won't win us matches. The fairest thing to do would be to quit," Harry said.

"You're sure?" Hermione looked at him, concerned. For her it'd be a relief to not have to sit there and worry as he was targeted by other teams but she really wanted it to be Harry's decision.

"I love flying. Quidditch is really just a means to the end. As far as sports go watching it is really hard. Where are you supposed to look? The chasers? The beaters? The seeker? It's so busy. And really one-sided. I mean, my team can be doing horribly and if I catch the snitch we can still win. That's stupid."

Hermione stared at Harry, surprised. She knew he wasn't quidditch mad but she'd always thought he loved the sport. "Why do you play if you don't love it?"

Harry stopped walking, "Honestly in our first year I didn't really feel I had a choice. It was join the team or get sent home from Hogwarts in my eyes. I didn't want to leave the school. I was scared."

Hermione pulled Harry into a comforting hug, "Oh Harry," she whispered. Then she pulled away, curious, "What about the World Cup?"

"I liked going to the World Cup but it's like I told the twins; everything before the game was way better than the actual game," Harry shrugged. "If I got to choose between hanging out with Dean and Seamus and playing quidditch the choice would be easy."

An eyebrow rose as she asked, "Why am I not listed?"

"You're always an easy choice," he smiled. "I love being around you."

She smiled and kissed him, "Very smooth Mr. Potter."

"Why thank you Miss Granger," he winked. "Let's go get breakfast."


At breakfast Harry walked over to Angelina to talk to her. When he finished his story about wanting to quit the team because he'd never been incredibly into quidditch in the first place she gazed at him, "Harry how did you get put on the team?"

Harry told her the whole story about the Remembrall and Malfoy and then him thinking that 'Wood' was what McGonagall was going to use to beat him and his fear of leaving Hogwarts. Angelina nodded as he talked. "I had a feeling that was it. Oliver and McGonagall never give room for other people's opinions when it comes to quidditch. And as a scared first year…well I'm amazed you stuck it out this long."

"Oliver can be rather scary," Harry said. "But after yesterday when I nearly died…Hermione and I had a long talk about it last night and some more this morning and I don't feel like dying playing a game I've always felt bullied into."

Angelina nodded. "I understand that Harry. Could I maybe get you to stay on the team in a non-playing capacity? I need help training a new seeker."

Harry smiled, "I'd be happy to do that. Will the team be upset with me?"

"Katie, Alicia, and I were terrified watching you and Cedric flying at each other. They'll understand; maybe even be supportive. The twins were always being pushed around by Oliver so I'm sure they'll understand. Lee is new but he's followed this team his entire career; he'll be okay with it. The rest of Gryffindor, I'm not so sure about."

"I know it's going to be difficult to find a new seeker after we've already played. But I can't rely on luck to keep me alive; especially since for the most part my luck is bad."

Angelina nodded her head, "We'll work something out. Our next game is in March so we have a large amount of time to find a new seeker."

Harry let out a breath, "Thanks Angelina."

He moved to get up when Angelina grabbed his arm, "You know, seekers make good commentators. You should consider taking over that position. It'd certainly make it easier on Lee. He doesn't like his replacement. You read the game well Harry and I think you'd be good as a commentator. Plus it's safe; McGonagall is in the box with you so any rogue bludgers are easily dealt with."

Harry rather liked that idea. It would soften the blow on Dean and Seamus and maybe keep the rest of the school off his back; and having seen Match of the Day and football matches at Hermione's house that summer he had certainly seen and heard commentators at work. It seemed like interesting work. And if he told McGonagall he was interested in commentating maybe that'd keep his Head of House off of his back. "How do I apply for that job?"

"The headmaster makes that decision Harry," Angelina answered, "he's the most neutral person in authority."

Harry's eyes widened, "Wait, he chose Lee?"

Angelina laughed, "I think he liked Lee's colorful, inappropriate remarks which peppered his commentary. But yes he did. Lee just had a meeting with him in his office and that was that." Harry nodded. That sounded good. He'd do that.


Dobby arranged a meeting after breakfast for Harry, who kissed Hermione goodbye before he headed up to the headmaster's office. He couldn't remember the last time he was alone with Dumbledore. It felt rather weird. "Ah Mr. Potter," he heard as he entered the office. "Dobby the elf says that you want to discuss the position of quidditch commentator?"

"Yes sir," Harry nodded. "I would like to quit the team and apply for the job. After I nearly collided with Cedric yesterday…I've nearly died playing quidditch each year of school. First year it was Voldemort, second year it was a rogue bludger, and last year it was Dementors. This year it was another student. Cedric didn't mean it but we both could have died."

Dumbledore tilted his head, "I thought you liked playing the game."

"Sir to be perfectly honest the game is weird. Each goal is 10 points each but a single player chasing a single ball separate from the game decides the winner? It's absurd," Harry said. Then he swallowed, "Sir, a footy match is 90 minutes. Why can't a quidditch game be that long? Why must it be either 10 minutes or 10 days? People have lives. They have families. They can't sit and watch a ten day quidditch match."

"An excellent point Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said. "Of course those at the Ministry are not eager to change rules that have been in place for so long."

"Sir I think a good deal of the magical world is like that. They wouldn't even make the killing curse illegal until it was an economic issue; never mind the fact that people were dying. That didn't matter. Losing money did."

Dumbledore just nodded. He gazed at Harry for a moment, "I do think our new commentator won't work out. I presume you have discussed this with Miss Johnson?"

"Angelina understands. She actually suggested I do the commentary. Said it'd soften the blow for Gryffindor."

Dumbledore certainly knew how quidditch-mad the students could be. It was why he hadn't cancelled the sport despite the tournament being at Hogwarts. He quite agreed with Angelina Johnson; there would be backlash with Harry quitting the team and him being a commentator might be enough to soothe those tempers. At least somewhat. "Mr. Potter did you know what quidditch was when you joined the team?"

"No sir," Harry answered.

"Were you given a choice in joining?"

"Uh, no sir," he answered. "Well, yes actually. I believe my choices were leave Hogwarts or join the team. At least, that was my understanding of it at the time."

"I feared as much. Professor McGonagall can be quite…demanding," Dumbledore said. "I will have a word with her myself Mr. Potter. You need not speak to her on this matter. Had you come to me with this your first year I would have dealt with the situation."

"To be honest sir your reputation, even what little I knew, made you quite intimidating my first year."

"Would it have helped if I spent more time among the student body?"

Harry nodded in the affirmative. "Yes sir."

"I think that's an excellent suggestion Mr. Potter. I will do just that. As far as I'm concerned you have the role of commentator." Harry got up to leave and Dumbledore waved his hand, curtains falling over the portraits of the former headmasters. Harry was nearly to the door when Dumbledore spoke, "Mr. Potter I understand your desire to keep your lycanthropy quiet and I certainly applaud your bravery in protecting Miss Granger from Professor Lupin but if you harm a student I cannot help you." Harry froze. He turned to look at Dumbledore, his eyes wide in fear and surprise.